Firefighting Tankers and Bombers

[kick Z tail out]

This is my all-time favorite from back in 07. Lens was backed off to 48mm 

That dog is looking like "what the heck is that?!" 


Here is the recent retardant drop I had rain down on me. The second shot is literally .5 seconds before it started landing on me.

[NikonGuy]

Cool shots, Nate!            

[kick Z tail out]

WOW  


I was sitting upstairs in my office (about 3:35pm) and the entire house started to shake. I practically yanked the blinds out of my window trying to see what the heck it was and... there was the Mars passing directly out my window at about 800 feet on a downwind leg to skim Diamond Valley Lake. I practically crapped myself and grabbed my camera.   By the time I figured out the lens cap was still on, and got my camera to autofocus through the blinds it was already a half mile away and starting to turn on final to the lake.

I flew down the stairs, grabbed my truck keys and hauled ass through the neighborhood heading towards the lake. Once out of the neighborhood I raced towards the west end of the lake. Amazingly, I was able to catch up quite a bit considering I had to run downstairs, jump in my truck and hit the highway. As I got halfway there, it was just getting back into the air after running the entire 4.5 mile length of the reservoir. I saw a helicopter with it, obviously theirs.

What's hilarious is that as it lumbered through the air headed northbound I tried to catch up with it in my truck, and was actually getting closer.   That's funny. But finally the road wasn't cooperating and I was heading WNW while he headed due N. He headed off in the direction of March ARB. I grabbed my cell phone and hit up trusty Goog 411, called the Marina and asked if they saw the flying boat. I asked if it would be coming back and they said no, they were just doing a test to see if they liked the lake. Dangit. If only I knew it was coming I would have had my blinds open and camera ready.  

[NikonGuy]

lol I hate that when it happens to me... but it seems like you went pretty far to try to catch it.   

[kick Z tail out]

Cool shots, Nate!            

Thanks brother!


Here are some crappy ones of what just happened out my window.  

[kick Z tail out]

lol I hate that when it happens to me... but it seems like you went pretty far to try to catch it.   

Yeah it sucks.  It was a 6 mile round trip or so before I decided to head back towards the Marina to see if I could get in. Then when they said it wouldn't be coming back I headed home in defeat.

I could always go to Lake Elsinore like all the guys that are actually working for the shot, but I thought it was neat that there it was, right over my backyard. 

[NikonGuy]

Well at least you got 2 shots to prove that it was flying right over your house lol          

[kick Z tail out]

Well at least you got 2 shots to prove that it was flying right over your house lol          

[kick Z tail out]

Ugh... I KNEW I couldn't trust that lady!!!!!! I was leaving the house 45 minutes ago to go get some shots developed and there it was AGAIN!!! Flew right over my house and then landed on the lake... then took back off. Lying lady!!!! 

[kick Z tail out]

Moments after that last post, it went over again. A 3rd time. Shot out my office window again... this time the camera wasn't far away. Still not a great shot... cropped a bit and stupid screen is in the way. And no time to attempt prop blur of any kind. They're fine tuning their approach to the lake as they get used to it. The ground track isn't as close to my backyard as it was the first time.

I'm formulating a guesstimate in my head here... with it heading in the direction of March ARB, with a turnaround of about 45 minutes... I'm guessing they're going to Lake Matthews, touch and go on that lake, then returning. Flying circuits between the two.

[NikonGuy]

Not a bad shot Nate... 

[kick Z tail out]

Not a bad shot Nate...  

Now you're just being nice. Never a bad thing though. *hug*


There may have been a fire... I don't know. I saw a Cal Fire S-2 coming back in to Hemet also. But it was the only time, so it couldn't have been much of one...

I did get out there and finally managed to put myself in a good spot to grab some shots. Turned out to be the last trip to our lake. Cool plane!! The thing is so slow and lumbering it almost looks like it's hanging in mid air. 

[Josh]

You sure are one persistent photographer. Sheesh. Good work!

[kick Z tail out]

Thanks Josh  

Here's a couple more recent shots from last week. Tanker 73 and 72 working a fire into the late hours of the evening. As dark as it was, I was shocked when they went out one more time after this!

[gfydad]

Great catches on the Mars!