Weather in the Tropical North

Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
edited January 26, 2007 in Landscapes
This time of the year is called the WET season. We can get up to 6 inches of rain every day for weeks at a time. Our average rainfall is something like 14 feet and it all comes between November and March. For the rest of the year we have no rain at all.

My day job is a Pilot flying people around the north of Australia. I have just landed and the weather was good, so I took the camera to try to get some aerial shots of the comet. Unfortunately, I did not see the comet, but I did take these>

17-35 AFS @ 17, 1/1600 f8.0 ISO200
Mark
Darwin, Australia
Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/

Comments

  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    This was just at sunset and the sky was a lovely blue.

    17-35 @ 17 1/200 f8.0 ISO 320
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    The just before I had to get back and fly the aircraft, we passed a Thunderstorm that was lighting up the night sky. I was at 23000 feet and this guy topped out at 45000 feet.

    17-35 @ 17, 1/15, f2.8, ISO 200
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    17 - 35 @ 17, 1/10, f2.8, ISO 200
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • Scotty_RScotty_R Registered Users Posts: 108 Major grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    Not only am I impressed that you can fly a plane and take pictures at the same time, but such good pictures to boot. All of them are fine examples, but the first one is my favorite...lovely.
    Scotty
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 22, 2007
    Those are great. Number 3 is awesome! clap.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • ajroahkniajroahkni Registered Users Posts: 82 Big grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    thumb.gifWOW - #3...

    How close are you to that formation? It looks as if the lightning is contained/trapped in that cloud, and trying to explode it's way out.

    Can you hear/feel the concussion of the thunder at that distance?

    Amazing shots!

    John
    John Araki
    http://jaraki.smugmug.com
  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    We where about 5nm from the action.

    I have only heard thunder once in an aircraft. If you hear it, you are normally inside it and that is one place you try not to be.

    Thanks for the comments.
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    Blonde Moment wrote:
    The just before I had to get back and fly the aircraft, we passed a Thunderstorm that was lighting up the night sky. I was at 23000 feet and this guy topped out at 45000 feet.

    17-35 @ 17, 1/15, f2.8, ISO 200

    That has got to be one of the coolest weather shots I have ever seen. WOW!

    Quite a while ago I read a book (fiction) about the diamond trade and it focused on a fictional diamond mine near Darwin. Basically middle of nowhere...like you had to get the jeep in Darwin then you drove out for a couple days. It talked about build-up and the wet season. Sounds crazy! (Though I'm sure it's a bit over done since it IS ficiton.) A good friend of mine is flying back to Adelaide tomorrow, but he spent some time on a dig (archeological) in Darwin last year, and he took some pictures of snakes, crocs, and TERMITE mounds. Luckily he brought me back a t-shirt, not critters. :) I'd love to see more shots from you and I hope you get a chance to see McNaught!
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • christulkchristulk Registered Users Posts: 453 Major grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    Fantastic shots - 3 wins, what a cracker!
    Can't quite make out the aircraft, what is it?
    C&C always welcomed.

    Cheers

    Chris

    http://christulk.smugmug.com

    'alot' is two words "a_______lot":D
  • Marc MuenchMarc Muench Registered Users Posts: 1,420 Major grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    Blonde Moment wrote:
    The just before I had to get back and fly the aircraft, we passed a Thunderstorm that was lighting up the night sky. I was at 23000 feet and this guy topped out at 45000 feet.

    17-35 @ 17, 1/15, f2.8, ISO 200
    Great shot!
    This is a fantastic view of our earth.
    Marc Muench
    Muench Workshops
    MW on Facebook
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    First one id good but number 3 is fantastic. clap.gifclap.gif
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Aircraft is an Embraer Brasilia. 30 seat pressurised turboprop. Company website: www.airnorth.com.au
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • JWilbur26JWilbur26 Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Blonde Moment wrote:
    The just before I had to get back and fly the aircraft, we passed a Thunderstorm that was lighting up the night sky. I was at 23000 feet and this guy topped out at 45000 feet.

    17-35 @ 17, 1/15, f2.8, ISO 200


    I Love this shot. Do you see stuff like this often?
    www.sunshinestatephotography.com

    "There are 3 kinds of people in this world...those who can count, and those who can't" :scratch
    ~Anonymous

    Please feel free to edit my images...I can only learn from it.
  • salazarsalazar Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Blonde Moment wrote:
    The just before I had to get back and fly the aircraft, we passed a Thunderstorm that was lighting up the night sky. I was at 23000 feet and this guy topped out at 45000 feet.

    17-35 @ 17, 1/15, f2.8, ISO 200
    #3 & 4 Wow! How many shots did it take to time the lightning flash?
    Please feel free to retouch and repost my images. Critique, Suggestions, and Technique tips always welcomed. Thanks for your interest.
  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Only took about 6 shots of the lightning as we where doing over 300 knots.

    I would have liked a longer exposure, but hand held in a moving aircraft makes that impossible.
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • Blonde MomentBlonde Moment Registered Users Posts: 90 Big grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Here is another of the same thunderstorm before I went passed it and took the lightning images.

    It only took 11 minutes to get from this shot until I took #3 of the first series.
    Mark
    Darwin, Australia
    Nikon D2X, F5, 17-35 AFS f2.8, 50AFD f1.4, 50 AFD f1.8, 85 AFD f1.4, 200 AFS VR f2, SB800, Metz 60-CT1
    http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/html/compare.htm
    http://www.travelnt.com/en/explore/darwin/
  • ElaineElaine Registered Users Posts: 3,532 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Wow!!! Love #3 especially! Really unique view that most of us don't get to see. Thanks for sharing!

    Elaine
    Elaine

    Comments and constructive critique always welcome!

    Elaine Heasley Photography
  • jdryan3jdryan3 Registered Users Posts: 1,353 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    #3 is definitely a 'wow' shot, but I think #1 printed large (18" x24") and well framed would look great....

    ... in my house! bowdown.gifbowdown.gif
    "Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to. Oh well."
    -Fleetwood Mac
  • frankensteinfrankenstein Registered Users Posts: 57 Big grins
    edited January 24, 2007
    Mark, these are all great shots, but the first one is a ripper! I love the subtle lighting across the water and the way my eye is led back to the horizon. Magic!

    Frank
    My photo gallery
  • toberstobers Registered Users Posts: 180 Major grins
    edited January 26, 2007
    #3 OMG that is incredible. I'm a bit of a fan of the weather and that really is awesome.

    Any chance of getting rid of the wing on the left?
  • Allen MaestasAllen Maestas Registered Users Posts: 40 Big grins
    edited January 26, 2007
    Amazing images, this is a perspective not everyone gets :)

    Al
    Allen
    www.photosofnewmexico.com
    canon 40D
  • christulkchristulk Registered Users Posts: 453 Major grins
    edited January 26, 2007
    tobers wrote:
    #3 OMG that is incredible. I'm a bit of a fan of the weather and that really is awesome.

    Any chance of getting rid of the wing on the left?


    Might be a bit hard to fly then...
    mwink.gif
    C&C always welcomed.

    Cheers

    Chris

    http://christulk.smugmug.com

    'alot' is two words "a_______lot":D
  • toberstobers Registered Users Posts: 180 Major grins
    edited January 26, 2007
    Mmmm - good point, well argued.
  • gusgus Registered Users Posts: 16,209 Major grins
    edited January 26, 2007
    tobers wrote:
    Mmmm - good point, well argued.
    Yeah...its always about them 'eh ? lol3.gif

    Great shot there mark !
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