Re: Helicopter Photos

[Guest guest]

Tom,

This is more or less a new thing. The main base where they used to do a lot of this, which was located about half an hour west of here, was closed down in the last few years. That pretty much leaves them with Fort Lee to practice from in this area. I haven't read any details about this training cycle, but they are probably using the little civilian airstrip as part of it. We aren't exactly in line for that flight path, but helicopters have been circling around for a few hours each afternoon. It also wouldn't surprise me if they hadn't noticed me out there taking pictures which would be why they flew right overhead that one time. Too bad the sun was in the way and all but one of those shots was ruined. The neighbors did say that they waved one time and saw one of the crew waving back.

If they come back tomorrow I will try to get some more shots. I'm not used to getting moving targets so it is a learning experience for me as well. Unfortunately, it didn't dawn on me until after the helicopters had left for the day that my digital camera also shoots video. If they come back tomorrow I'll try to get some video and post it. Most likely that will have to go in the files rather than photo section though.

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. They weren't easy to get because of the trees, low altitude and relatively high speed at which they were flying. The pics are mostly have been enlarged on the computer. I learned the hard way that the helicopters didn't always fly in straight lines and zooming in could cause a missed shot if they backed toward me. So I had to use fairly wide angle and crop the shots. The pictures also don't quite to justice to how low they were. The pine trees around here are about 100 to 120 feet tall. The machines weren't more than twice that high, so figure 300 feet up, though they were probably a little lower in that one where it is coming right over the tree toward me. That was the second on in the flight, BTW: the first one came out blurry and the sun also got the rest of the shots.

I'm not sure if it is the same couple of helicopters or if there are many. Because my camera is a 4.1 megapixel, I can't enlarge the pictures enough to see if there are any numbers and markings. If it wasn't for the fact that I would hate to stop using a perfectly good camera, I'd buy the newer 6.1 megapixel with the stability feature.

[Guest guest]

Tom,

This is more or less a new thing. The main base where they used to do a lot of this, which was located about half an hour west of here, was closed down in the last few years. That pretty much leaves them with Fort Lee to practice from in this area. I haven't read any details about this training cycle, but they are probably using the little civilian airstrip as part of it. We aren't exactly in line for that flight path, but helicopters have been circling around for a few hours each afternoon. It also wouldn't surprise me if they hadn't noticed me out there taking pictures which would be why they flew right overhead that one time. Too bad the sun was in the way and all but one of those shots was ruined. The neighbors did say that they waved one time and saw one of the crew waving back.

If they come back tomorrow I will try to get some more shots. I'm not used to getting moving targets so it is a learning experience for me as well. Unfortunately, it didn't dawn on me until after the helicopters had left for the day that my digital camera also shoots video. If they come back tomorrow I'll try to get some video and post it. Most likely that will have to go in the files rather than photo section though.

Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. They weren't easy to get because of the trees, low altitude and relatively high speed at which they were flying. The pics are mostly have been enlarged on the computer. I learned the hard way that the helicopters didn't always fly in straight lines and zooming in could cause a missed shot if they backed toward me. So I had to use fairly wide angle and crop the shots. The pictures also don't quite to justice to how low they were. The pine trees around here are about 100 to 120 feet tall. The machines weren't more than twice that high, so figure 300 feet up, though they were probably a little lower in that one where it is coming right over the tree toward me. That was the second on in the flight, BTW: the first one came out blurry and the sun also got the rest of the shots.

I'm not sure if it is the same couple of helicopters or if there are many. Because my camera is a 4.1 megapixel, I can't enlarge the pictures enough to see if there are any numbers and markings. If it wasn't for the fact that I would hate to stop using a perfectly good camera, I'd buy the newer 6.1 megapixel with the stability feature.

[Guest guest]

,

Those are cool pictures, and they must be especially cool to you since

you are a military buff.

We have the ocassional helicopter fly to the hospital nearby, but what

is really cool is when the President comes to visit. They have

helicopters hovering over the house to watch the expressways when that

happens. I wouldn't dare try to take pictures of them for fear they

would take me for a terrorist or somenthing, but they are neat to

watch.

Tom

Administrator

For those who are interested, I've posted a few pictures of the

helicopters that have been flying around here the last couple of days.

Since this is all part of a training rotation, there will could well be

more to come.

Here is the link.

http://health.ph./group//photos/browse/

6

873

[Guest guest]

,

Those are cool pictures, and they must be especially cool to you since

you are a military buff.

We have the ocassional helicopter fly to the hospital nearby, but what

is really cool is when the President comes to visit. They have

helicopters hovering over the house to watch the expressways when that

happens. I wouldn't dare try to take pictures of them for fear they

would take me for a terrorist or somenthing, but they are neat to

watch.

Tom

Administrator

For those who are interested, I've posted a few pictures of the

helicopters that have been flying around here the last couple of days.

Since this is all part of a training rotation, there will could well be

more to come.

Here is the link.

http://health.ph./group//photos/browse/

6

873

[Guest guest]

I couldn't see the pictures, I kept getting the message unable to

retrieve album. I feel the same way about getting a new camera

because mine works well also and only has 3.2 megapixel with IS. I'd

really love one with a telescopic lens when I'm taking nature shots

because I can see things far out but if I use the zoom the photos

cannot be printed larger than a 3X5 or 4X6. When I keep it on

2048X1536 setting the pic's look awesome.

After taking pic's for my kids school last year, many of which they

used for the yearbook (they gave me a freebie & credit in the book), I

learned what every great photographer knows, take as many shots as you

can. For every 50-75 shots I take, only one will be what I consider a

great one, or good enough to share. I still have much to learn but

enjoy it immensely!

I'll keep trying to see your pic's later, have to go with Mom to chemo

today.

Kim

.... would hate to stop using a perfectly good camera, I'd buy the

newer 6.1 megapixel with the stability feature.

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[Guest guest]

Ok, after my 2nd cup of coffee I figured out how dense I was when I

wasn't able to see the pic's. Those are so large! I'm sure they made

a real racket. How often will they be doing these exercises around

your area? My Aunt in Georgia, whose deceased husband was a career

Air Force Colonel, still lives near the base and when I went to visit

the noise was deafening at times. The National Guard Armory nearby

had an open house that I was unable to go to but wanted to visit.

They had vehicles such as humvees, many assorted rifles and a

helicopter (forget which kind) on display to the public. Wish I could

have gone to show and checked it out with the kids.

Kim

>

> For those who are interested, I've posted a few pictures of the

> helicopters ...