Steam Devils / Fall Macros

The first day of Autumn 2011 started off brisk with conditions ideal for possible steam devil development. This isn't a big deal considering that wherever you have mist over water with winds at or near calm, there is a good chance you will spot them. Video does better justice for appreciating the motion however, I wasn't pleased with what I shot Friday morning so I am waiting till a different opportunity comes along.









Just some miscellaneous Autumn themed macros from the past few days.

Epic Fogbow is EPIC

Tuesday morning's fog spoke to me...



So amidst the mist I listened :D





Contrast enhanced to show supernumeraries.

Wednesday Weather

Early Wednesday morning we had a line of storms slide by to the S so I stuck a camera out in the hope of catching something. The moon was a nice touch so I put together a DSLR time lapse sequence found HERE.



Midday was cool and rainy but I kept watch of satellite for it appeared that this system with ample clearing behind it would depart at just the right time for opportunity. I was correct in that the sun angle near to and during the sunset hour caught the back side as I had hoped.









and finally, what appears to be the actual cold front looming to the W and with that, a significant cool down throwing us along the rest of the Central US into a period of below average temperatures. I would have liked to do a time lapse of this scene but I had no time to lapse lol.

Autumn Miscellaneous

MORNING STEAM TIME LAPSE VIDEO LINKAGE

Saturday at Tuscola IL

It's hard to believe with the current early morning temp being a brisk 51 degrees that just a few days ago we were breaking regional records in the 100+ range. Suffice to say, a strong cold front dove through on Saturday and although limited in the extent of severe as well as overall precipitation coverage, it still produced notable weather. Ava had a football cheer event at Tuscola which eliminated the possibility of heading out but having to be there resulted in a unique opportunity. As we headed to the event, I was watching a vigorous cell to the N near Champaign. Upon maturation it collapsed and pushed out a gust front that would drop S and reach all the way to where we were going. Timing was such that it hit just as we arrived and with that, trees were swaying as people scrambled for cover. On a nearby baseball diamond I noticed a considerable amount of dirt quickly going airborne. Spending a few minutes at this spot, with each blast of the prolonged gust front passage, numerous gustnadoes were being spun up. Video of this phenomena would have been much more interesting than stills but no complaints for happening to be there at the perfect moment. Following up with the weather service would later confirm wind gust estimates to be around 35 to 45 MPH.







Things would eventually quiet down and the first half of the game went along uninterrupted. Shortly into the 3rd quarter, a strong cell would develop towards the SW and ultimately end the game. Although being away from bright stadium light would have been ideal, I made an attempt to capture this cell on the approach. Upon arrival it too had a somewhat intense gust front that was easily seen on radar.







After the passage and now heading home, facing E.

ISS vs. Four Square Church

Last night I successfully pulled off a shot idea I have wanted but not before placing my L shaped thumb and index finger next to my forehead. The plan was to simply get the International Space Station rising and then gliding over the steeple. Easy enough as it is not a difficult scene to compose, right?



Not shown in the picture below (would have been left of the ISS) was a short streak bearing identical appearance of an Iridium flare which is basically the reflective gleam that comes from a rolling satellite in orbit. I proudly posted this image to Facebook for all to see. This morning upon closer review of other shots, I concluded that it was simply a lens flare due to nearby spotlights and removed it. It was here that I once again sounded the fail horn that has become so loud anymore that my ears are ringing. I'm sure Jesus had a good laugh though.



Crop from the original, very deceiving...



Moving on...



And finally, from around the side of the church.