Decatur Illinois USA Photographer, Artist, Weather Observer
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Aurora Borealis / SE Logan County Storm
It's funny how life works sometimes. You'll go from having weeks of nothing real important happen to within the span of about 24 hours, some of the biggest events of all time unexpectedly go down. Such was the case Monday and Tuesday with Monday being of extreme historic significance in that the earth was hit with a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) sparking off intense auroras across North America. I was home and on Facebook when the newsfeed began to light up with reports and pictures of the phenomena. I immediately headed out and up the road a short distance but unfortunately missed the best activity. Adding to my disappointment, a band of thick cirrus loomed overhead thus opaquing most of the sky as well as washing out what might be seen due to refractive light pollution. Though I did not observe anything visually, I still shot in the hope that the camera would capture what I couldn't and to an extent it did.
Facing N, note the green on the horizon. Though the best and brightest has come and gone, there was still a very faint ribbon of green and red arcing across the sky. These pictures were lightened to reveal the color thus why they look like garbage but I'm not trying to win any prizes with this mess.
Facing NW, a brief break in the cloud at upper left reveals some of the red before filling back in.
I was shooting continuous as usual hoping that a stack would reveal some detail which it did somewhat (namely greens) but the cloud just wasn't having it as evident by the limited trails. I also took the stills and created an animation video found HERE.
The last major event of note where auroras made it this far S was in 2004. I did not witness this event and the last time I personally observed them was during the winter of 2001 which was total luck as I just happened to be out and driving to work. To say I am a little miffed that the clouds ruined this major once in a lifetime opportunity is an understatement. More than any subject I have ever covered, I want to capture the aurora borealis and not simply half assed like this set. Others around the nation were much more fortunate than I and thus, I have included links to several other accounts. I'm probably missing a few but the last link to spaceweather was naturally all over it.
BRIAN EMFINGER, ARKANSAS
STEPHEN LOCKE, KANSAS (video)
BILL DOMS, MINNESOTA
SCOTT WEBERPAL, WISCONSIN
ANDREW PRITCHARD, ILLINOIS
DAN ROBINSON, ILLINOIS
BEAU DODSON, ILLINOIS
SPACEWEATHER.COM
Per the second part of this entry, a cold front was scheduled to pass on the Tuesday overnight. It was not expected to amount to much with only a marginal chance of severe much further W near the Mississippi river. I would go to bed early only to automatically awake around 10:30 PM. Looking at radar, a strong cell was coming in from the W with time for me to get up, grab my gear and take off so I did. Setting up a short distance from home in a position that would keep me mostly rain free, the incoming storm was a vigorous one. I shot continuous for the purpose of assembling a time lapse found HERE and was treated to several good keepers below.
Pointing towards the WSW for a few frames thinking there was new development on the SW flank, this was about as good as it got. The storm collapsed nearly overhead leaving nothing to follow so I went home. How's that for timing?
Just for fun I took the stills used for the animation video and ran them through the star trails program to generate a creative stack comprised of 25 minutes as a single image.
Facing N, note the green on the horizon. Though the best and brightest has come and gone, there was still a very faint ribbon of green and red arcing across the sky. These pictures were lightened to reveal the color thus why they look like garbage but I'm not trying to win any prizes with this mess.
Facing NW, a brief break in the cloud at upper left reveals some of the red before filling back in.
I was shooting continuous as usual hoping that a stack would reveal some detail which it did somewhat (namely greens) but the cloud just wasn't having it as evident by the limited trails. I also took the stills and created an animation video found HERE.
The last major event of note where auroras made it this far S was in 2004. I did not witness this event and the last time I personally observed them was during the winter of 2001 which was total luck as I just happened to be out and driving to work. To say I am a little miffed that the clouds ruined this major once in a lifetime opportunity is an understatement. More than any subject I have ever covered, I want to capture the aurora borealis and not simply half assed like this set. Others around the nation were much more fortunate than I and thus, I have included links to several other accounts. I'm probably missing a few but the last link to spaceweather was naturally all over it.
BRIAN EMFINGER, ARKANSAS
STEPHEN LOCKE, KANSAS (video)
BILL DOMS, MINNESOTA
SCOTT WEBERPAL, WISCONSIN
ANDREW PRITCHARD, ILLINOIS
DAN ROBINSON, ILLINOIS
BEAU DODSON, ILLINOIS
SPACEWEATHER.COM
Per the second part of this entry, a cold front was scheduled to pass on the Tuesday overnight. It was not expected to amount to much with only a marginal chance of severe much further W near the Mississippi river. I would go to bed early only to automatically awake around 10:30 PM. Looking at radar, a strong cell was coming in from the W with time for me to get up, grab my gear and take off so I did. Setting up a short distance from home in a position that would keep me mostly rain free, the incoming storm was a vigorous one. I shot continuous for the purpose of assembling a time lapse found HERE and was treated to several good keepers below.
Pointing towards the WSW for a few frames thinking there was new development on the SW flank, this was about as good as it got. The storm collapsed nearly overhead leaving nothing to follow so I went home. How's that for timing?
Just for fun I took the stills used for the animation video and ran them through the star trails program to generate a creative stack comprised of 25 minutes as a single image.
Monday, October 24, 2011
October Nights...
Late last week through the weekend was the annual Orionid Meteor Shower. I set up as usual in the hope of adding to my growing meteor collection. Although Saturday morning the 22nd was forecast to be the most intense, early Friday was when I captured the best as seen in the first stack.
Unrelated to meteors, I was timed as such while running errands later Friday evening to catch the ISS flyby from out in the country. It is obviously not composed well but I figured it would be brightest at center versus further to the NE.
Facing W early Saturday morning, single frame with the best capture of the session.
Saturday night I helped with a haunted forest put together by some friends in Bethany IL. Besides fulfilling monster duties, I set up a camera to shoot continuous in the hope of pulling off time lapse sequences from the event. Each shot was 20 seconds thus capturing light trails from people moving with flashlights, glowsticks and electronic devices. Assembling all of the stills from each session into a stack created an unusual image series. The camera shifted at some point with the first set for resting on uneven ground thus the star trails are slightly misaligned but still worth sharing.
Perhaps the best one, the long pink wavy streak is my face with the flashlight held up to illuminate it as I walked in frame. Purely accidental, light trails with one's face, who knew? Per the note about "camera taped to flashlight", the light source is the LED display. I had the idea of taking a video camera and attaching it to a flashlight. When the kids came near, I would begin recording, sneak up on them, flip the light on while simultaneously screaming and in turn, capture their reactions. I have yet to edit video but from what I have reviewed thus far, it worked brilliantly.
Heading home with the hope for meteors but none.
Overnight into early Monday morning a weather opportunity presented itself in that a large roll cloud associated with the gust front on a dying line of storms to drop through went overhead. Sunday was my birthday so for being the first day of yet another year of living, I guess it's a good start.
and there it goes over the city...
Finally at dawn.
Unrelated to meteors, I was timed as such while running errands later Friday evening to catch the ISS flyby from out in the country. It is obviously not composed well but I figured it would be brightest at center versus further to the NE.
Facing W early Saturday morning, single frame with the best capture of the session.
Saturday night I helped with a haunted forest put together by some friends in Bethany IL. Besides fulfilling monster duties, I set up a camera to shoot continuous in the hope of pulling off time lapse sequences from the event. Each shot was 20 seconds thus capturing light trails from people moving with flashlights, glowsticks and electronic devices. Assembling all of the stills from each session into a stack created an unusual image series. The camera shifted at some point with the first set for resting on uneven ground thus the star trails are slightly misaligned but still worth sharing.
Perhaps the best one, the long pink wavy streak is my face with the flashlight held up to illuminate it as I walked in frame. Purely accidental, light trails with one's face, who knew? Per the note about "camera taped to flashlight", the light source is the LED display. I had the idea of taking a video camera and attaching it to a flashlight. When the kids came near, I would begin recording, sneak up on them, flip the light on while simultaneously screaming and in turn, capture their reactions. I have yet to edit video but from what I have reviewed thus far, it worked brilliantly.
Heading home with the hope for meteors but none.
Overnight into early Monday morning a weather opportunity presented itself in that a large roll cloud associated with the gust front on a dying line of storms to drop through went overhead. Sunday was my birthday so for being the first day of yet another year of living, I guess it's a good start.
and there it goes over the city...
Finally at dawn.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Structured Shower
Yesterday while running errands, I noticed an area of interest associated with showers riding a slow eastward moving boundary. Although any convection was marginal at best, one particular cell appeared to be developing a base so I followed to between Lovington and Sullivan IL.
As I had hopefully anticipated, it began to wrap up and take on HP characteristics. The inset area after this shot would briefly become more pronounced as I attempted to move closer. I'll dare to say that what I observed was a small funnel which is not uncommon in this portion of an HP cell.
Numbered nail head in the power pole I was leaning against to get the above shot. Anyone know what it signifies?
At my closest point, the process of occlusion has begun at which point it would not recover and ultimately die.
I would then try for nature shots which didn't work out so well and especially considering the new convection around the region that was catching the end of day light but too far away to intercept (this is not it).
and lastly, rising moon with Jupiter.
As I had hopefully anticipated, it began to wrap up and take on HP characteristics. The inset area after this shot would briefly become more pronounced as I attempted to move closer. I'll dare to say that what I observed was a small funnel which is not uncommon in this portion of an HP cell.
Numbered nail head in the power pole I was leaning against to get the above shot. Anyone know what it signifies?
At my closest point, the process of occlusion has begun at which point it would not recover and ultimately die.
I would then try for nature shots which didn't work out so well and especially considering the new convection around the region that was catching the end of day light but too far away to intercept (this is not it).
and lastly, rising moon with Jupiter.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sunday, October 09, 2011
October MASSIVE
Since last Sunday, I have been an exceptionally busy man. With everything that was going on throughout the period, numerous photographic opportunities presented themselves that I was fortunate to document. Just as soon as I was done processing a batch of images another event would come along with no time to blog so it has all accumulated. Things are seemingly quiet at the moment so hopefully I can get this stuff wrapped up finally lol.
Beginning with the 2nd, regional temperatures this morning dipped into the mid to lower 30's resulting in widespread frost. I had been waiting for a moment like this because the cooler air over the still warmer water of area ponds would produce steam and hopefully spout formations. Upon arrival to Weldon Springs State Park located Clinton IL, my hunch verified. The particular spot I chose is one I had thought about for some time with respect to sun angle, wind direction, wind speed/buffer, shade lines and time of day as to if or when this phenomena would most likely occur. Some scoff at the pursuit of these entities as being frivolous though I enjoy the challenge of forecasting and observing the mundane. Doing so also helps with understanding the bigger picture as does centering oneself amidst the tranquility. Enjoy a short time lapse video found HERE.
Shattering the mirrored surface, a beaver.
Toying with an artistic element.
Once the steam event was over, I went to the other side for a panorama attempt.
As if the morning activity weren't enough, this day was also huge for being the final game of the Warrensburg/Latham JFL season. Ava is a cheerleader so this was a big deal for us. Throughout the season I have been documenting those games we attended for the purpose of putting something together for the annual sports banquet. With time of day in mind, I set up at the start of the second half to get time lapse of the sunset for this project. From great distance with the 300mm I was also able to attain images in such a way that I had not expected even though you think I would have. For once I am actually proud of something I've produced. The mentioned time lapse video clip with accompanying slide sequence can be seen HERE.
Note the crepuscular rays.
Midweek we headed up to the Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch located just outside of Champaign IL. I have never been here and will say it was a highly enjoyable experience. Complete with a restaurant, gift shop, kids play area and of course many acres of pick your own produce, photographic opportunity was endless.
Finally got a Common Buckeye through the macro attachment. Typically they are real skittish and impossible to approach but I believe that for being end of season and ultimately end of life, is why this one was cooperative.
Not to be fooled, this is a miniature pumpkin that could fit (albeit snug) in a coffee cup.
There is a catwalk er... "goatwalk" between pens that you have to walk under... carefully lol.
Messing around along the edge of an old shed roof.
Moving on to the 8th, the Draconid meteor shower was expected to peak though the other half of the planet was favored to see it whereas we would be in sunlight. More info c/o the International Meteor Organization can be found HERE. There was still a chance that the US would catch a rogue few on the very ends of the display so I set up to try.
During the darkest hours before dawn, I may have caught one or it may have been a flaring satellite. The uneven taper renders this catch as being inconclusive.
Shortly after nightfall much later, I set up again and in this first scene, caught an amazing fireball. Thinking this was a Draconid, with the help of Olivier Staiger it was determined not to be as it did not emanate from the radiant located upper left and out of frame. Coming in from the opposite direction there is no telling what it was for it could have just been space junk burning up on reentry but is by far my most intense celestial entity to date.
Facing NE, no meteors but caught a banking aircraft likely coming out of Chicago.
Facing NNW, score! In the upper left a genuine Draconid coming in at the proper angle. Note the broken streak along the horizon lower left. It's a flaring something or other that split between frames but I'm not going to try and identify. Eventually I might assemble time lapse video with these stacks but for now taking pause to regroup before any more adventures pop up lol.
Beginning with the 2nd, regional temperatures this morning dipped into the mid to lower 30's resulting in widespread frost. I had been waiting for a moment like this because the cooler air over the still warmer water of area ponds would produce steam and hopefully spout formations. Upon arrival to Weldon Springs State Park located Clinton IL, my hunch verified. The particular spot I chose is one I had thought about for some time with respect to sun angle, wind direction, wind speed/buffer, shade lines and time of day as to if or when this phenomena would most likely occur. Some scoff at the pursuit of these entities as being frivolous though I enjoy the challenge of forecasting and observing the mundane. Doing so also helps with understanding the bigger picture as does centering oneself amidst the tranquility. Enjoy a short time lapse video found HERE.
Shattering the mirrored surface, a beaver.
Toying with an artistic element.
Once the steam event was over, I went to the other side for a panorama attempt.
As if the morning activity weren't enough, this day was also huge for being the final game of the Warrensburg/Latham JFL season. Ava is a cheerleader so this was a big deal for us. Throughout the season I have been documenting those games we attended for the purpose of putting something together for the annual sports banquet. With time of day in mind, I set up at the start of the second half to get time lapse of the sunset for this project. From great distance with the 300mm I was also able to attain images in such a way that I had not expected even though you think I would have. For once I am actually proud of something I've produced. The mentioned time lapse video clip with accompanying slide sequence can be seen HERE.
Note the crepuscular rays.
Midweek we headed up to the Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch located just outside of Champaign IL. I have never been here and will say it was a highly enjoyable experience. Complete with a restaurant, gift shop, kids play area and of course many acres of pick your own produce, photographic opportunity was endless.
Finally got a Common Buckeye through the macro attachment. Typically they are real skittish and impossible to approach but I believe that for being end of season and ultimately end of life, is why this one was cooperative.
Not to be fooled, this is a miniature pumpkin that could fit (albeit snug) in a coffee cup.
There is a catwalk er... "goatwalk" between pens that you have to walk under... carefully lol.
Messing around along the edge of an old shed roof.
Moving on to the 8th, the Draconid meteor shower was expected to peak though the other half of the planet was favored to see it whereas we would be in sunlight. More info c/o the International Meteor Organization can be found HERE. There was still a chance that the US would catch a rogue few on the very ends of the display so I set up to try.
During the darkest hours before dawn, I may have caught one or it may have been a flaring satellite. The uneven taper renders this catch as being inconclusive.
Shortly after nightfall much later, I set up again and in this first scene, caught an amazing fireball. Thinking this was a Draconid, with the help of Olivier Staiger it was determined not to be as it did not emanate from the radiant located upper left and out of frame. Coming in from the opposite direction there is no telling what it was for it could have just been space junk burning up on reentry but is by far my most intense celestial entity to date.
Facing NE, no meteors but caught a banking aircraft likely coming out of Chicago.
Facing NNW, score! In the upper left a genuine Draconid coming in at the proper angle. Note the broken streak along the horizon lower left. It's a flaring something or other that split between frames but I'm not going to try and identify. Eventually I might assemble time lapse video with these stacks but for now taking pause to regroup before any more adventures pop up lol.
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