War Birds

During the Annual Cowpoken Daze Festival (Not the actual name. But one I have used for years, for a variety of reasons), one of the only interesting events of the whole thing happens (in my opinion) -

The Air Show!

Headlining every year is the Air Force Thunderbirds. This year, for the first time in ages, I went to the Air Guard base to see the static (parked old planes) show, along with the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds on the ground, ready to start the show. The actual air show WASN'T over us, for safety reasons since there's too many homes in the area. But we saw them flying around a lot as they did their routines.

The weather was very nice for it. Too many years we had clouds or stormy weather which greatly reduced what they could do.

It sure can be loud when that many F-16s go zooming over your head.

But just as interesting was the static air show. Some interesting and iconic older prop planes, many veterans of WWII.

P-51 Mustang, one of the most famous fighters from WWII. Probably one of the most recognizable planes from that era.

A F4U Corsair, another famous fighter plane, often used in the Pacific against the Japanese. Made more 'famous' by the 1970s TV show Black Sheep Squadron. I saw this plane as it flew in, but didn't get any good photos of it. A very good looking aircraft, IMHO.

A Grumman Avenger, a plane designed to drop either bombs or a single large torpedo.

This is a T-6 Texan, a trainer aircraft used to train military pilots before going off to war. This plane was also flying and putting on a few shows.

Doing lots and lots of loops.....

Something a little newer - an A10 Thunderbolt. Also known as a Warthog. Not the best looking plane, but very formidable on the battlefield.

It wasn't all war planes though. There were a number of stunt and private planes, and biplanes like this one-

This plane did several flight shows, including one with another smaller biplane.

A very good day, seeing a bunch of really well preserved old aircraft, along with the big Thunderbirds show. It stormed later in the day, but it held off long enough to give everyone a great day.

Surreality

July 4th. Independence Day! BBQs! Parades! Fireworks!

Actually it was kind of a strange day. Very warm and very humid. Kind of cloudy much of the time. Though it cleared off later, seemed like weather would be good for the night's big fireworks show.

Got my gear and went to the park. As I was getting closer, I could see big dark clouds coming. Lightning and thunder too. And I didn't bring a raincoat!

Biggest surprise was how deserted the park was. It's usually a big crowd of people waiting for the show. But with threatening weather and sprinkles I guess people went home early. Then it started really raining and thundering, lots of lightning. I got to a safer place to hide out. Was seriously thinking of calling it and going home. But waited it out.

Rain tapered off to light sprinkles 20 minutes later. I could hear cheering in the auditorium where they put on a music show. So I figured stick around, might get a show after all.

And we finally did!

 I decided to experiment a little this year. Everything was pretty much shot with me changing the focus during the couple second exposures. Usually in focus to getting out of focus. Got some interesting results overall.

Pretty colorful one here. I think this is one of my favorites from the night.

I think this one looks like a big green dandelion.

So the show ended. And I, along with the maybe 15 other people in the park headed out. It was very humid, still wet from the rain, and a bunch of lingering drifting smoke from the fireworks.

Just created a perfectly surreal environment to finish off the day.