Rainbow Canyon

[Hellfire]

So after seeing one or two posts from the canyon in the past I thought I'd try my luck with, pretty much my first FJ low level location shoot during a 3 week visit to California. I have been to my once local Dunmail in the past when I first started digital photography, but generally pulled a blank while I was there. Not the same can be said for here though. The plan was 2 days on location. Day 1 was meant to be a Monday after an overnight drive, but decide an all day Monday drive was better giving us Tuesday and Wednesday on location.
Tuesday offered up 11 passes of F-18'S and F-16's(1 missed through helping some tourists jump start a camper van). Wednesday we expected the same kind of business, so was pleasantly surprised when within 20 seconds of being on site we had our first customer. the next 5 minutes saw 4 more passes from other aircraft, and within the first 45 minutes, we'd drawn even with the 11 passes from day one. Over the remaining 4 hours we spent there we racked up another 17 passes making 28 for the day. However the best bit for me was the distant B-1B low down in the distant Panamint Valley. I've seen them low at RIAT, but it was totally amazing to see one in the desert valley low down.
Anyway, on with the photos.

VFA-122 F-18 by Duane_88, on Flickr

Screamin' 'Flying Eagles' by Duane_88, on Flickr

Kestrels Tight by Duane_88, on Flickr

Sidewinder by Duane_88, on Flickr

Close Up Sidewinder by Duane_88, on Flickr

NASA F-18 by Duane_88, on Flickr

USMC VX-9 by Duane_88, on Flickr

Warhawk Opposite by Duane_88, on Flickr

Vampires Close Up by Duane_88, on Flickr

Bounty Hunter F-18 by Duane_88, on Flickr

VFA-122 F-18 Underside by Duane_88, on Flickr

VX-9 Topside by Duane_88, on Flickr

Edwards F-16 by Duane_88, on Flickr

B-1B Panamint Valley by Duane_88, on Flickr

Cheers for looking. Full set on the Flickr.

Duane

[Timc]

Excellent set Duane,

A place I've dreamed of going to for a long time!

Shame the B-1B didn't come closer but the other shots are fantastic, particularly like the little bit of vapour coming off the Hornet in the 2nd shot.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers
Tim

[RickIngham]

Awesome set mate Like the rest on Flickr too! That NASA F18 looks lovely

[Airwolfhound]

You very lucky fella, I was at Father Crowley Point back in May for a few hours and saw bugger all

A fabulous series of shots

[Tim Laurence]

Great set Duane, really pleased you had a good 2 days with plenty of traffic. 28 passes must be a record, never heard of anyone seeing that many. Nice to see one of the NASA jets do another overshoot, maybe one day they will drop in.

Tim

[Hellfire]

Cheers guys.

Great set Duane, really pleased you had a good 2 days with plenty of traffic. 28 passes must be a record, never heard of anyone seeing that many. Nice to see one of the NASA jets do another overshoot, maybe one day they will drop in.

Tim

Tim, I didn't expect anywhere near 28 passes on day 2, particularly after the 11 spaced out passes the day before. Thanks for the pointers on where to go. Helped massively when deciding how far along the canyon to go.

[RichPittman]

Hi Duane, Nice selection

What set up did you use on these please?

[Ledhead27]

Brilliant shots, certainly nice to see some other fast jets down low and in different surroundings

[Lloyd H]

Fantastic collection of images Duane, I'd love to spend a few days out there!

[Niallxg]

Great set.