The Blue Angels
 

It was Seafair weekend here in Seattle. One of the highlights is the Hydroplane races on Lake Washington. But it also means the The Blue Angels are in town performing.

I grew up on US Naval Air Stations around the country and have been a fan of the Angels for as long as I can remember. So I really look forward to this time of year. They are just amazing!!

They are also fun and a challenge to photograph. If you are interested, here is a link to my photos of them from this year. Enjoy.

www.pbase.com/trsw/theblueangels2007

Tom

Hi Tom, I love your photos..the Blue Angels are terrific. I have enjoyed seeing them in SF. I hope Scarlett will see this thread..she enjoyed them when she lived in Jacksonville.

Thanks for sharing!!

The very first time I saw the Blue Angels perform was over Puget Sound back in the early 60s. Great venue!

Thanks for sharing your photos, they are really well done. So hard to get a good image at the speeds they move! My last attempt at photographing the Thunderbirds wasn't nearly as successful. Way to go!

MvK

LoveItaly and MvK,

Thank you for the nice words. I am glad you liked the photos. It is just amazing at what these pilots achive. It is really nice to see that they have continued in the the face of the tragedy they faced earlier this year when they lost the #6 Lt Cmdr Davis due to an accident.

Tom

TRSW~ thank you for posting.. we get A.F. base air shows every two years now due to budget cuts..

** my sons and I enjoyed the photos, J.

Hi Tom, I was thinking the same thing. That was a terrible tragedy.

BTW, I had some friends here from Italy a few years ago and took them to SF for the day. I forgot the Blue Angels were perfoming and so of course didn't say anything to them. Well let me tell you they almost passed out from fright when the Blue Angels flew overhead, lol. Talking about large startled brown Italian eyes...

Take care and give Diablo a hug for me.

jetset,

I am happy you and your sons enjoyed the photos. Along with the Blue Angels, I am a big fan of thier Air Force counterparts, The Thunderbirds.

Still to this day, it saddens me when I remember that back in the 1980's, they lost the whole team in a horrible accident at Nellis AFB, outside of Las Vegas. Such a sad day for America.

Tom

LoveItaly,

Too funny about your Italian friends. If you don't know what is coming, the Angels can sure startle you.

Tom

PS Diablo sends you doggie kisses

Beautiful pics, thank you!

First time I saw the Blue Angels was in CA about 40 years ago (I was just a kid! ) Now it's especially poignant because my son is an Air Force pilot, flies C-17; I can live with that. By the way, please check out www.mfso.org

<i>If you don't know what is coming, the Angels can sure startle you.</i>

No kidding! We were driving through Seattle yesterday, and knew about Seafair, but not about the Blue Angels. We were on I-5 passing through the center of the city when they flew directly over the top of us, approaching from our rear. They looked to be at only about 500 ft of altitude, just screaming. My wife freaked at the noise until she saw what was creating it. Quite an impressive spectacle. And, nicely captured, by the way. Thanks for sharing!

What a thrill it must have been to experience this in person--your pictures are terrific, thank you for posting!

Thank you all for the nice words, I am happy that you like the photos.

Willy123 - Thank you for the link. You should be very proud of your son for serving our country. May he be kept out of harms way. And lets hope he and all our troops come home soon.

beachbum - I don't go to the Hydros at Seafair to watch the Blue Angels (I hate crowds). But I live near Seattle University, and that is where they turn around to head back towards the water and they are maybe 200 ft off the ground. You can really get a feel for just how close they are to each other in the diamond formation. And you want to know about LOUD!!!!! I wouldn't miss it for anything.