Monday, May 21, 2012

An enchanting sunset from Cedro Peak, New Mexico

Today's enchanting New Mexico sunset was just a bit unusual because of today's annular eclipse. Although I didn't have any special equipment, here are the pictures I was able to get. Gerald Byrnes did have more equipment and should have quite a few more pictures. These represent only the late stages of the eclipse, after maximum annularity.
This and the next picture were of a projection of the eclipse on Mylar film.
This picture was taken very close to sunset, when atmospheric filtering helped tame the partially eclipsed sun's intensity. The viewing site on Cedro Peak wasn't as high in elevation as the much more popular Sandia Crest, but was quite uncrowded.
In addition, it served another purpose, as a memorial gathering place for Gerald and friends to remember the life of their dear friend, Wolf Scott-Cohen, who tragically died shortly before he was due to graduate from the University of New Mexico. This specific site was a favorite of Wolf's.
As the partially eclipsed sun dipped over the horizon, it appeared as a great golden glowing shark fin.
Scenic view from where we'd watched the eclipse. Immediately adjacent to the large boulder was a protected area where Wolf and his friends had often enjoyed campfires and wide-ranging talks.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Lakefest Racing at Texoma, Friday, April 13, 2012 ... (III-a, first race start on Friday)

Wizard luffing behind race committee signal boat (Savannah Jane) along with Valhalla and Second Star just before the first race starts at Texoma's Lakefest.
Wizard and Valhalla behind the race committee signal boat.
Valhalla and Wizard
Valhalla and Wizard
Godspeed approaching
Race committee signal boat Savannah Jane and racers Wizard, Godspeed, Second Star
RC signal boat with Wizard, Valhalla, and Second Star
Race start with Godspeed, Wizard, and Valhalla at the start of the first race for Lakefest 2012 at Lake Texoma.

Lakefest Racing at Texoma, Friday, April 13, 2012 ... (III-b, First Beat: Godspeed, Wizard, Valhalla, & Mauri Pro Sailing)

Portrait of "Wizard"
Godspeed, Second Star, and Valhalla work up their first beat at Lake Texoma's Lakefest on Friday.
Wizard, Godspeed, and Valhalla
Wizard and Valhalla
Wizard with Maura Pro Sailing and Second Star in background

Lakefest Racing at Texoma, Friday, April 13, 2012 ... (III-c, Mauri Pro Sailing and Savannah Jane)

Mauri Pro Sailing sloop powering upwind during the Friday's first race at Lakefest
Mauri Pro Sailing in foreground
Mauri Pro Sailing (soft focus)
"Savannah Jane", the race committee signal boat for the 2012 Lakefest Regatta at Lake Texoma.
Savannah Jane with Farrier 33 trimaran "Nelda Ray"

Friday, May 11, 2012

Lakefest Racing at Texoma, Friday, April 13, 2012 ... (IV-a, Wizard, Godspeed, and Second Star)

Wizard following Godspeed at the 2012 Lakefest Regatta, Lake Texoma
Godspeed, Second Star, and Wizard
Spinnaker parade, from left, Godspeed, Second Star, and Wizard
Godspeed, Second Star, and Wizard

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Lakefest Racing at Texoma, Friday, April 13, 2012 ... (IV-b, Too darn much fun on the VX-1 and Wacky Wiley Wabbit)

VX-1 recovering from a blast of wind
Crew enjoying a fast ride on the VX-1
Portrait: VX-1 with Team Vela
VX-1 powers away on a fast reach (sail no. 110) The VX-1 and Wiley Wabbit were among the smallest boats of the course, but their crews had plenty of fun in the good breeze.
Wiley Wabbit "Hare She BlowZzz", Michael Wilson
Wacky Wabbit
Wabbit upwind
Wabbit in the waves, soft focus

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Lakefest Racing at Texoma, Friday, April 13, 2012 ... (V-a, J/122 Second Star, Bene 39 Godspeed, and Bailey's J/92)

The blue-hulled J/122 "Second Star" (sail no. 74, owned by J. D. and Susan Hill) pops up her bright magenta spinnaker just before the start of racing for the 2012 Lakefest Regatta.
Second Star is running downwind. Racing during the first day of Lake Texoma's Lakefest was just about to get underway, with plenty of nice wind for sailing just after 11:00 AM on Friday, 13 April 2012
Impressionistic image of two boats during Texoma's Lakefest; J/122 Second Star (blue hull) and Beneteau 39 1-ton Godspeed.
Beneteau 39 1-ton "Godspeed" shows off her blue-and-white chute at Lake Texoma.
J/92 S registered to "Bailey", sail 52641 (need boat info)
J/92 gets a blast of air in her chute
J/92 recovering from a bit of excitement