Sunset Soarer

Lately at sunset - I've been stalking a red tailed hawk who roosts for the night at a nearby windmill - hoping to get a shot. The sunset was so beautiful I almost failed to notice him circling my position at the base of the windmill. He never did land but I got a few really nice photo.

Happy New Year!

The old give way to the young. New thoughts sprout from fertile ground.

While the New Year beckons us with many promises, don't forget to give the old year its due.

Learn from past mistakes and carry the lessons of time with you.

This year resolve to laugh more, love more, forgive more, friend more and learn more.

May 2011 be your best year yet!

Merry Christmas!

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December moon

Pink and blue stripes at sunset ...

Top 5 Christmas wish list gifts for your storm chaser!

It's that time of the year and many spouses may wonder just what to get their storm chasing mate? With that in mind, I've compiled a short list that could aid you in your efforts. Click on each item to be linked to the site that sells this top gear.

1. Cafe Press Storm Chaser Stuff
Funny & cool - sure to get a chuckle and make your chaser happy. My favorite is the "Storm Goddess" shirt.



2. Uniden BCT15X Scanner
Every stormchaser should have one of these. I highly recommend a good scanner for good situational awareness. This one can be programmed for any county in the country by downloading frequencies right into the scanner from the Internet.
The BCT15X comes equipped with Uniden exclusive features like Advanced Dynamic Memory System, Close Call™ RF Capture Technology, and GPS compatibility. Want to eavesdrop on Vortex II? Just turn on Close Call and drive close to them and the scanner will lock in on their communications! Buy the refurbished version and save $50. It will also fit in your dashboard!





3. Cobra 29 XLE 50th anniversary CB radio with weather scan.
So you went down the wrong muddy road - got stuck and the cell phone has no bars. Maybe you need a CB radio? I have one in my car and it has helped me summon aid on several occasions. Not only is this a great looking and operating radio - but it also automatically scans all the NOAA weather radio frequencies (with alert) so you'll always be aware of the current weather warnings. Don't forget to buy a good antenna along with this radio! I hope to post a full review of this radio soon.



4. Haier HLT71 7" LCD TV
Another must have for any storm spotter or chaser. When the broadband is down and you can't get radar updates - this TV could save your life. I have one of these and they are great for receiving both analog and digital TV broadcasts.







5. Canon Vixia HF R100 HD Camcorder.
Full HD 1080P video at an unbelievable price. Amazing color and definition. Mount one of these on your dash or use it handheld to capture your storm in stunning HD. Don't forget to buy extra SDHC media cards!



Send me your Storm Chaser Christmas gift list!

-Steve Douglass

Blades ...

Army Chinooks photographed at Rick Husband Airport in Amarillo.

Photo by Steve Douglass

Another classic West Texas sunset

Amarillo Sky

Amarillo Snowbirds

Snowbirds .. short video I shot of the mini-blizzard. All but gone now.



-Steve Douglass

November ...

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
- Elizabeth Coatsworth

Happy Halloween!

Photo by Steve Douglass

The front approaches ...

Photo of the day - heading south

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A lone flyer takes autumn's nod seriously and heads south to warner climates.

Photo by Steve Douglass

Palo Duro Canyon - pre dawn.

October moon.

Tonight's Panhandle Sky ...

Amarillo Balloon Glow 10-15-2010

KACV seeking Dust Bowl survivor stories ..

Did you survive the Dirty 30s or know someone who did? If So KACV producer Marcie Robinson may want to talk to you.

On Friday, October 22nd, KACV is holding an open call for interviewees to come by and tell their Dust Bowl story for a special project (TV & web) as a companion to Ken Burn's/Dayton Duncan/Florentine Films production of The Dust Bowl - set to air in 2012.

For more information watch KACV or call : 806- 371-5306

AES storm spotter killed in crash - another badly injured.

Author's note: I know both John and Leah and am greatly saddened by this. John was a great guy and a terrific spotter. I'll miss his pearly whites. My prayers go out to their families and wish Leah a swift recovery - but I know from experience it is a long stormy road ahead. - Steve Douglass


WICHITA FALLS — An Amarillo man has died from injuries he suffered in a highway crash between Henrietta and Wichita Falls Monday. His wife is in critical condition in a Wichita Falls hospital.

Department of Public Safety Trooper Tony Fulton identified the man as Jonathan Park Wolfe, 57. He died at United Regional Hospital Monday.

His wife is Leah Ann Wolfe, also 57.

An Amarillo radio station reports Wolfe was a former broadcast engineer who currently operated a race track in the Panhandle city.

The accident happened on U.S. 287 near Boddy Road Monday afternoon.

Fulton said the Wolfes' pickup, pulling a box trailer, and a dump struck were side by side heading west on the four-lane highway. He said the trailer apparently struck the dump truck, causing the pickup to swerve, lose control and careen into the median where it rolled over a stopped DPS unit.

Fulton said the Wolfes were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown from their vehicle.

Neither Trooper Brice Blake nor dump truck driver Anthony Joseph Schreiver of Wichita Falls, was injured.