Pounce

Chinooks ..

When there aren't any storms to chase (and there will be soon) I like to take photos of aircraft. Here are a few of two Army Chinooks that were spotter at Rick Husband/Amarillo International Airport today. They make a very impressive noise.

-Steve Douglass

Canyon NWS spotter Training Session ..

There was a good turnout at the NWS annual storm spotting training session at the Cole Community center in Canyon. One bloke came all the way from England!

Lot's of new information, including what the moderate El Nino means for the area severe weather wise.

I like taking the session out of town - maybe next year Pampa.

The spotters are friendlier and more enthused than they are at the AES sessions - not so much posturing and the "been-there-done-this-can we get this over with please." attitude.

Steve Drillette's lecture was informative and humorous. There was also some great video clips I had never seen- from the frightening to the hilarious.

The most frightening was seeing a photo of myself at the annual NWS spotter appreciation picnic. I've got to buy some pants that fit in the seat.

- Steve Douglass

Skywarn training in Canyon tonight.

Place: Annual NWS storm spotters certification class. Open to anyone who wants to know more about storms and (or) becoming a certified NWS spotter. Informative and fun. I'll be there - you should too!

Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Cole Community Center, Canyon, Texas

Street view:
View Larger Map

Bald Eagle a the Walmart?

I decided to dash out to the Walmart today - needed some groceries badly -haven't been out since I've been sick - when a tiny voice in the back of my brain told me I'd better bring my camera. Boy am I glad I did! I caught this iconic symbol of freedom buzzing the geese hunkered down at the lake (at SW Park) just across form Wally World.


I managed to get three shots before he decided to fly away. I hear they are as thick as flies in Alaska, but they are very rare site down here.

Ain't it the truth ...

February Snow

Snoggy Tree

(C) Steve Douglass

click to enlarge

Equinox

Panhandle Snow ...

Cool ...

... photographing icicles is cool - but I'd rather be storm chasing.

Those icy fingers ...

Blue Norther coming in ...

Photographed  by Steve Douglass near Stamford, Texas.

Amarillo By Morning ...

White Frosting

Photographed on Highway 287 near Clarendon.
Good to be back in town after a short holiday vacation!

-Steve

Merry Christmas from Panhandle Skies.

A very happy holiday season to everyone of my good visitors and friends. I hope you enjoy the blog and will so even more during the coming year.

Thanks for all your kind comments and support.

-Steve Douglass

Lufkin hit by tornado

Tornado causes severe damage to parts of Lufkin

Posted: Dec 24, 2009 5:14 AMUpdated: Dec 24, 2009 5:45 AM

By Whitney Grunder -

LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) - Severe storms ripped through parts of East Texas Wednesday evening. Some Lufkin neighborhoods sustained extensive damage from a possible tornado.

Among them is the Lufkin VFW, which is now gone. The damage comes right after 10,000 dollars worth of recent tile work. A check for the construction was written Wednesday, before the storm hit.

One resident living near Gipson Funeral Home on Chestnut Street even reported seeing caskets in his backyard.

Jakoia Grimes and her children were happy to have made it safely out of their Lufkin apartment, before their entire roof collapsed. "I looked up and I just saw the light from outside and I had my girls come and sit by the door, and within minutes the entire roof caved in," said Grimes, who is now staying with family members.

Jennifer Mays watched the tornado touch down right outside Stephens Court Apartments. She described it as "massive." She said, "I couldn't believe it was so powerful to the point that it just opened up my door."

Next door, owners sifted through what remained of their welding business, part of Lufkin for 25 years. Max's Welding Shop on Denman Avenue was completely destroyed.

Owners said they can't blame God for the severe weather, and that fortunately another shop behind the building stands untouched by the storm.

"I think we're going to be able to salvage some of our equipment. I think we're going to be alright," said co-owner Betty Purgahn.

Cheddars employees also witnessed a tornado touch down in the middle of the Olive Garden parking lot. "I heard a bunch of commotion and they were talking about the patio chairs were nearly about to hit some cars so we ran to try to help," said Cheddars employee Brad Barrow.

According to witnesses, other than damaging a few of the vehicles parked in the Olive Garden parking lot, the tornado did not affect any of the buildings. The Department of Public Safety reported that the tornado lifted back up, and did not cause any injuries.

Utility crews were also working to remedy power outages caused by toppled power poles. Thursday morning, thousands of residents were without power. An Oncor spokesperson said approximately 2,500 customers were without power in the Lufkin area.

So far no severe injuries have been reported.

Christmas Lights HDR

I did a little experimenting last nighty with HDR and shot this for a client of mine.

I took six frames- one exposed properly and three under exposed and three over exposed and combined them in an HDR program.


This is the low-rez version. The hi-rez has amazing detail.

Click to enlarge.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

-Steve Douglass

Cold November morn

Grain Elevator

SAVE A STARVING PHOTOGRAPHER
BUT THIS PRINT HERE!