Photos From The Us (storm Chase Down Days)

[Gorky]

Just going to dump some photos in here for comments/critique which don't really belong in the Storm Chase forum. Given that it is very quiet over here storm wise, it's given me some time to get out and about with the camera. It will be a mix of lanscape/wildlife/fauna etc so I'll keep it here.

First some pictures from todays trip to the Badlands in South Dakota. Don't mind my ugly mug being in a few of the photos but my Mum will probably be reading this thread at some point probably and she always moans I'm never in any of the shots I take, heh.

[Gorky]

Some pics of the local wildlife.... If you can help me identify anything I'm unsure of, go ahead

No idea what this is... some sort of deer I guess. The male ones had black horns... Not very skittish unlike all the proper deer I kept spotting which bolted leaving me with some great 'deer ass' shots

Great Blue Heron.. I think

A Snake... again any identification would be appreciated. Don't tell me it could have killed me with one bite as I did get very close

Turkey Vulture.. Common as muck around here but this one buzzed me very close.

Red Tailed Hawk... This is the bird whose shriek they use in all the good old western movies whenever they show any bird of prey. Very cool to have this one hover over me for good 5 minutes shrieking away. It probably wanted to eat my eyeballs when I passed out from dehydration, but he can't help being that way inclined

American White Pelicans in formation. Just five of about 2 dozen which were circling around

One Pelican with what looks like dinner

Red-Winged Blackbird - Amazing... Pepsi are adverising everywhere these days

A Red-Breasted Grosbeak

Finally, a Red Headed Woodpecker

[biddie]

beautiful photos thanks

[pottyprof]

Absolutely fantastic Nath... Some really nice shots there. The heron and the woodpecker are really cool..

[Andy Bown]

Those photos give a whole new angle to the storm chasing trip*, showing what's possible on 'down days'. Thanks for sharing them, love the bird shots!

*You mean you didn't go chasing the Cirrus? :lol:

[SteveB]

Great photos, Love the pepsi bird :lol:

[sunny scunny]

Some excellent photos,especially the woodpecker and pepsi bird :lol:

[A.J]

Aye, a great set of piccies....love the birdie pics, great capture!

[Gorky]

A few more from todays travels...

Mt Rushmore, South Dakota:

Custer State Park, South Dakota:

A Buffalo, shedding it's winter fur and not too soon. It was 93 degrees Farenheit today

The Needles (There was an absolutely mindblowing scenic drive through these features)

Sylvan Lake

Devils Tower, Wyoming

This thing is big. Very big. I'm not sure this photo does it justice. Can you see the climber at the top of the tower?

Maybe now?

Full zoom on my biggest lens

And finally, a Prairie Dog which seemed completely oblivious to me as I wandered up to it. I thought these guys were supposed to be like meerkats, but I got so close, I had to switch focus modes on my lens, so less than 5m away. It seemed quite happy chomping on grass as I took a dozen or so photos

[SteveB]

Looks like you are doing your very own road trip.

Trip of a lifetime

[Koppite]

Great pics Gorky. :lol:

[Flash Elvis]

Wasnt the devils tower used in the film Close Encounters???

Great Pictures

[Mammatus]

Wasnt the devils tower used in the film Close Encounters???

Great Pictures

I think it was FE. What a great film that was

Awesome pictures Gorky. Weather looks lovely too.

Seasons

[plymouthflye]

I think it was FE. What a great film that was

Awesome pictures Gorky. Weather looks lovely too.

Seasons

Yes, Devils Tower was most definately used in the film Close Encounters. It happens to be my most favourite film (since i was 12'ish) (40'ish now!) It has been my lifelong goal to get to "the Tower" even though ive been to the US twice. I'm seriously considering going on the NW chase next year, and then after, hire a car myself and travel the "short" distance to NE Wy. Excellent piccies anyway Gorky. :lol:

Incidentally, the cloud effects in the film, before the advent of CGI, still look astounding. Talk about visible convection!

Edited May 24, 2009 by plymouthflye

[Sloopy]

Lucky you, what an amazing place to see. In some ways as good as the storm pics - well maybe not!

[Gorky]

Some Pics from my first day at Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas.

I'm a sucker for weird almsot impossible rock formations.....

Some type of bear. Not sure if he's a grizzly or not. I actually ended up seeing 6 bears which apparently is pretty good going. Only this one and one on day 2 were good photo opportunities (i.e. I could stay within running distance of the car if it decided that I looked quite tasty)

Kelper Cascades:

A Thermal Spring:

A Chipmunk (I think):

The Beehive Geyser. This can be upto 5 days between eruptions so I was quite lucky to see it.

Another Volcanic Spring. Crystal clear (but probably toxic) water. Strong smell of sulphur in this entire area.

Old Faithful (Obligatory):

Having some fun with this smoking geyser... Can you see me waving to the camera?

I'll add more pics from Yellowstone - Day 2 tomorrow. I've still got a backlog including Grand Teton National Park, Goosenecks State Park, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon to process Must sleep now however.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Gorky

[❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️]

Some amazing scenery and wildlife there B)

[londonsnow]

brilliant pics. makes me want to visit these places

[tom_f123]

Superb pics, the US really does have some fantastic scenery.