Despres Photography

Posts Tagged ‘diy’

Seagulls: A Study in the Magic of Flight

From the first few days when humans watched birds fly, we have been in awe of their beauty and functionality. With effortless ease, they take a few steps, flap their mighty wings, and launch skyward in a full STOL takeoff that would make a Maule seem like a DC-10 cargo ship trying to plunder its way into the sky.

While on a photo mission for my ad agency, I spent a weekend over on the Oregon coast at Lincoln City, which was getting pounded with gusts to 60 mph on it's way to a walloping with winds as high as 129 mph at Bay City. But while the wind was blowing, I came across a huge parking lot full of seagulls that were having a ball in those gusts. As I watched their antics, they taught me a great deal about the relationship between aircraft and birds.

One by one, the gulls would just flap their wings, propelling them up gracefully into the wind. At about three feet over my head, they would just hover, not flapping their wings, but letting the wind provide all the lift they needed to stay basically in one place. After that gull was done with his/her kite imitation, another would launch up into the gusts coming off the beach and play the hover game.

I had my newest camera with me, a Canon 40D, with a 200mm prime lens out front. With the drive set to max of about six frames per second, and the autofocus set to continuous (a sports mode), I was able to run all over the lot, chasing hovering seagulls. After 458 images shot, I came back to my hotel and discovered some amazing things about birds. These mega-closeups of gulls in hover mode showed me the anatomy of a bird like I had never seen. If you refer to the photo that accompanies this article, you will see the following five things:

1. The trailing edge of the gull's wing stretches out substantially to form a very large "flap" which provides additional lift for slow flight. This was confirmed on other shots of the gulls in fast flight, when these "flap" feathers were retracted.

2. Complimenting the "flaps" are what appear to be "spoilers" on the wing's leading edge. When you study the complete design of this gull's wing, it resembles a jetliner's wing in its "dirty" landing configuration. I find the gull's wings to be stunning works of art.

3. In slow flight, the gulls would flare their tail feathers wide, to create a sort of "horizontal stabilizer" to give the southbound end of the northbound bird extra lift. In close with my telephoto lens, I was amazed watching them steer by flexing these aft feathers ever so slightly, just enough to keep their beak aimed directly into the wind.

4. In hovering mode, the gulls would drop their retractable "gear" to help steer and stabilize their fuselage. As the gusts increased, the "gear" would come down to dirty up their airframe...and when the speed of the gusts dropped, the gull would retract their feet to clean up and eliminate any excess drag. Amazing.

5. The gulls kept their aerodynamic beak aimed PRECISELY into the wind. They would hint at their next movement ever so slightly when they would aim that beak left or right just before peeling off in either direction to pull out of the hover.

After a few seconds of hovering, each gull would crank into a hard left or right one-eighty, suck in their flaps and spoilers, yank up those retractable feet, and blast off downwind, picking up speed like they were shot from a cannon. All the time, I imagine they were smiling.

I have never studied birds up close like this, in their element. This seashore parking lot was like a little avian GA airport, the kind where a bunch of guys and gals in cloth airplanes have a ball playing together with the wind. I believe I might have seen a few of the seagulls grilling Brats, while others were drinking Budweisers during a heated discussion about whether it's best to run lean or rich of beak.

When you really look at birds up close in stop-action, they do have many similarities to the flying machines we fly. They have wings, we have wings. They have a tail, we have a tail. They have a beak, we have GPS.

We win.

About the Author

Author Dan Pimentel is a private pilot, writer, photographer and owner of an
advertising agency that specializes in ad campaign development for
national aviation clients. He also blogs about aviation issues at his blog, World of Flying.

Daytona: Kite Aerial Photography

Tom Kite Autographed Ball $50 Tom Kite Autographed Ball Signed Golf Ball

On Photography $19.95 First published in 1973, this is a study of the force of photographic images, which are continually inserted between experience and reality....

Tom Kite Signed Photograph - 11x14 $66 Tom Kite Signed Photograph - 11x14 Signed 11x14

Tom Kite Autographed Biography Series 8 x 10 Framed Photograph from Pro Tour Memorabilia $235.29 Tom Kite at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (1992). This was his first major championship Kite shot an even par 72 on a very windy day at Pebble Beach. Many players failed to break 80 Kite won by two. Dimensions: 20Wx18H. Authentically hand-signed photograph, museum quality double bevel-cut mat, and wood frame. Complete with player biography and engraved brass plate. This item comes in a burl (red) frame. A Certificate of Authenticity is included with this autographed photograph. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia Authentication Process: Pro Tour Memorabilia pioneered the authentication of autographed golf memorabilia and its stringent authentication process ensures that you are receiving a genuine, limited edition collector's item. Their unique process begins with a witness who actually supervises the signing of each piece. The golf professional then signs an affidavit certifying the authenticity of the item, as well as the number of pieces actually signed. A tamper-resistant, serial-numbered hologram is affixed to the finished product. A Certificate of Authenticity is then issued which bears the identical number appearing on the hologram. In addition, each certificate features a description of the item and the moment in history it reflects. This process guarantees the piece you have purchased is completely authentic. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia: Pro Tour Memorabilia has the LARGEST collection in the World of original, authentic autographed collectibles from the stars and legends of golf. Each professional works directly with Pro Tour Memorabilia to commission and develop products. Never before available exclusive golf mementos, historical photography and fine art lithographs, elegantly framed and impeccably presented. A Historic Investment - Each piece undergoes a stringent authentication process to ensure its value for generations to come. Pro Tour Memorabilia exclusively is the ONLY company holding exclusive agreements with its legendary golf professionals. Pro Tour Memorabilia is OFFICIALLY licensed by the PGA TOUR. In the event this photo is sold out, another photo of the same athlete will be sent.

Tom Kite Autographed Golf Club Head with 8 x 10 Framed Photograph from Pro Tour Memorabilia $249.95 Tom Kite at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (1992). This was his first major championship Kite shot an even par 72 on a very windy day at Pebble Beach. Many players failed to break 80 Kite won by two. Authentically hand-signed club heads, in a shadow box, with photograph and custom brass plate, elegantly double-matted. This item comes in a black frame. A Certificate of Authenticity is included with this autographed golf club head. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia Authentication Process: Pro Tour Memorabilia pioneered the authentication of autographed golf memorabilia and its stringent authentication process ensures that you are receiving a genuine, limited edition collector's item. Their unique process begins with a witness who actually supervises the signing of each piece. The golf professional then signs an affidavit certifying the authenticity of the item, as well as the number of pieces actually signed. A tamper-resistant, serial-numbered hologram is affixed to the finished product. A Certificate of Authenticity is then issued which bears the identical number appearing on the hologram. In addition, each certificate features a description of the item and the moment in history it reflects. This process guarantees the piece you have purchased is completely authentic. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia: Pro Tour Memorabilia has the LARGEST collection in the World of original, authentic autographed collectibles from the stars and legends of golf. Each professional works directly with Pro Tour Memorabilia to commission and develop products. Never before available exclusive golf mementos, historical photography and fine art lithographs, elegantly framed and impeccably presented. A Historic Investment - Each piece undergoes a stringent authentication process to ensure its value for generations to come. Pro Tour Memorabilia exclusively is the ONLY company holding exclusive agreements with its legendary golf professionals. Pro Tour Memorabilia is OFFICIALLY licensed by the PGA TOUR. In the event this photo is sold out, another photo of the same athlete will be sent.

Tom Kite Autographed Scorecard Series 8 x 10 Framed Photograph with Replica Scorecard from Pro Tour Memorabilia $308.82 Tom Kite at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (1992). This was his first major championship Kite shot an even par 72 on a very windy day at Pebble Beach. Many players failed to break 80 Kite won by two. Dimensions: 19Wx23H. Authentically hand-signed photograph, and commemorative scorecard with replica signature where available. A Certificate of Authenticity is included with this autographed photograph. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia Authentication Process: Pro Tour Memorabilia pioneered the authentication of autographed golf memorabilia and its stringent authentication process ensures that you are receiving a genuine, limited edition collector's item. Their unique process begins with a witness who actually supervises the signing of each piece. The golf professional then signs an affidavit certifying the authenticity of the item, as well as the number of pieces actually signed. A tamper-resistant, serial-numbered hologram is affixed to the finished product. A Certificate of Authenticity is then issued which bears the identical number appearing on the hologram. In addition, each certificate features a description of the item and the moment in history it reflects. This process guarantees the piece you have purchased is completely authentic. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia: Pro Tour Memorabilia has the LARGEST collection in the World of original, authentic autographed collectibles from the stars and legends of golf. Each professional works directly with Pro Tour Memorabilia to commission and develop products. Never before available exclusive golf mementos, historical photography and fine art lithographs, elegantly framed and impeccably presented. A Historic Investment - Each piece undergoes a stringent authentication process to ensure its value for generations to come. Pro Tour Memorabilia exclusively is the ONLY company holding exclusive agreements with its legendary golf professionals. Pro Tour Memorabilia is OFFICIALLY licensed by the PGA TOUR. In the event this photo is sold out, another photo of the same athlete will be sent.

Tom Kite Autographed Golf Ball $223.88 Tom Kite Autographed Golf Ball Official golf ball autographed by Tom Kite PGA Tour Golf Star

Intro to Kite Surfing $125 This course covers the essentials to begin kiting. It will cover a bit of theory, and you will have considerable hands-on experience. The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the sport of kiting, and teach you about how and why a kite flies, safe flying practices, and different kite types. This is a land based lesson with a small traction kite, where you'll learn kite control without risk of injury.After completion of this course, you should have the basic skills and fundamentals to hit the water or the snow and take your kiting to the next level.

Tom Kite Signature Series 7 x 9 Framed Photograph with Engraved Signature from Pro Tour Memorabilia $70.59 Tom Kite eagles the fifth hole at the shark shoot-out November 19, 1995. Dimensions: 16Wx13H. Classic 7x9 photographs of the greatest golfers in history come exquisitely double-matted and framed in wood moldings. Complete with brass descriptive plate, player biography and engraved player signature. Customize with your company, organization or event logo and special message. This item comes in a burgundy frame. Something About Pro Tour Memorabilia: Pro Tour Memorabilia has the LARGEST collection in the World of original, authentic autographed collectibles from the stars and legends of golf. Each professional works directly with Pro Tour Memorabilia to commission and develop products. Never before available exclusive golf mementos, historical photography and fine art lithographs, elegantly framed and impeccably presented. A Historic Investment - Each piece undergoes a stringent authentication process to ensure its value for generations to come. Pro Tour Memorabilia exclusively is the ONLY company holding exclusive agreements with its legendary golf professionals. Pro Tour Memorabilia is OFFICIALLY licensed by the PGA TOUR. In the event this photo is sold out, another photo of the same athlete will be sent.

Prism Triad Kite $24.95 If you're looking for a great activity for a family item, the Prism Triad is the kite for you. Just get this baby in the air and give everyone a turn on it. It is stable enough to hold its position as a regular kite would but, with a gentle tug on the string, the kite will tumble end over end and induce ooohs and aaahs from the crowd. The fun graphics will keep people enticed for hours as you, or anyone, regardless of skill level, maneuvers the kite through the air.

Prism Quantum Kite $111.95 If you are sure that kiting is for you and you want to learn on the best possible kite, the Prism Quantum is tailor-made for you. The Spectra line is the best in the business and the full carbon frame will be very forgiving in a crash. The seven foot wingspan will pull against you hard in heavy winds to give you a rush, but the Quantum is light enough to be handled in a light breeze. The impressive range of winds this kite can fly in make it a great kite for first time flyers and also means this is a kite you'll never outgrow.