Rainbows and Hummingbirds

Photos by Charles Dee Rice

The pictures here were shot by amateur photographer Chuck Rice, KC4KQE, of Apache Junction.  He provided me with large exports that are about a third the size of his masters, shot on a 10-plus megapixel Nikon D80 camera.  I reduced those to a 640 width for display on the page, and have provided a link to the larger versions.

My original write-up identified Chuck as a professional photographer, but he prefers to be referred to as an "amateur with a passion" rather than a "professional" any day!  Chuck's serious hobbies besides amateur radio are photography and audio production. 

Rainbows

Rainbows were one of the prettier sights from a vicious storm that howled through Apache Junction during the HOTT month of August 2007.  With 110 degrees on September 1, there were 32 days of temperatures of 110 degrees or more this summer, busting the record of 28 days and exceeding the normal 10 days per year of 110, as measured at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix.

These two pictures were shot on the day of a vicious rain storm that hit Apache Junction, AZ, showing the resulting rainbow by the Superstition Mountains.  He said the rainbow touched the ground on both ends!

Larger version from Chuck's master.

Chuck Rice, amateur photographer, said he will have more and better pictures of the rainbow soon available for sale.

These two pictures were shot on the day of a vicious rain storm that hit Apache Junction, AZ, showing the resulting rainbow by the Superstition Mountains.  Chuck says the rainbow touched the ground on both ends!

Larger version from Chuck's master.

Hummingbirds

KC4KQE has had some luck catching these hummingbirds in flight.

Larger version from Chuck's master.

And here is a close-up view of one!

Larger version from Chuck's master.

And the Wind Blew!

The picture below is of Chuck's multiband vertical, stationed about 30 or 40 feet beyond his back yard fence.  The wind added a permanent 30 degree tilt to the left.

Chuck took this image from his master of the next picture, readjusted the develompent settings and blew it up to emphasize the antenna.  The antenna is to the right of the cacti, and above the tree.

Trees in Chuck's back yard are swaying in a windstorm.  His bent vertical is to the right of the cacti.

Larger version from Chuck's master.

I edited this copy to indicate where the antenna is before Chuck sent the enhanced picture above.

This is hail as Chuck shot this picture out his front door.

Larger version from Chuck's master.

The tarp in the lower left was being used to try to keep Chuck's office dry during the storm, but it served as a shelter for a baby bird that was blown out of its nest.  Meanwhile, the heavy patio furniture was being blown about, he said.

The bird was later returned to the nest and Mama Bird was seen fussing over her baby, and Chuck was glad to see that.  The bird was saved.

Larger version from Chuck's master.

Chuck has sent me a picture of that lucky bird as it huddled in its storm shelter!

Larger version from Chuck's master.