Gwen and Gary have a fine tradition and great location for their Seafair Party. We've been several times before, to their gracious parties and even house-sat with Lilly, their little Yorkie. They always have a good group of family and friends and delightful food! We had just arrived when, a Navy EA-18G Growler blasted by with a roar that rattled the windows. A couple Growlers flew as slow as they could, with a prop plane, and then ripped a few more passes by us. It's hard to follow or find them, by the time you hear them, they are gone! Gary may have been waving his red napkin for them - they were close! In comparison, the Air Force C17 whispered by so softly, you wonder how such a big plane, can be so quiet. Then the Air Force F35A attacked, roaring around, flipping upside down, all over the place, and even spewing flares. We needed a break and the PBY-5A Catalina, known for marine pilot rescues, quietly flew by and then the hydroplane races roared! Wow what a show above and below us! Next the Marines F35B Lightning II, designed for vertical/short takeoff and landing, hovered over the lake. Then Fat Albert, the Blue Angeles support plane, a Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules flew at us and below us, low over the log barge. Then the Navy Blue Angels wrapped up the show flying alone, sometimes below us, or in formations of up to six. They put on quite a show!
As a still photographer, I usually shoot one frame at a time. This year I wanted to test the continuous autofocus on the planes, and shooting up to 8 frames a second, had a lot to edit. I left a few pics in, where you can see changes in less than a second. Of course, I always try to get pics of everyone at the party, and a little of the fine food. What a good group - thanks all! (Click on any image below for a much larger image "slide show" - arrow keys work well.)
If you see more than four images per row, you will miss out on the frame, date, and time info - just shrink your window size.