June 30, 2011

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This is a Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon of WW2 vintage, a light bomber now spending it's days resigned to gravity at the Napa Valley Airport near Schellville, California.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Her vital statistics:

Crew: 5
Engine: (not listed)
Horsepower:
Span: 75ft 0in
Length: 52ft 1in
Empty weight: 21,028lb
Loaded weight: 33,668lb
Maximum weight: 36,000lb
Maximum Speed: 282mph at 13,700ft
Cruising Speed: 171 mph
Service ceiling: 23,900ft
Normal Range: 1,790 miles
Maximum Range: 2,880 miles
Guns: Nine 0.50in machine guns
Bomb load: 3,000lb plus 2,000lb under the wings



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

The Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon was the final production version of the Ventura bomber, modified to make it a better maritime patrol aircraft. The main aim of this project was to improve the range of the aircraft, and so the fuel capacity was increased from 1,607 US gallons in the PV-1 to 1,863 US gallons by the installation of integrated fuel tanks in the wing outer panels. To compensate for the increase in weight at take-off, the wing span was increased by 9ft 6in and the vertical tail surfaces were also enlarged.

The PV-2 carried five 0.50in machine guns in the nose (three in a gun pack), two 0.50in guns in the dorsal turret and two in the ventral position. It could carry 4,000lb of bombs or depth charges in the bomb bay, and eight 5in HVAR rockets under the wings. The rockets could be replaced by 1,000lb bombs.


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

The US Navy placed an order for 500 PV-2s on 30 June 1943. The first flight came on 3 December 1943, and deliveries of the new aircraft began in March 1944. A serious problem was soon discovered with the integrated wing fuel tanks – the wings wrinkled and the tanks leaked. The first 30 aircraft had these fuel tanks seals off, were redesignated as the PV-2C and used as training machines. The remaining 470 aircraft were produced with standard self-sealing tanks inside the wings.

Lockheed also received an order of 908 PV-2D Harpoons, with eight 0.50in machine guns, but only thirty five of these aircraft were completed before production was cancelled at the end of the war.

Although it was a successful design, the PV-2 Harpoon entered service too late to make a major contribution to the war in the Pacific. The first unit to receive it was VPB-139, which converted from the VP-1 in time for a tour of duty in the Aleutians from March 1945. It was retained for some time after the war, serving with the Naval Reserve where at its peak it equipped eleven squadrons. The last squadron to use it, VP-3, phased it out in August 1948.

[ Information blatently lifted from HistoryOfWar.org ]

CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 29, 2011

capturing the moment in San Francisco


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Oh lord, I don't think too many people quite "got" my Transamerica Building swinging from utility wires -- oh well, I had fun toying with the concept.
I really appreciate your feedback on the voting/poll system.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

All I can say is that there are photographers and then there ARE photographers. And this ARE a photographer...

I found him working at a feverish pace doing a street portrait before the start of the Pride Parade on Sunday. He was working with 8x10 film -- that's the way Ansel Adams did a lot of his best images -- there is no finer way. Nor is there any way that is any more demanding. To photograph this way takes time and money. As a kid I did 4x5 view camera work, so I have an idea of the demands involved -- I'll just use my nice digital DSLR and dream about the past. But my hat is off to this fellow. He was so busy I didn't want to distract him by asking him his name.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And if that fellow with the view camera had been up on upper Grant Street earlier, we both could have shot this musical storefront.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

But then I'd try to show my new friend with the big view camera just how flexible the modern digital DSLR is -- it can travel fast and shoot like a machine gun. Creativity, ad nauseam...


CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 28, 2011

Pride Parade, San Francisco


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

When it comes to "kinky" I'm pretty sure I'd want to be neither the dominated or dominator -- that is, of course, if I had a choice.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

So, on Sunday, for the forty-first time, San Francisco held it's annual Pride Parade on Market Street. The huge "Dykes on Bikes" contingent always lead the parade. With revving engines, whistles and heavy horns, they always make as much noise as the possibly can.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Of course, gay boys like to ride bikes too -- and can make almost as much noise. And yes, folks, back in the '60's, gay or straight, we DID wear clothes like that.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I'm not sure who the happy rider on the left is, but that's Cher's daughter, Chas Bono, on the right. Hands up in the audience for everybody who remember "Chastity" when she was in diapers? I remember -- not everyone was happy that she had been named "Chastity".
(Sorry for such an unflattering photo of you, Chas, but really, we've got to get you together with Richard Simmons, quickly.)



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

But yes, this is the end so it is time for the moral of the story. Hmmmm, lets see, maybe it could be that "love wins". What a concept...



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 27, 2011

hearing rumors at Lagunitas Creek


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Listen closely to the babbling waters of the Lagunitas Creek and you might hear rumors of a new 80 page beautifully printed photo-book showing-off the place. Just rumors at this point -- I'm sure we will hear ALL about it later. Ad infinitum. Brace yourselves.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And of course, if you've been an AphotoAday visitor for any length of time, you know that I do indeed love my Lagunitas Creek.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I also love the little whisps of vegetation -- it's a new crop each year, and I must report that the plants in this area seem to grow in the most artistic and beautiful manner.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And of course, this is the mighty Lagunitas Creek, itself. In the proper light and at the right time it turns into a river of gold. Gold that won't pay for lunch, but gold that seems to fill my soul. Amen.




CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 26, 2011

Canada Geese -- lets follow the leader


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I'm not exactly sure what status a Canada Goose needs to achieve before becoming group leader -- maybe he or she is the smartest or best looking. But as far as who makes the decisions I'm holding on to the notion that they all form some sort of consensus when it's time to move, but just want to do it one by one -- perhaps so they can sort everyone out. A parade of sorts.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I snagged the first photo early on a misty morning out at Nicasio Lake Friday morning, but this (above) and the next photo were taken yesterday in the Bolinas Lagoon, a prime avian viewing area for the west coast.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

The Canada Geese all paddled over to this land mass, one by one came out of the water and joined the march, which ended at the other end of the land mass, where they all, one by one, went back into the water.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

No, no geese -- this is mud. But this is mud with a pattern. Mud with a purpose. I'd call it "artistic mud" if giving it a name made any difference.

Looks like it would be delicious to walk in. Barefoot. With webbed feet.
Quack. Quack.




CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 25, 2011

Nicasio Lake - early in the morning


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Just about every day I have to decide on a destination (lucky me) -- but I suppose a lot of days I just arrive some place.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Hopefully it's a beautiful place, or dramatic, or at least interesting.

I was going for a limited focus in these photos -- shooting at f-2.8 is a lot of fun, and since shutter speeds are so high at f-2.8, no tripod is necessary.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

It's nice when the place is still and quiet. Sometimes it can be a secret.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Last year's crop of native Yarrow. The stems are hollow and fragile, yet they'll stand this whole year as skeletons.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

7AM now in this photo, but soon the sun will warm the air. These morning clouds will vanish, giving way to a blue and clear sky.



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 24, 2011

yes folks, this is Kitty


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Welcome to MY world -- the world that Kitty rules. Yes folks, this is Kitty.



 
photo by Donald Kinney

Sorting back through past editions of pestbouncer.com it looks like 2004 and 2005 were years when I was spending a lot of time photographing Kitty -- not so much these days. In fact after about 8 years I have decided to stop "doing" KittyBLOG (((I'd hardly call it writing))). Not that I have lost interest in Kitty -- our love and devotion is stronger than ever -- but I just don't have much spare time to mess with her silly blog.



 
photo by Donald Kinney

But yeah, 8 years of KittyBLOG. It's been a gas, and yes, Kitty is ALWAYS here -- lap central -- helping me with not only her own silly blog, but all of the other silliness that goes on here in KittyLAND. Often she makes typing as difficult as possible, but in the winter she makes a good little lap heater. Oh, I love my Kitty...



 
photo by Donald Kinney

Although I don't know her exact age, Kitty is getting up there in years. She likes to be catered to and I'm just the sucker to do it. I am her slave. That's just the way it is.



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 23, 2011

color on the water


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Color on the water, and rather pretty -- what could it be?
Looks like the golden hills of Marin County -- that would be my guess.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And the red turns out to be a bit of color from the Golden Gate Bridge -- I think they call the color International Orange. Some visitors get upset when they find out that the bridge isn't actually painted gold, but the "Golden Gate" was located here long before the bridge was built. It's a gate to the gold in them-thar-hills.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

More like blood in the water than anything else -- watch out for sharks!



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Masts, rigging, and all things nautical and twisted down at the docks in nearby Sausalito. Life goes on...



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 22, 2011

Lagunitas Creek - soaking it all in...


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

The Lagunitas Creek. I call it my own. I suppose because I'm usually the only person out there to soak it all in. This is west Marin County, California, not far north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I call it home.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Someone asked me the length of the mighty Lagunitas, and my quick guess is about 15 miles, with a plethora of streams and "occasional" creeks joining it along the way.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Pretty, isn't it? In the warm shallows you might even find schools of newly hatched Steelhead Trout and Coho Salmon.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And if there is possibly a more tranquil place than my beloved Lagunitas Creek, please let me know, because when it comes to peace and tranquility, I just can't to seem to get enough of the stuff.



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 21, 2011

the San Francisco I remember


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

It was always a land of Oz to me -- I was young. And I had been warned of the wickedness -- especially in that area just south of Market Street known as Skid-Row. Today they call it SOMA (South of Market Area), home of the "dot-com" bust a few years ago.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I was also warned to steer clear of the Embarcadero area, so naturally, as soon as I was able it was first on my list to explore. I had seen plenty of foggy TV waterfront murder-mysteries and crime-thrillers filmed in this area -- and there I was, imagining I was part of the scene.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney


Piles of goods were moved on and off boats in what seemed to be organized chaos. A belt-line railroad serviced the docks, and these tracks (in photo above) lead towards the old engine round-house.

San Francisco was the major west coast port but eventually San Francisco could no longer accommodate larger container ships and shipping moved across the bay to Oakland.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And although shipping has vanished, San Francisco still bends a lot of elbows. Ting, ting... Glug, glug...



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And we dream of former days. When sailing a ship must have been more like flying a kite. When men went down in ships while their mates waited patiently, praying for their safe return.

A toast to the San Francisco of old... Ting, ting... Glug, glug...



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 20, 2011

a book is in the works! -- "Lagunitas Creek"


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

This isn't exactly the official announcement, but here's a sneak peek with the on-line edition. This is my new (and first) book; "Lagunitas Creek". (for full-screen click on the arrow-button in lower right corner of book viewer)



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

But NO FOOLIN', folks -- I've done an 80 page book -- it's being printed in two versions, from two printers, as we speak. This is a significant event for me, but actually it's the end result of a really cool night-class I've been taking at Stanford on "How to Self-Publish a Photo-Book". I'll tell you a lot more about the class later, along with exact and exciting news of what the class is doing for our book-signing on July 7. Stay tuned.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

But yeah, it's finally going to happen. And I'm glad I've waited this long because my selection of photos has improved over the years. And I will most certainly continue to "shoot" out at the creek. I'm rather fond of the place.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

Endless designs and patterns to sort out and frame up. They boggle my mind.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I turned this images all four ways -- and I STILL can't figure out which way it's supposed to be. But right-side-up or not, I think I like it turned this way.



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.

June 19, 2011

my old friend, rust


click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I think it's absolutely beautiful, with such a vibrant and earthy color. Chemical processes, spewing hot shades of orange -- you've got to wonder.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And of course, one of my favorite places for rust is China Camp, on the peaceful banks of San Pablo Bay.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

I think 7-UP was probably Coca-Cola's largest competition before Pepsi came along. 7-UP was the "un-cola", and the advertising firms undoubtedly spent fortunes on their campaigns.



click photo for full-size image
photo by Donald Kinney

And after a tall rusty bottle of 7-UP it's nice to know that if I need to visit the rusty facilities, I certainly can, but probably won't.

Come back tomorrow and we'll flush it all away with the ripples and reflections of our old favorite -- the Lagunitas Creek.



CLICK for what I call my BIG site.
 
under construction