Balloons in Cave Creek January 2022

A sunrise visit to the Cave Creek Arizona area north of Phoenix hunting for hot air balloons. 

Early on I was disappointed.  I could see a few balloons, but they were way off in the distance.   I was thinking... well, at least I'll get a great breakfast at Local Jonny's in Cave Creek.  

Then I got excited heading east on Carefree Highway and pulled over on 24th Street because there were TONS of balloons in the air!   

I found them!!!!!

I used a Canon EOS R6 and two lenses: the Canon RF 24-240mm and the Canon RF 800mm.

After capturing images for about an hour, down the road I go and had a great breakfast.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images of the hot air balloons over Cave Creek Arizona!

Luke AFB December 2021

Just before Christmas 2021, I met up with Larry Grace, president of the International Society for Aviation Photograph, to capture take offs and landings at Luke Air Force Base in the far west near Phoenix, Arizona.

All images I captured with the Canon EOS R6 and Tamron 100-400mm and Tamron 150-600mm lenses.  

I first parked outside the northern border of Luke AFB to try my hand at photographing take offs.  

Larry then suggested visiting a spot on the south side of the base to get a chance to photograph jets landing.   That worked out well!

Luke AFB is the home of the F-35A Lightening II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircrafts. 

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from Luke AFB!

Arizona Gunfighters in Cave Creek December 2021

The Arizona Gunfighters returned to Cave Creek to re-enact famous gunfights of the old west. 

Check out their webpage to see when they'll come to your area!

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click on the image below to see all of my images from the Arizona Gunfighters visit to Cave Creek!

Deer Valley Airport December 2021

On two dates in December of 2021, I visited Deer Valley Airport on Phoenix's north side.

I photographed landings and touch and goes during both visits.

  

One interesting tid-bit is Deer Valley Airport is the fifth busiest airport in the world for take-offs and landings.  

I used a Canon EOS R6 + Tamron 150-600mm lens.  

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from Deer Valley Airport

CAF Fly-Over Phoenix 7 December 2021

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) remembered Pearl Harbor Day 7 December of 2021.

The CAF in Arizona is at Falcon Field in Mesa.

For the Fly-Over, I followed the map they put out showing where and when they'd fly overhead in the Phoenix area.

I scouted out a location at the north end of the flight, at the
National Cemetery off of Cave Creek Road.

I photographed with a Canon EOS R6 and Tamron 150-600mm lens, hand held and braced against my car.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from the FLy-Over

Odysea in Scottsdale November 2021

Situated in north Scottsdale is an aquarium as good as any along the coast in California.  It's called Odysea.  

They have about every kind of sea creature you can think of.

They're very family friendly.   Any after 4:30pm they offer discounts.  

I've found the best time to photograph is when they first open.   At this time it was 9am. 

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from Odysea!

  

Saturday 23 October 2021 was the date for the Wicked Bar Crawl in Cave Creek, Arizona.

As a participant, I can tell you it was loads of fun.  A huge turnout and nobody seemed to get out of hand.

Seven bars participated and there was bus service all evening so it was easy to get from bar to bar.  Plus, it prevented many of us who had a few adult beverages along the way from driving.

The evening started at Brugo's in Stagecoach Village.   I figured a good belly full of pasta would be a good way to start the evening.   This is quality Italian/Sicilian food!   I promise the next time I visit it will be for pizza! 

The fun included Mountain View Pub, Local Jonny's, Big Earl's Greasy Eats, The Hideaway, Buffalo Chip and Saloon, Harold's Corral, and The Roadhouse.   

I'm already thinking about next years costume. 

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from Brugo's and the Wicked Bar Crawl!

 

A Rainforest in the Desert Called Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly Wonderland is a rainforest in the middle of the Sonoran Desert in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Of course, it is a man made rainforest.   

Given the name, the focus is on butterflies.   But the tropical plants are amazing along with any rainforest surprises.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from Butterfly Wonderland!

Bermuda COVID/Wuhan Adventure on the Viking Orion

Yes, I did visit Bermuda during the week of 6 July 2021.  But there was more to it than that.

I had to get tested for the virus a few days before leaving.   And get all the vaccinations.  Don't forget to mask up starting in the Phoenix airport.   And, mask during the flight, breathing in my own exhaust.   Did  I mention I was fully vaccinated?   Then, on the Viking Orion, you have to mask up.   That got old quickly.   

My one complaint was I was not fully informed about this until AFTER I paid for the trip.   

The Orion was half or less full by design.   But it seemed fully crewed.   The sights of Bermuda were wonderful.   The people very kind and appreciate as it seemed as though we might have been the first cruise ship in about a year and a half to return.   

Landing back in Phoenix, the first thing to be done?  THROW AWAY THE MASK!

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

Click the photo below for all of my images from Bermuda... 

Jim with Mr. Jones, town crier of St. George's Bermuda and former mayor!