Miramar Air Show 2008

The Blue Angels

My chest is tight, full yet empty, I can't breath... there is this heavy feeling, what could it be? I think one word sums it all up (and it's not 'heart-attack'), PRIDE! Standing on the hot concrete flight with thousands of strangers, my heart nearly burst with pride as loud engines rumbled over head. Opening my mouth I can feel the "jet noise" rumble in my lungs and there is no better feeling... that is until the man standing next to be grabs my hand and we stroll over to the jets. He starts telling me stories of his flights and what this grey thing-a-me-bobber does and what that controller-mick-thingy does. This overwhelming sense of heart stopping pride is almost too much to bear! Even with the kids hopped up on "air show" junk, nothing took away how proud I am to be part of all this.

We ran into old friends and new, swapped stories (I listened because I don't have stories of my own because, seriously, no one wants me flying those things in the sky), and watched the skies as birds of metal gracefully climbed and dived. Watching the air show through my children's eyes was an experience that I can't wait to experience again and again! BJ gasped and screamed "JET! HIGH! SKY! Look Momma - cooool...." so many times I can't count. His adorable rendition of jet noise is a sound to behold! Brielle, not as interested in the planes, in turn exclaimed that she wanted everything from the stands we passed. We could of easily ran through her entire college account if we bought the cheapest item from each stall. The whole "I want..." did get tiring, but once we found an open space where she could listen to the Verizon stalls groovy music and dance, she was happy.

This was the first time I was able to witness the magic of the Blue Angels. These pilots are the most amazing people alive! I felt like a kid watching the show. Again, I was over come with that heart-stopping-empty-full-heavy sense of pride. I love, and I mean I should capitalize that L-O-V-E, jets!

Next year, without a doubt, we are buying front row-top-of-the-line tickets. I'm also buying a great IS (image stabilizing) telephoto zoom lens to capture the sweat dripping off the Blue Angels face because I want my own great captures to take home with me to put up on my wall that says "I was there, and that ROCKS"! Who knew I would be so in love with this type of photography? It really got me in the ol' blood pumper!

Here are a few of the mediocre shots I did manage to capture.


P51 Mustang, F-16 Falcon and F-22 Raptor - Heritage Flight


Blades of a C130



F-22 Raptor blasting through the humid San Diego air


This is two FA-18s. One is inverted and flying close to the lead to make it appear like one plane... so cool!


Four Angels


Angels over the sun


Five in a loop


I guess you never grow out of being amazed!


Exploring the V-22 Osprey



This is one of those moments where he yelled "Look! Jet! High! Cooool..."




I just loved this shot of our friends... He's a little camera shy!


I did mange to entice him for a moment to catch this heedful look!