Friday, May 23, 2008

Sky Watch Friday


When you live in a navy town, watching the skies often results in the sighting of naval aircraft. Here we actually have two naval bases - one an actual port for ships and the other a naval air station for only planes.


While strolling around the TPC Sawgrass a few weeks ago the pilot of this particular plane - known as a P3 Orion - evidently decided he wanted to watch a little golf as well, because it came flying over the course from the ocean and proceeded to make a few loops overhead; I can only assume the crew was leaning to look out the windows and catch a glimps of the golf course below.


The P3 Orion is an older plane now, soon to be replaced, but it still does a good job. It is a surveillance craft - crammed full of listening divices to track submarines. It gathers data and relays it to surface ships and friendly submarines in the area to help coordinate efforts to thwart the enemy. But today I think the only enemy was that they were on duty and not on the ground watching golf. :)

Be sure to visit Tom for all the Sky Watch Friday fun, and a happy long Memorial Day weekend to all of my fellow Americans.

22 comments:

dot said...

Very nice blue sky and plane shots! Hope you and Erin enjoy the holiday.

DigitalShutterMania said...

Alan, great shots for this sky watch Friday. Referring your question posted in my bog, I did not use a CPL for my sky watch. CPL is effectively used only when we are 90 degree off a sun light direction. The reason why sky is so blue is due to twilight time.

Cheers,
DSM.

Juliana said...

i like your last shots...so close.

My SWF in here Thanks

Anonymous said...

oh...i never can take a shot like you...so close the aircraft. Great shots.

Mine in here Thanks

Suzi-k said...

great post, and interesting info; I wonder if they were trying to listen in on the score and the thwack of clubs against golf balls whilst circling :)

Max-e said...

I love watching these big turbo prop driven planes in the sky. It seems amazing that they are able to stay up there.

Carletta said...

This has me missing my recently moved away from Navy area - Norfolk.
Awesome images!

Snap Catch said...

perfect shots for SWF! mine's up too hope you can drop by..

FO - 2 said...

GREAT captures! :)

Anonymous said...

Great plane that was; mainly used in surveillance missions ... never thought someone would have a P3 as a private plane!

SandyCarlson said...

Not what I'd expect to fly out of those branches! Great shots.

Tom said...

Don't see enough aircraft onSky Watch so maybe I've have to capture a few for next week. they make great Sky Watch pictures..

peppylady (Dora) said...

We used to live by our local airport and after a while you just got use to it and didn't paid no mine to it.
Once in while you would look up if the ground shook.
I live in a low population of North Idaho.

This is my first time playing.

Profile Not Available said...

I think I would prefer flying...I am not a golfer...but I bet the course looked beautiful from above!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Interesting shots of the Navy planes. Good SWF. I live very close to a U.S.A.F. installation (C-130's) and see planes in the air frequently. Fortunatly, I don't live in the main flight path of those biggies. This is my first visit to your blog; you have some fascinating photos and narrative. I'll be back.

Daniel J Santos said...

great catch, well done.

Petunia said...

Great plane shots:)
Perfect weather to travel!
Petunia's SWF

Andrea said...

Beautiful bright blue sky. The plane is a great capture.

VaQueenBee said...

Very cool shot with the plane against that blue, blue sky!

Anonymous said...

nice shots. I love watching the airplanes

Unknown said...

Great catch!

Neva said...

I like your planes!