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Sunday, January 14, 2018

Sunrise Sunday

My sunrise buddy, Shyla, and I have seen some truly incredible sunrises recently. I find it so hard to get out of bed when it's still dark so that I'm ready for sunrise but the rewards are stupendous.


The clouds have been the source of amazing skies recently. Just this morning, the clouds made a brilliant pattern in the sky.

When I stand on the ground outside my house, I can see only pinkish hues through the forest. I don't know what I'll see when I pop my drone up above the trees. I usually start by looking east (photo above), and then I start to rotate to other views. This morning, I turned a little to the south, and I was dumbfounded by the unexpected colors.

Then, I turned toward the west. This view usually reveals snowy mountains below pinkish clouds. To my surprise this morning, the vibrant pink-orange clouds completely obscured the mountains. Alas, a cloud front over the Divide that completely obscures the mountains usually means big winds, and I was just about to encounter them.

Just as I snapped the photo to the west, the wind started to carry my drone to the east. Believe me, the air was perfectly calm when I started this flight and only about 2 minutes had passed. From experience, I've learned how to handle this situation, pointing the drone toward me and giving it full throttle. I know that I might have to wait out the wind gusts before it will be able to make progress toward me. In a worst case scenario, I'd land it in place if the motor weren't strong enough to overcome the wind. That didn't happen today. The gust died down, and it returned to hovering over me.

I was in a big hurry to get it on the ground for safety but I had time to snap a couple more photos as it descended. This one was my favorite.
I have been so happy to get to see the 360° view of sunrises using my drone. However, flying it requires more practice and knowledge than I expected. I think it's difficult because I'm flying at high altitude in the mountains where the wind can kick up in an instant.

My rule is that I must have had my morning coffee before I can do a sunrise flight. Trying to fly it while sleepy would not work!

Just in case you're worried, I don't think that any neighbors notice that I'm flying it at sunrise (no one has mentioned it and none live very close). It stays over our land and is high enough that it's not easily heard. I read that people worry about being spied upon by a drone - but consumer drones have cameras with such extremely wide angle lenses that people are too small to see in the photos (if flying at a reasonable/polite altitude). You probably can tell that from my photos.

Happy Sunrise Sunday!

16 comments:

  1. God's crayon box always amazes me, and up that high we see what can't be seen from the ground. so beautiful. as i type i look to my right and see that beautiful mountain lion.. sights like these would not be available to us without the new technology.

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  2. Hari OM
    There is a lot of talk over here about licensing drone-users; which makes sense actually, because genuine peeps like yourself would not have any issue with proving themselves in the same way as we do for driving. Of course, there is a lot of hoo-hah about 'rights'. Owning a drone is not a right. It is a privilege, a luxury. Using them with respect and care as you do is essential. I love what they can provide, but can also see how they could be intrusive. As to your wind; we have a ripsnorter here today. The gulls are flying backwards. They seem to be enjoying that as only gulls can do! YAM xx

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  3. Those clouds are great. I'm loving the drone photos, I really want one to find wildlife with. Having it out where the horses live would be perfect.

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  4. The dark doesn't bother me as much as the cold temps but you're right, the rewards have been worth it. Snow is predicted for tomorrow so stay safe and warm.

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  5. OMCs you have a flying camera and we love what it shares with us
    Hugs madi and mom

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  6. those morning views are so worth getting up in the dark for, and before the wind is too strong. Not invasive at all, and even where you camp is so remote.Down here a man was prosecuted recently for flying his drone near fire fighting aircraft. 8 choppers with monsoon buckets were grounded until he was found, and the drone seized. His excuse, he thought he was far enough away for safety. There is one used in Antarctica, that was built at a place near where we live!!!

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  7. Hadn't thought about the skill involved with a drone...but it is definitely worth it. We're always up before dawn here.

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  8. Stupendous is right! The colors are just incredible!

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  9. Oh yes, seeing a sky like that would make is so worthwhile to get up early and hit the cold air:) As always, amazing photos. You are a drone photography master as well!!!

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  10. Ahhh you have a drone now! I really want one of those but at the moment if I want to get high up for pictures I just ask my dad to lift me with the tractor loader - a health and safety inspector's nightmare! But you live in such a beautiful place and now you can see it from a whole new, magical perspective! How exciting! 😄

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  11. Those are such amazing photos and I'm glad the drone is okay!

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  12. Wow KB.. you have caught some fantastic photos! You have become a drone pilot!
    Just look at what is waiting for you when you step outside,, into the Universe's sky!
    love
    tweedles

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  13. You have gotten very good with that! Beautiful photos.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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