"Meet the Pilots" day at Intrepid

After much planning and anticipation, yesterday was "Meet the Pilots" day at Intrepid.  Eric brought in 6 fighter pilots, locally and from around the country, who actually flew aircraft aboard the Intrepid's flight deck. (Click any photo to enlarge).

Colonel Brent Richardson,  F-16 Falcon plot .. Rollie Shay, A-4B Skyhawk pilot .. Rear Admiral Lew Chatham, F11F-Tiger (Blue Angel #5) pilot .. Mike Barger, TopGun Instructor and co-founder of JetBlue Airways .. John Gill, TBM Avenger pilot .. Frank Murray, A-12 Blackbird pilot .. (my husband) Eric Boehm, Curator-Aviation & Aircraft Restoration

The day began with a panel question and answer session held in the Intrepid's Lutnick Theater, moderated by Mike Barger and Eric with assistance from Dina Ingersole.  Following  a casual lunch on the ship's fantail, the men took their places alongside their aircraft to answer questions from the public.  Eric presented each man with a commemorative piece of the Intrepid's original wood deck. 

Eric presenting plaques to Avenger pilot John Gill and FJ-3 Fury pilot Sam Folsom

In 1963 when Eric was only 4 years old, his dad brought him to his first air show where he saw this actual F11F Blue Angel #5 being flown by this pilot, Rear Admiral Lew Chatham.  Eric found Admiral Chatham through the Blue Angel reunion's website, leading to this amazing "full circle" moment.

To see more events on Intrepid, please visit Proof Positive Photography.

Squirrel and Gnome

With all of the critters in our yard, I always keep a camera handy.  Case in point, to catch a squirrel who's looking like he's giving advice to the gnome about where to shoot his slingshot.

 

 Shot with my Nikon D300s and Nikkor 70-200mm VRII lens.  ISO320 @ f/2.8 for 1/250s.

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Late Spring bird photos

Its that time of year when we see the young birds around our yard, learning to fly and being fed by their parents.  Here's a young female Cardinal. (Click to enlarge any photo).

And a baby Sparrow being fed by a parent.

A few days ago, we had our second visit by a Northern Flicker, a male this time.  We had a female here last Memorial Day but hadn't seen one since then.  He has a bright red "Y" shaped marking on the back of his head.  As he flew off, I saw the flash of his yellow tail feathers which are characteristic of the Eastern version of this species. 

 

All photos taken with Nikon D300s and Nikkor 70-200mm VRII lens at 200mm and heavily cropped. 

To see more bird photos here on Proof Positive Photo blog, click here.

Glen Rock Community School Spring Ballet Concert

Saturday, I enjoyed photographing the 30th Annual Spring Ballet Concert for Patch.com.  The performance, under the direction of Denise Piccino, featured her artfully choreographed dances, "Music of the Spheres", "The Elements", "Masques", and "Alice in Wonderland".

Shot with Nikon D300s and Nikkor 70-200mm VRII lens. ISO 500, f/2.8 @ 1/320s

The shoot was a challenge .. This was a low-light, fast action shoot with flash not permitted.  My test shots taken at a high ISO yielded too much grain, so I backed off on the ISO, and worked with shutter priority and in RAW.  With significant time in post, I got the images I was after.

I just love her expression.

These children were so joyful!

Wonderful dancing and acting.  Glen Rock has many talented residents!

Link to all 51 photos are posted here, on Glen Rock Patch. 

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Birds at Manasquan Reservoir

A weekend getaway to the Jersey shore, long overdue and very welcome.  Here are a few new bird shots taken at the Manasquan Reservoir.

Nuthatch with sunflower seed lunch

Redwinged Blackbird with insect lunch

A juvenile Catbird with a lovely song

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Memorial Day Ceremony at Intrepid

When it comes to commemorating Memorial Day, nobody does it better than Intrepid.  With her long history and dedication to veterans and active duty alike, she serves as a gathering place on this important day.  This morning, the deck was full of military, active and retired, and supporters both youthful and elderly. 

 

 (Click on any photo to enlarge)

The crowd on the flight deck listened to the inspirational words of Intrepid President Susan Marenoff-Zausner, an invocation by Navy Commander Timothy Oswald, and remarks by Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., U.S. Navy.

Mets Justin Turner, Mike Pelfrey, and Jason "Izzy" Isringhausen joined their General Manager Sandy Alderson on the flight deck.  Alderson participated in the wreath laying ceremony.

Singer/songwriter Joe Brucato sang his heartfelt song "Thank You Soldier".  Hear it below.

The highlight of the ceremony was unfurling of a 100' flag, held on all four sides by active military and veterans.  Eric and his assistant Kevin took their places on the hem of the flag.

2 Hornets and 2 Super Hornets flew overhead after the flag was unfurled.

A day like this makes one feel so proud to be American, and very grateful to the men and woman who sacrifice so much for our freedom.  Thank you Intrepid for all you do!  Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.

Portraits of Flight aviation art gallery opening at Intrepid

In celebration of 100 years of American Naval Aviation, my husband Eric, Curator of Aviation and Aircraft Restoration, and his support team at Intrepid, opened the first fine art show at the Museum yesterday.  With his passion for aircraft and for art, and as a 20-year Air Force veteran, Eric was especially pleased to have arranged for the exhibit. (Click on any photo to enlarge).

The exhibit features paintings by members of the American Society of Aviation Artists, a worldwide organization whose goal is to "affirm standards of professionalism, authenticity and artistic quality in aerospace art".

Eric with aviation artist and author Andrew Whyte with his book "How to Draw and Paint Aircraft Like a Pro".  Mr. Whyte signed the copy of the book to Eric.

Rear Admiral Ted Branch, Intrepid CFO Pat Beene, Intrepid President Susan Marenoff-Zausner, artist and President of ASAA Keith Ferris, Curator of Aviation Eric Boehm, Intrepid Executive Vice President Dave Winters

Full house at the gallery opening

The new exhibit, which is located upstairs from the gift shop near the front of the Museum, will run until September 5th and is free with admission.  For more on the exhibit from Intrepid's website, click here.

For more Intrepid events, see gallery at Proof Positive Photography.

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SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011

NAVY LEAGUE ADOPTION CEREMONY ABOARD THE USS NEW YORK

Directly after the gallery opening, Eric and I headed down to Staten Island to attend and photograph the Adoption Ceremony of the majestic USS New York by the Navy League and the September 11th Families' Association.

The hull of the USS New York is made of steel from the fallen World Trade Center towers.  Dozens of family members of 9/11 victims were in attendance along with a host of Navy Leaguers.

Commanding Officer of the USS New York William Hermann, USN accepting adoption plaque from Navy League New York Council President J. Robert Lunney

RDML Robert Ravitz, who was a firefighter on 9/11 and lost a son that day, also a firefighter, presenting a plaque to Commander Hermann for the Adoption of the USS New York by the September 11th Families' Association.  Jennifer Adams, President of the Association, who lost her boyfriend that day, looks on.

"God rays" pouring down on the bow of the ship for the touching ceremony.

Click here for Proof Positive Photography website.