In the spirit of the August photo contest...

[Grumpy Old Guy]

47. There is nothing like hearing that thunder up close.

My wife and I visited Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada earlier this year. On our way there we just happened to pull into a truck stop in North Las Vegas. Little did we know, we were just about a block off the end of the runway at Nellis AFB. Needless to say, we were treated to a great show that day

The western border of Death Valley runs along the Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierra. More often than not, there are jet fighters present. They often drop down to low altitude, giving us all a great show in the process. A few years ago I stopped for a few minutes at Red Rock Canyon State Park near Mojave, California. Just as I was pulling in two jet fighters passed low overhead. I grabbed my DSLR with my huge Sigma 150-600mm lens and jumped out of my truck to get the shot. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough. One of the pilots saw that I missed the shot, and circled back so I could get it. I waved as he was passing by, and he dipped his wings.

I'll be heading up to the mountains next month. Hopefully I might be able to stop and show my wife.