Tag: Dana Point

Waiting for some wind

Well, it was another completely windless day. Due to daylight savings time, the sun is now up later so I took a quick jaunt to Doheny State Beach (at Dana Point) to try and fly the Rev 1.5 (which is also an extremely low wind kite). Of course, there was no wind again (this is getting to be rather unreal) although I managed to get the kite up for about 30 seconds – that was shear bliss! Anyway, I tried for about an hour and a half with essentially no luck before the sun began to set. While the temperature was in the low 80’s (perhaps a record high for the day), there wasn’t even the slightest ocean breeze – ugh!

Anyway, in honor of the incredibly horrible flying conditions, I’ve now decided to add the weather to my blog – current conditions at John Wayne Airport (the closest National Weather Service Station) may be found on the right side of this blog. Even now, very, very early in the morning, the NWS is reporting zero winds. I’m just hoping and praying for a change in the very near future – I want to fly, in addition to getting my new remote controlled KAP rig airborne. The lack of wind is getting to be ridiculous. I also heard on the radio that this is, apparently, the driest year on record for Southern California. I don’t know if that is true, but it sure seems like it. Keeping my fingers crossed for some wind.

Boats in the harbor at Dana Point, California


Boats in the harbor at Dana Point, California
Originally uploaded by Bassoon Man.

One of the great things about KAPing is that I’m not really sure what I’ll get until I get home and look at the photos. Currently, my camera takes a photo approximately once every fifteen seconds and a tiny, battery operated motor (called a servo) also rotates the camera about 30 degrees at the same time. As a result, the camera eventually makes a complete circle and starts all over again. While many KAPers use remote controls designed to pilot radio controlled model airplanes, my rig does sport that feature. That’s not a problem though as it’s fun to see what comes up. About the only thing I can control is the angle of the camera and even that is somewhat variable as the angle can change due to the winds. I like this photo of the colors (the blue water contrasted with the trees that line the roads and think that the angels of the docks are also interesting. All in all, I’m pleased with the way this photo turned out.

Okay, I’m hooked!


Breakwater
Originally uploaded by Bassoon Man.

Yes, I’ve been bitten by a strange new bug – Aerial Kite Photography (KAP). I was so thrilled with my first successful flight that I had to go flying for a second day in a row. As I love the ocean, I thought that the Dana Point Harbor might be an interesting place to go. It turns out that I was really lucky – the day was absolutely gorgeous, the winds cooperative, and the scenery beautiful. I love the color of the water and, as can be seen, it was a clear day (if you look carefully, you’ll see a bit of fog forming in the distance). Still, I have no complaints as far as the weather was concerned – I couldn’t have planned it any better.