Death Valley Fighter Jet Captured!

You may remember last year I got the rush of my life when a fighter jet at Death Valley National Park buzzed right over me. The Ultimate Rush?

I went back to the same spot the other day and this time, I had my camera ready. Now I did not have a fighter jet fly right over me but this one was fairly close. The sounds of its engine penetrated my psyche but I did get some decent photos. I planned to video a jet flying over me but it never happened again while I was there for 2 days.  More photos of my Death Valley trip to follow soon.

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You don’t really hear the jets until they get close but I spotted this one coming in fast so I had time to grab my camera.

 

A fighter jet from nearby China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center flies over Death Valley National Park, California
The  fighter jet is stationed at  nearby China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center.

 

A fighter jet from nearby China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center flies over Death Valley National Park, California
You may not be able to tell, but I enlarged this image in Photoshop and the pilot was looking right at me. There is a second pilot in the back. I believe this is a F-16. I wasn’t using my zoom lens so he was pretty close.

 

A fighter jet from nearby China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center flies over Death Valley National Park, California
You want to be in continuous shooting mode to maximize the number of exposures you will get.  These jets move by really fast!

 

A fighter jet from nearby China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center flies over Death Valley National Park, California
As he passed me, the jet headed towards this mountain range, turning to the right and around Eureka Dunes.  It’s a pretty tight maneuver.  The sound from the thrusts of its engine reverberated off the  the side of the mountain.

 

A fighter jet from nearby China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center flies over Death Valley National Park, California

This all happened in less than 10 seconds.

Michael Andrew Just

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26 responses to “Death Valley Fighter Jet Captured!”

  1. Jackson Avatar
    Jackson

    Cool! I’ve seen them making laps around the dunes too, hard to grudge them a little fun out there.

    On another note, which way to you drive to Eureka? How was the road?

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      I drove Big Pine Rd north from the crater area and after Eureka Dunes, exited towards Big Pine and Owens Valley. The road was fine the whole way.

      Reply
  2. the eternal traveller Avatar
    the eternal traveller

    Fantastic! You did well to get such wonderful clear shots. I bet those pilots were having fun.

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Those pilots were having a lot of fun.

      Reply
  3. ymucci Avatar
    ymucci

    Great story!

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thanks Yvonne!

      Reply
  4. Eliza Waters Avatar
    Eliza Waters

    That must have been some experience …. great camera work! Those shots took skill.

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thanks Eliza. The auto focus really worked but it doesn’t always.

      Reply
  5. Donna Robinson Photography Avatar
    Donna Robinson Photography

    Great photos! We used to get the Blue Angels flying over our house during air shows. I have a few similar to the one you took where you can see the pilot! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thanks Donna. It really is a thrill to have a powerful jet fly by closely!

      Reply
  6. Jesse Avatar
    Jesse

    Wow! Awesome shots!

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thanks Jesse

      Reply
  7. jacquelineobyikocha Avatar
    jacquelineobyikocha

    These are awesome shots.

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thanks Jacqueline!

      Reply
      1. jacquelineobyikocha Avatar
        jacquelineobyikocha

        You are welcome 🙂

  8. Emilio Pasquale Avatar
    Emilio Pasquale

    We live within a few miles of Nellis Air Force Base. When the planes take off in the morning and return in the evenings you can not talk on your telephone, they are so loud. One night recently they were so loud we thought we would have a visitor drop in any second. Thankfully, that did not happen!

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      I’m surprised they are allowed to fly over national parks and neighborhoods since they get so loud. I enjoy it once in awhile but would find it difficult to deal with on a regular basis.

      Reply
      1. Emilio Pasquale Avatar
        Emilio Pasquale

        Somehow you get used to it. It’s not every day.

  9. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Wow, cool shots, Michael! I like the enlarged photo especially. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thanks Amy. In that closeup, the jet got within 200 yards of where I was standing.

      Reply
  10. GOOD LUCK

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    Reply
  11. Ronald Puma Avatar
    Ronald Puma

    Your reaction was good……

    Reply
  12. Jill Sowders Avatar
    Jill Sowders

    Awesome pictures! WE WERE THERE TOO! 2/13/17
    I had stopped the car to get out and take a picture of the beauty of the landscape and when my husband and I got out of the car, not 2 seconds later my hubby saw the jet coming straight at us, following the road like a runway…he was speechless and could not even speak! Then I felt the earth shake …completely took us by surprise…maybe 100 ft above our heads…we felt the rumble to our bones and it was exhiliarating !! I am so impressed with your photos- simply amazing.

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Last year a jet buzzed right over me at the same location as this year, no more than 100 feet over me.For a second I thought he was going to crash. But it was quite a thrill after I regained my composure.

      Reply
  13. neihtn2012 Avatar
    neihtn2012

    Fantastic captures, that only you can do!

    Reply
    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      Michael Andrew Just

      Thank you very much!

      Reply

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