Fireworks 2011

[Shane]

With all the bans due to the drought, I guess fireworks shows were less common than normal in Texas this year. Here in Taylor County, fireworks sale and use were banned completely. But we did get to have one big community fireworks show, and it was a good un.

It was the best show I've ever seen in person. The folks that put it together pulled out all the stops. It was free to the public, but there was a special section of Nelson Park (Festival Gardens, across from the Zoo) that was reserved for people with tickets. They served BBQ and opened the Zoo for folks that had tickets. The fireworks show was done just about 300 yards away after dark. We were so close that it was impossible to get the entire field of fireworks into one picture, even with my 12mm (ultra-wide angle) lens. I got a ton of pics during the 30-minute or so show. It was non-stop action set to patriotic music. I'll see if I can post the videos I took later.

If you got fireworks pics too, post 'em up. Lots of folks didn't get to see them last night.

Here's a few that we saw last night:


















The finale was LOUD. Those loud ones are really bright too. It was like day time for a few seconds.




If stuff like that doesn't get your American pride kindled, then I don't know what it would take. It was awesome.

[Parramore]

Excellent. Good to see Abilene shoot some off after such a tough go with this drought.

[Patton]

Those pictures are great! Incredible!

[Shane]

There were plenty of fire trucks on site, just in case. They did put out a few little fires where sparks landed, but nothing got out of hand at all.

If you want to see dozens of pics, go here: http://shanejennings.smugmug.com/pho...lbumKey=xNP3zb

Click on "Hide Captions" at the top of the page, and the pics will get bigger.

[Mudslinger]

The finale with the loud and very bright flashes were probably Silver Salutes. 3"+ shells that are basically just pure black powder that when they go off present a brilliant flash of white light and are loud enough to rattle windows. When I shot the show at Buffalo Springs Lake we use to start the show with 9 Silver Salutes fused together to go up and off at the same time. Everyone around and on the lake knew then the show was fixing to start either that or you were deaf!

Great pics!

[W-L-F]

great pictures--

[froghunter]

cool pic. best we had localy was a laser light show. no pics though.

[rjtkdplus]

Great pics! The Ft. Hood show was fantastic! With the presentation of the 50 colors and a 50 gun salute. Lots of fun stuff for the kids and adults, tanks to climb around in, a carnival and an incredible military police dog show! I will post pics when I get a chance.

[roberts]

Great pictures. I helped with a few firework shows over the years and there is nothing like seeing fireworks go off over your head. It will bring the kid out of you.

[Shane]

The finale with the loud and very bright flashes were probably Silver Salutes. 3"+ shells that are basically just pure black powder that when they go off present a brilliant flash of white light and are loud enough to rattle windows. When I shot the show at Buffalo Springs Lake we use to start the show with 9 Silver Salutes fused together to go up and off at the same time. Everyone around and on the lake knew then the show was fixing to start either that or you were deaf!

Great pics!

I didn't know what they're called, but they're definitely just little bombs. They used hundreds of them last night too. Nobody within 3 or 4 miles got any sleep until it was over, I 'magine. They're so bright, that they kinda ruined the pictures. All I got when those were in the air was just lots of white light. I got my best shots between the flashes of the Silver Salutes.

[Cooter]

The city of Red Oak put on a great event and fireworks show. Had booths with local business, churches, scouts, and 4H. The family and I had a great time. It was one of the better city firework shows I have seen in a while.

Shane, as always your pictures are awesome. In no way can mine compare. This is the 1st time I've taken pics of fireworks and I'm still trying to figure this SLR thing out.

Fireworks

[flatwoodshunter]

Very Good, Thanks for sharing

[Shane]

Looks good to me, Cooter. Great shots.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

The Rangers fireworks show after the game last night was the best I've seen in some time.....ton of people outside the stadium too!

[Snapper]

Great shots guys. I didn't see a single firework last night. Thanks for sharing.