Some awesome photos from the fire lookout tower (Dial-Up Warning)

[DemoTex]

The weather has finally broken. It is shirt-sleeve weather here in the Oregon wilds.

Yesterday we had a few fires .. shall we say some unannounced prescribed burns to keep the crews and lookouts on their toes? Everyone performed flawlessly, I am happy to report.

Life is good!


The Osborne Fire-Finder with a Bushnell scope and Spi-Tronics digital level.


My office at 6500-feet in the Oregon wilds.


Nick's perspective of my office.


A cumulonimbus cloud formation about 60 miles to my south late yesterday afternoon.


Smudge of a rainbow below that cumulonimbus cloud (that's beautiful Cougar Mountain to the right of the rainbow).


This was the true sky color to the south near sunset yesterday (Cougar Mountain again).


Sunset yesterday with the lonesome pines of Lowullo Butte in the notch between South Sister and Broken Top (then Middle and North Sisters to the right). The sun is setting over the Newberry Caldera.

[fishwax]

1. wow -- great pictures!

:toast:

[Frustratedlady]

2. Great photos. You've got the best front seat of us all.

Enjoy!

[niyad]

3. k and r--thank you for those wonderfull, beautiful pics

[asdjrocky]

4. Wow.

[tabatha]

5. Great photos.

Love the wooden floors, walls and ceilings.

I guess you have a large cleared area to prevent fire reaching your lookout?

[givemebackmycountry]

6. Wow - just Wow...

Demo-Tex -
Your photographic skills are growing exponentially.
Those are some amazing shots.
I'm thinking you are loving your new camera.
What are you using again?

I look forward to each and every post that comes from your assignment.
Great job, just great.

[DemoTex]

8. Canon EOS 5D Mk-II with a f2.8 70-200 Mk-II zoom last night

Shooting camera raw in manual.

[Solly Mack]

7. Awesome!!

Beneful chicken stew and rice? :)

[DemoTex]

9. Only the best for Nick!

Beneful Chicken, Nutro Lamb & Rice, Organic jasmati rice, and a splash of low-sodium chicken broth.

[Solly Mack]

10. I've seen meals meant for humans that didn't look as tasty.

My doggies love it.

[Demoiselle]

72. Ok, before I go crazy looking at these pictures...

How do you know he's serving his dog Beneful chicken stew?
I've been over the interior shots three times now and can't find it.
Please help.
Gosh, they are beautiful pictures. What a great post!

[Solly Mack]

74. 2nd picture, right side of picture. Background. To the right of the A-1 sauce.

(the A-1 is to the right of the 57 sauce). The containers just to the right of the A-1 sauce are Beneful products. I could tell by the shape and lid colors.

See the tomatoes? Just below the tomatoes you will see the sauces...now to the right of the A-1. :)

[DemoTex]

78. Bwaa haa haa haa!

I thought you were just guessing! Damn! Guess I'd better be careful of what I leave in the background.

[Solly Mack]

80. Sorry! I love your pictures and posts about your work in the tower.

The little background things just make them all the better. I think the tower looks all the more homey because of it.

[Demoiselle]

83. Thank you!

Now I see them...I can spot the A 1 bottle easily. (And the tomatoes.) But Beneful has never been on the dog menu around here because we have great Pyrenees, for whom a Beneful container would be a single hor'sdouvre. They are cute , though.

[phasma ex machina]

11. Cougar Mountain in the late afternoon looks gorgeous.

Sweet dreams of the Great Northwest dance through my head.

[DiverDave]

12. God I miss home

We used to take USGS maps and a compass and walk into high lakes to fish.
Oregon stocks those lakes from the air.
Many good times...

[Swamp Rat]

13. Great photos

I really dig maps. :)

[Canuckistanian]

14. Awesome pics

Your photography skills are really improving with this new camera!

Of course, it helps being in such a beautiful environment.

You should write a picture book on your experiences.

[Safetykitten]

15. Wonderfull pics. Is Cougar Mountain an old volcano?

[mdmc]

18. welcome to du

peace and low stress..

[spanone]

16. k&r

[imnKOgnito]

17. Can I say I'm envious?

I love the Cascades and don't get into them nearly enough. Usually spend a week this time of year in the northern cascades backpacking in the country around Desolation Peak. Looks like I'm gonna miss it this year, though.

[DemoTex]

20. Desolation Peak was Jack Kerouac's fire lookout.

Where he wrote: "Hozomeen, Hozomeen, most beautiful mountain I ever seen!"

[imnKOgnito]

23. Indeed it was

And not hard to see why it was so inspiring. I've camped at the base of Hozomeen on the small lake of the same name several times. It's unfortunately too close to the road access point to my liking these days, though. It's 30 miles in from my side, so you think you're all alone for a while until you see beer bottles in the bottom of the lake and realize it's only 3 miles from the access on the north side.

[DemoTex]

25. I'm doing readings of Kerouac's "Desolation Angels" on video from my lookout.

I'm using the fantastic video capabilities of the Canon 5D Mk-II to film me in various lookout tower settings reading excerpts of Kerouac's "Desolation Angels," and if that works, "Dharma Bums." I'll post them on You-Tube when done.

[imnKOgnito]

27. Very cool

Please do, and let me know when you do.

[imnKOgnito]

29. As to fire lookout work...

I give myself credit for preventing one some seven years ago in that area. That's a tale that involves two very sore knees and the biggest bear I've ever seen (I maintain to this day it was a grizzly) to boot, and a short re-telling wouldn't do it justice. I'll have to post it sometime when I have more time.

[DemoTex]

31. Do tell that story!

And PM it to me.

[depakid]

19. Awesome stuff

[Hannah Bell]

21. pretty. what happened with the possible arsonist?

[DemoTex]

22. The incindiary device thrower has not been caught.

The four (or so) fire smokes I spotted later that evening (Sunday) were from camp bonfires along the FS-1835 road. So they weren't caused by an arsonist.

[Hannah Bell]

24. thanks. good to hear it was mostly campfires, though.

[Wilms]

26. :) n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

28. You are not using the 7.5 minute map, are you?

Just out of curiosity.

And I am sure Nick is really happy now.

Oh and for those curious the USGS puts several maps out, in different scales. The 7.5 minute is exactly that, a map that shows 7.5 minutes at a readable scale. And what I used when doing ground nav in rescue. There are tighter scales that are a more regional map, but useless (mostly) for ground nav.

Oh and if you are dealing with sea, they are CHARTS... I learned that from the Chief.

[DemoTex]

30. "Charts" is from my aviation background.

I have my own collection of 7.5 minute USGS charts up here. Right now the drop-down plotting board has a 1"=1 mile chart on one side (that I use exclusively for plotting fires) and a 1"=2 mile chart on the other side, that I use for plotting cross azimuths with lookouts to the northwest.

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. I am just testing myself

since it's been a while until two weeks ago that I actually took a map and a compass.

It is fun to be able to do this after all these years. And of course charts and aviation would make sense too.

Silly me.

[DemoTex]

33. A 1" = 1 mile scale is very convenient using the TRS format

A Township/Range/Section survey usually (but not always) has 36 one-mile square sections (TRS). Thus, one square inch = one square mile. I keep several small tape measures (as well as extra reading glasses and a magnifying glass for the fine print) on the fire-finder to zip out over an azimuth reading for a quick and extremely accurate distance measurment. Then I can nail the TRS quarter-of-the-quarter for the fire crews.

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. I am new fashioned

I like Lat\Long... or rather that is what I used.

:hi:

But what you are using goes back oh to the 18th century, so it is old... but you knew that.

[DemoTex]

36. Yep. I think it was commissioned by Congress in 1785.

It is called the Jeffersonian Land Survey (among other names). Funny thing is, most of the states that use it (western states) weren't states until long after that law was passed.

[DemoTex]

35. OMG! I got some great moon-rising shots tonight.

I just downloaded and converted them from camera raw to DNG files. They look great. I'll post them tomorrow.

The moon was waxing 99% full tonight. I'll be set up to shoot it again tomorrow night, too.

[boppers]

37. How often do you get into Bend?

The area looks mighty familiar, and at the place I stay in Bend (Phoenix Inn), there's a constant presence of forest (and related government) folks.

[DemoTex]

39. Almost every Monday and Tuesday - go back to the lookout early Wednesday.

I used to stay at the Town Place Suites (Marriott), but now I'm staying at the Entrada Lodge. It is out the road to Mt. Bachelor, but it has great trails for walking Nick (off-leash).

I might treat Nick and me to the Oxford a couple of times this summer. Someone told me about it last weekend. It is downtown and takes dogs!

[boppers]

40. Oh, the Oxford's quite pretty.

I generally hit Bend Tuesday morning, stay until Wednesday evening, and work/sleep downtown (the Oxford is mid-way between the hotel and where I work in the Franklin Building)... maybe we can organize a beer/coffee DU get-together. :D

[DemoTex]

41. Sounds good to me!

Maybe we can get an early supper at 900 Wall on Tuesday - duck night (6/29)? I usually eat at the bar at about 5:30 (early morning wake up to get back out to the lookout on Wednesdays). PM me.

mac

[Kablooie]

38. I want your job. Wanna trade? Mine's a lot easier. I sit at home and fill out unemployment forms.

[boppers]

42. Found this:

http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/openings.shtml

[Kablooie]

69. That's interesting. Thanks.

[nilram]

43. damnit!

You're going to bring more people to Oregon. It rains, here, people! Thirteen months out of the year! Go away!

(rec'd anyway. hmph.)

[ConsAreLiars]

44. There is a big difference between your pix from this this year and last.

This is what I documented (then), and these share what I experience/feel (now).

My belief is that this has been a transformative experience for you. First year, sort of a stranger to that world, concerned about doing the job well, sending latest news updates to your friends here. Second year, being a part of that world, living in the magical world of the natural northwest forest, feeling it, and producing photos that reveal that new closeness.

My belief....

(edit to rephrase a bit)

[DemoTex]

45. Spot on ..

I would only add that I had a winter of great digital photography and Photoshop/Lightroom courses in Atlanta (Showcase), and I returned to the Oregon wilderness with a new Canon EOS 5D Mark-II with a heavy, heavy bag of Canon glass (my bank account propotionately lighter)!

On edit: And I know what I want to shoot this year. Just like tonight. I checked the moonrise tables, set up with the 70-200 on a tripod, and was ready. No snap shots. Just a long series of methodical bracketing as the light changed. I hope to have some great moonrise shots to post here tomorrow.

[DemReadingDU]

46. very nice!

[blue sky at night]

47. this venue begs for a panorama!

Give it a try, photoshop can stich like a son of gun now.....my secret though is I make prints on the Epson Wide Format Inkjet printer, drive with the laptop printing a 100mg PSD. I will post later and give you an example.

[tomm2thumbs]

48. breathtaking shots - thanks nt

[elleng]

49. Great pics of your office, and the 'other stuff!'

THANKS for all you do!

[Octafish]

50. Oustanding photographs, all!

Can I be your assistant? I'll carry the tripod and smokes.

[classof56]

51. DemoTex, welcome back to Central Oregon!

Somehow I've missed your previous posts but recemtly found myself wondering recently if you're back on fire lookout duty this season. And sure enough you are! I've just perused all your gorgeous photos and thoroughly enjoyed them. The Cascades views are ones I am privileged to see every day and never take for granted. You doubtless have an answer about the wooden posts with letters and numbers, which are survey markers and appear to be mighty old! I attended a symposium in Bend last year about John C. Fremont's exploratory expedition from Oregon southward to the California/Nevada border. That was in November-December 1843 and went right through what is now Deschutes County. As pointed out in the symposium, Fremont's trek left names on the land but scant other physical evidence of its passing, though it's well documented in writing. When I saw your survey marker photos, I was suddenly struck by the thought...what if they were done by Fremont's surveyors? Now, I know that's highly unlikely but fascinating to contemplate.

Anyway, welcome back to you and Nick and best wishes for another wonderful summer in the forest. I look forward to your awesome and inspiring photos and recounting of your experiences!

Blessings.

[LWolf]

52. Looks like home.

I enjoyed the extended cool, wet spring, and am hoping it doesn't get too hot, too fast.

[11 Bravo]

53. Wow. Just wow.

I swear, I was thinking just a few days ago, "I wish DemoTex would post some more photos from the lookout. Once again ... wow.

[woofless]

54. Thanks for the super pics DemoTex.

I always look forward to your posts. We are up north of Mt. Baker wishing for a boring fire season. Best to you,
Woof

[Viva_La_Revolution]

55. Outstanding! nt

[proReality]

56. Amazing pics! Thanks. n/t

[fishbulb703]

57. The Pacific NW is beautiful.

[orbitalman]

58. The Pictures Really Get SPOILED When We Have People Like BP. nt

[drm604]

59. Thank you.

I've said it before, but I love these threads. :hi:

I need to get out in the woods this summer.

[LaStrega]

60. Stunning.

Positively stunning photos. To say "well done!" is a gross understatement. Thank you for sharing.

k&r

[Politicub]

61. Wow - what a view!

Love the pics

[jotsy]

62. Are you familiar with Proxy Falls?

Near Sisters, just north and west of Bend. I understand after Multnomah Falls, that Proxy is the most photographed in the state.

[shireen]

63. you have a really AWESOME life!

Thanks for sharing some of it with us. :hug:

[hayu_lol]

64. Thought about you up there yesterday...

when a pretty good thunderstorm passed overhead here in Klamath Falls. The cumulo pic showed me that you had the north end of the storm up there.

After a couple of really cold weeks, things starting to warm up down the road here. FINALLY! We have a good growing season when corn planted as early as possible actually can be harvested.

Great sunset pic.

[Crystal Clarity]

65. Wow. Gorgeous! nt.

[kgnu_fan]

66. Thank you for sharing the beautiful world you live, we need a piece of it

so that we can remember the blessing of the Earth

[defendandprotect]

67. Beautiful and scenery so hypnotically peaceful . . . how do you avoid falling asleep--!!????

[myrna minx]

68. THese are breathtaking!

Thank you so much for sharing.

[Ex Lurker]

70. serious question: how do I go about getting a job like yours? n/t

[lunatica]

71. Thank you for posting!

I saw your name and jumped on the link to get your update! I love the internets!

[kaiden]

73. There's nothing like the western sky to take your breath away!

[Francisco]

75. Beautiful..

mind if I save a picture and use it as my wallpaper?

[Left Coast2020]

76. Go Ducks!!!!!!

Thats from someone who bleeds Oregon blood. Wow. Imagine what it would look like if a T-storm crept up, and you had your cam set on tripod. There is no doubt you would get some awsome shots...that is if you know how to shoot lightning. All you do is hold appature open with cable. Easy to do. I second the wallpaper request too (cloud shot).

[DemoTex]

81. Here you go, from last fire season (August 2, 2009)

A strike on Sixteen Butte to my southeast. In about seven hours we had 1630 lightning strikes (per the BLM Lightning Map).

I do have a little Sony Camcorder for lightning storms. I can also shoot video with the Canon EOS.

[DemoTex]

79. Help yourself!

:hi:

[Brother Buzz]

77. Cool, a Captains chair with shot glasses on the legs

;)

I really don't know if I could sit still on a stool while my hair stood on end.

Huell Howser hipped me about those insulators on stools when he did an entire show on a Northern California fire lookout station, Buck Rock, manned by a member of the the Fire Lookout Association.

Back in the old days they gave you a simple stool with the insulators, but they also provided a equally protected footstool, or so said a lady that manned the station back in 1944.

I like your photo reports. I want to see some double rainbow photographs.

[Blue_Tires]

82. excellent work as always!!

ttt