Pictures I like
I’ve been out of the office for five days. I had a three day weekend, then I had to call in sick for two days. When I got back in this afternoon, as usual, I searched through Merlin to see what our photographers had been taking pictures of. The answer, apparently, is alot of basketball games.
OU's Tiny Gallon (24) reacts in front of OSU's Marshall Moses (33) during the second half of the college bedlam basketball game between The University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Oklahoma State University University Cowboys (OSU) at the Lloyd Noble Center on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Lansdberger, The Oklahoman
Ray Penn (14) shoots during the second half of the Bedlam college basketball game in which The University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) defeated Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) 62-57 in overtime at the Lloyd Noble Center on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Nenad Krstic (12) defends David Lee (42) of New York during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, January 11, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Record snowfall
Staff Photographers from The Oklahoman headed out into the snowstorms over the weekend to look for pictures. On Christmas eve, Jim Beckel got stuck at the airport, Paul Southerland went to El Reno and was stuck in the snow out there for hours. Here’s a few of the many images that were sent in over the weekend.
A driver receives help after getting stuck on Britton Road in Oklahoma City Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Julie Nelson shields her daughter Caiden Cauwell, 3, from the weather as she does some last-minute shopping in Norman Thurs. Dec. 24, 2009. By Jaconna Aguirre, The Oklahoman
Rosario Riley shiellds her face from blowing snow as she leaves Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City on Dec. 24, 2009, after her flight to Cleveland was cancelled. By Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Kristin Dong, 8, makes tries out her new inline skates on ice in her yard on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, in Norman, Okla. By Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
A front-end loader removes snow around an abandonded car on E.K. Gaylord and Robert S. Kerr. Many spent Christmas Day, Dc. 25, 2009, digging out from record snow storm that dumped 14 inches of severe winter storm in the Oklahoma City area. By Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Back at work
My ten-day vacation just came to an end. When I got to work today I searched through our archive system called Merlin to see what the staff had been up to while I was gone. There were plenty of great shots but I narrowed it down to five of my favorites.
Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne poses for a photo in the OPUBCO Studio on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Oklahoma City, Okla Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Norman firefighters responded to a fire at 3700 Burlington at 1:28 pm on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Embers from the first fire caught the roof of a house at 3617 Glenbrook on fire. The Burlington house was a total loss and damage was estimated at $375,000. The damage to the house on Glenbrook was $100,000. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) and Oklahoma City's Shaun Livingston (14) and Nick Collison (4) fight for a loose ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kevin Durant (35) of Oklahoma City blocks the shot of Detroit's Will Bynum (12) in the fourth quarter of the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, December 18, 2009. Oklahoma City won, 109-98. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Parking lot during Christmas shopping at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Football time in Oklahoma
The Langston band performs during a college football game between Langston and New Mexico Prep at Langston University, Saturday, August 29, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
This week marks the official launch of football season in Oklahoma. Last week we had a warm-up with a couple of real games that we covered, courtesy of Langston University and Casady School. However, this week things are full speed ahead with a full slate of high school games and OU and OSU beginning their seasons. We’ll have updates from the college openers later this weekend and some more high school photos in our galleries too.
Here’s some photos shot during the games last night and another I liked from Casady’s first game last week. To see a gallery of more of our photos from last night, click here.
Casady quarterback Cale Shivers (9) dives for a touchdown in the second quarter during the high school football game between Casady and Fort Worth All Saints at Casady School in Oklahoma City, Friday, August 28, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Norman High School players take the field to play Norman North in high school football at Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium§on the campus of the University of Oklahoma (OU) on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Putnam City's N.J. Ape (18) makes a touchdown catch in front of Choctaw's Dylan Sigman (2) during the high school football game between Choctaw and Putnam City at Putnam City Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, September 3, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
The Putnam City pom squad dances during the high school football game between Choctaw and Putnam City at Putnam City Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, September 3, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Edmond Memorial's Blake Umberham throws the ball past Southmoore's Mason Myers, left, and Kimes Gilbert during the high school football game between Southmoore and Edmond Memorial at Wantland Stadium at UCO in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, September 3, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Edmond Memorial fans cheer for their team during the kickoff before the high school football game between Southmoore and Edmond Memorial at Wantland Stadium at UCO in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, September 3, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Timberwolves' Jamar Harrison loses the ball as he is tackled near the end zone by Rashad Parker (4) as Norman High School plays Norman North in high school football at Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium§on the campus of the University of Oklahoma (OU) on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Fourth of July wrap-up
Fans watch fireworks at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The photographers of The Oklahoman were out in force to cover Independence Day. The weather shifted from nice to muggy and then rain in the evening. I’m glad we got the rain, but just wish it had happened either the day before or the day after. The RedHawks didn’t play their baseball game, but did have fireworks. Other fireworks shows were postponed. Here are some of the photos from the day.
To see a gallery from events around the metro area, click here.
For former President George W. Bush’s Independence Day visit to Woodward, click here.
A gallery of photos from Edmond’s LibertyFest parade is here.
And Bryan Terry did a cool time-lapse video from the LibertyFest parade that we highlighted in this blog entry.
Jesse Hardiman and Ava Welch, 1, walk during Bethany's Centennial Freedom Festival, Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Boy Scouts carry a huge American flag in the LibertyFest Parade in downtown Edmond, OK, Saturday, July 4, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
Trent Nondorf, 4, left, and Ethan Nondorf, 2, wait for the start of the Quail Creek Fourth of July parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Kristen Gregory sported a festive Fourth of July headband during LibertyFest at UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman
Former President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, were given a warm reception when they arrived at Woodward's July 4th celebration and re-dedication of Crystal Beach Park. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Lauren Atkins, 9, from Norman, eats free watermelon at the Norman Independence Day Celebration at Reaves Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Darren Ransley slides on the tarp during a rain delay of the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Omaha Royals at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Your AP monthly contest results
I have gotten behind on posting our department’s winning images from the monthly AP photo contest. Here are our winners from recent months. Congratulations to all.
FIRST PLACE, FEBRUARY: Residents work to clean up damage to a home in the Oak Tree housing addition on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, after a tornado hit the area on Tuesday in Edmond, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
THIRD PLACE, FEBRUARY: Firefighters work to extinguish flames in a barn that was set ablaze by a grass fire near SE 108th and Maguire Road in Slaughterville, Oklahoma, on Friday February 20, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
SECOND PLACE, ARPIL: Flames leap out of a broken gas line in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Fire crews in Oklahoma and Texas raced Thursday to control wind-whipped wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes, forced evacuations and shut down parts of a major highway. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
THIRD PLACE, APRIL: Iowa Tribe volunteer firefighter David Milby with his wife Bonnie Milby at the Integris Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City Monday, April 13, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
FIRST PLACE, MAY: Oklahoma City public school students swim during the Wacky Water Wahoo water safety class at White Water, on Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
SECOND PLACE, MAY: Graduates watch fireworks following the 2009 University of Oklahoma Commencement at the Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Friday, May 15, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
VORTEX2 Day 4 Back to Oklahoma
Jacob Carley, Purdue, uses his computer in luxary in the lobby of the hotel as VORTEX2 prepares to leave the panhandle of Texas back to Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
After four days trying to shoot researchers deploying a research pod in the path of a storm, my safety minded driver drove past the deployment of the distrometer (laser rain guage) and by the time we turned around and I had jumped out of the car, the pod was out and on the ground. I got off three frames with a flash on camera. Two minutes and a mile later, the rain came in sheets, hail made the researchers put on bicycle helmets, and the light dropped to nothing. My flash shorted out after a coouple shots of the outside of the van. With my second camera maxed out at 3200 ISO I had to shoot at 1/15 second at f2.8. One shot was somewhat sharp.
Isaac Hankes and research scientist Glen Romine from the University of Illinois deploy a laser distrometer to measure particle size, rate, and direction (raindrops) as members of VORTEX2 track an emerging super cell in central Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Isaac Hankes and research scientist Glen Romine from the University of Illinois deploy a second laser distrometer to measure particle size, rate, and direction (of raindrops) as members of VORTEX2 track an emerging super cell in central Oklahoma on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Less than a mile from deploying the first unit, the light falls to almost nothing, the rain comes in torrents, and they must now don head gear to protect from the quarter sized hail. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
–Steve Sisney
VORTEX2 Gathers in Texas to Wait
We left Clinton in half panic mode to get to the target area in the Texas panhandle. I’m beginning to think this was just a trial run to see how fast you can muster over 100 people and 40 vehicles. The drive was cold and damp till we got half way into the panhandle (the scientists don’t want the media to disclose the exact location because of safety concerns). We went from temperatures in the 50′s to temps in the 80′s after traveling about 150 miles. We also went from fog to sunshine. The meteorology community had on their shorts and flip flops and I was sweating in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. I wish they had a clothing forecast.
Erik Rasmussen, co-principal investigator, shows the members of VORTEX2 data and the reason for targeting the Texas panhandle. He is giving the morning briefing in the restaurant of the Ramada Inn in Clinton, Okla. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 10:00 am. The order came to leave immediately for Texas. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Conrad Ziegler, research scientist with NSSL (left), Renee Curry, OU graduate student and scout car driver, and Mike Biggerstaff, University of Oklahoma professor, confer on a more precise target for the SR1 doppler radar on the third day of VORTEX2 as the team arrives in the panhandle of Texas on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
A member of the "Sticknets" mobile mezonet deployment team waits for a super cell thunderstorm to develop early in the afternoon. After leaving temperatures in the 50s in Clinton, Okla. in the morning the temperature at this rest stop approached 90 degrees. The crew of VORTEX2 searched for super cell thunderstorms in the panhandle of Texas. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
For a gallery of Tuesday’s photos click here.
-Steve Sisney
VORTEX2 Destination Clinton, OK.
I heard from the Erik Rasmussen, co-chief investigator for VORTEX2, that the best staging area for Tuesday weather is in Clinton, Okla. The vehicles are leaving throughout the day to rendezvous in Clinton. I saw a team member in the parking lot of the Norman Holiday Inn putting Rainx on the windows of her vehicle. She is from Oklahoma City. Saw a guy carrying his computer around the parking lot and thought he was testing equipment. Turns out he is from Italy and was using his laptop web cam to show the radar and other vehicles to his friends and co-workers back home. Small World.
Jennifer Standridge with the National Center for Atmospheric Research puts rain shedding material on her vehicle as the group prepare to leave for Clinton, Okla. on the second day of VORTEX2 prepares to leave for Clinton, OK as a staging area from the Holiday Inn in Norman, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Standridge is from Oklahoma City. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Gabriele Formentini from Italy uses his computer web cam to give a tour of the parking lot to his friends back home on the second day of VORTEX2. He and other scientists are preparing to leave for Clinton, OK to stage for Tuesday storms. The Italian audience get a tour of vehicles parked at the Holiday Inn in Norman, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Clinton residents Pauline Lee and her daughter Jennifer Lee couldn't help notice the Doppler on Wheels, command and support vehicles lined up in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn on the second day of VORTEX2 as the team arrives in Clinton, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Doppler on Wheels, command and support vehicles line up in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn on the second day of VORTEX2 as the team arrives in Clinton, Okla. on Monday, May 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
See Monday’s VORTEX2 gallery by clicking here
-Steve Sisney
Tornado Intercept Delayed by Good Weather
It’s ironic. After packing my bags, charging my batteries and kissing my wife goodbye, I arrive to the VORTEX2 meeting to find no viable targets are available. Trip cancelled because of good weather.
I did get an idea of the size of the project. The auditorium at the National Weather Service was full of researchers and grad students (most of them peering into laptop screens) who also found out that Sunday would be a day to test equipment instead of a day to travel to severe storms.
Also ironic is the fact that a lot of the science used to predict no super cell storms and no-go for Vortex2 was derived from the information gathered years earlier by VORTEX1.
The indicators for upcoming severe weather that co-principal investigators Josh Wurman and Erik Rasmussen alluded to in the meeting this morning show that we will probably leave Monday to travel to northwest Oklahoma for the first showdown.
George Bryan, National Center for Atmospheric research in Boulder, Colo. and about 100 of the team for VORTEX2 attend the 10:00 am. update and hear that there isn't a target storm for Sunday or Monday on the first day of VORTEX2 at the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla. on Sunday, May 10, 2009. Bryan is in charge of weather baloons for the project. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Team members Andrew Arnold and Rutger Boonstra work on software as the team uses the first day of VORTEX2 to test equipment and software at the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla. on Sunday, May 10, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
-Steve Sisney
