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Boeing 737-700 (N793SA) - The setting sun is illuminating the western side of Rattlesnake Mountain and Southwests "Spirit One" (N793SA) as it glides past The Snake while covering the final few thousand feet of its s/final approach to Reno Tahoe Internationals runway 34L.  N793SA bears the name "Spirit One" in recognition of its being the first Southwest fleetbird to wear the "Canyon Blue" clothes way back when it joined the SWA fleet.  This is my first-ever capture of Spirit One, and it came as a tremendous surprise to me; when it first came into view approaching RTIA from the south I made no move to get into position to snap it.  It was only at the last second that I scurried over to shoot it after realizing how well the brilliantly setting sun would light it up.  Didnt even know Id caught "Spirit One" until after it had landed.
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Boeing 737-700 (N793SA)

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The setting sun is illuminating the western side of Rattlesnake Mountain and Southwest's "Spirit One" (N793SA) as it glides past The Snake while covering the final few thousand feet of its s/final approach to Reno Tahoe International's runway 34L. N793SA bears the name "Spirit One" in recognition of its being the first Southwest fleetbird to wear the "Canyon Blue" clothes way back when it joined the SWA fleet. This is my first-ever capture of Spirit One, and it came as a tremendous surprise to me; when it first came into view approaching RTIA from the south I made no move to get into position to snap it. It was only at the last second that I scurried over to shoot it after realizing how well the brilliantly setting sun would light it up. Didn't even know I'd caught "Spirit One" until after it had landed.

Comments

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Mark C
Nice catch of "Spirit One". Also great shot to include the mountain landscape. 5 stars!
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Mark, there are a couple of spotting locations that make it possible to get The Snake in the background when inbounds are using 34L. I always like it when the sun is going down and I can get pics like these.
It is also possible to snap photos FROM The Snake, but not at this time of year. The babies are swarming out up there and I've had enough close encounters with baby rattlers that I've learned my lesson. :-)
Dwight Hartje
Another great photo, Gary! I look forward to seeing more!
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Hi, Dwight. :-)
Thank you for your compliment and your encouragement. I'm just an amateur photographer, so your comments (here and in the past) are very much appreciated. I know I can't snap 'em to the ultra high quality level of some other contributors because I lack the equipment and the talent, so I usually post just one photo a day (occasionally two) and I try to insure that the photo I'm posting is worthy of appearing in the gallery. (I'm also very picky about what I post because I don't want my name associated with crummy or p-poor quality work.) Sometimes; however, I select one that is "outside" the standard style (like the recent one I posted that was taken in a heavy snow squall) even though I know it isn't the finest quality simply because I like to show something different from the regular. It pays off for me; I was recently contacted and invited to do an aviation photo shoot in the San Jose area even though there are photogs who live lots closer. Also had three of my photos published in the Winter 2014 edition of The Hook. That sort of recognition makes me feel pretty proud, but I feel just as proud when I receive compliments from FA viewers like you who enjoy seeing my shots. So again, I thank you very much for the above comment, Dwight. And keep those pics coming from NC too, OK? :-)
Dwight Hartje
Thanks, Gary! I jest recently did some plane spotting at RDU in the rain, witch made for some nice effects, and I will probably upload the first of those today.
Dwight Hartje
Your photo also seen in Daily Newsletter!
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
I look forward to rainy and snowy conditions for several reasons: 1) they offer the chance to snap unique shots that show water and snow being blown around, 2) the adverse WX create a cool challenge to shooting a clean and sharp pic, and 3) I have more respect for a photog that is willing to brave the adverse elements; the great majority of "spotters" are fair weather only; if it is a bit chilly or if it requires any kind of physical exertion to get their shot, they aren't interested. So just knowing you were out there in the rain tells me you are my kind of spotter. I'm looking forward to seeing your new posts.
And BTW, don't know if you've heard: American is retiring one Mad Dog a week now, and they will continue doing so until all the MDs in their fleet are wfu and sent to their final rest in the boneyard. So if you see one, snap it and save it if you can.
Jan Degreef
Incredible shot - wish we had these vantage points at EBBR !!
ACTIVITY LOG
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Date Aircraft Origin Destination Departure Arrival Duration
25-Apr-2024 B737William P Hobby ()Valley Intl () 09:55PM CDT 10:50PM CDT Scheduled
25-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()William P Hobby () 05:50PM MDT 08:55PM CDT Scheduled
25-Apr-2024 B737Midland Intl Air and Space Port ()Denver Intl () 04:20PM CDT 04:45PM MDT Scheduled
25-Apr-2024 B737Dallas Love Fld ()Midland Intl Air and Space Port () 02:30PM CDT 03:25PM CDT Scheduled
25-Apr-2024 B737Nashville Intl ()Dallas Love Fld () 11:53AM CDT 01:20PM CDT Scheduled
25-Apr-2024 B737LaGuardia ()Nashville Intl () 09:45AM EDT 11:00AM CDT Scheduled
25-Apr-2024 B737Chicago Midway Intl ()LaGuardia () 06:05AM CDT 08:50AM EDT Scheduled
24-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()Chicago Midway Intl () 04:35PM MDT 07:35PM CDT Scheduled
24-Apr-2024 B737Chicago O'Hare Intl ()Denver Intl () 02:00PM CDT 03:30PM MDT Scheduled
24-Apr-2024 B737Dallas Love Fld ()Chicago O'Hare Intl () 10:52AM CDT 12:51PM CDT En Route
24-Apr-2024 B737Charlotte/Douglas Intl ()Dallas Love Fld () 08:35AM EDT 09:50AM CDT 2:15
23-Apr-2024 B737Baltimore/Washington Intl ()Charlotte/Douglas Intl () 07:59PM EDT 09:00PM EDT 1:00
23-Apr-2024 B737Frederick Douglass/Greater Rochester Intl ()Baltimore/Washington Intl () 05:38PM EDT 06:28PM EDT 0:49
23-Apr-2024 B737Baltimore/Washington Intl ()Frederick Douglass/Greater Rochester Intl () 03:59PM EDT 04:48PM EDT 0:48
23-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()Baltimore/Washington Intl () 09:37AM MDT 02:29PM EDT 2:51
23-Apr-2024 B737Portland Intl ()Denver Intl () 05:29AM PDT 08:32AM MDT 2:02
22-Apr-2024 B737Sacramento Intl ()Portland Intl () 10:10PM PDT 11:15PM PDT 1:05
22-Apr-2024 B737Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl ()Sacramento Intl () 07:52PM MST 09:26PM PDT 1:33
22-Apr-2024 B737Baltimore/Washington Intl ()Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl () 04:45PM EDT 06:09PM MST 4:23
22-Apr-2024 B737Hartsfield-Jackson Intl ()Baltimore/Washington Intl () 02:10PM EDT 03:34PM EDT 1:23
22-Apr-2024 B737Miami Intl ()Hartsfield-Jackson Intl () 11:14AM EDT 12:43PM EDT 1:29
22-Apr-2024 B737Chicago Midway Intl ()Miami Intl () 06:31AM CDT 09:55AM EDT 2:23
21-Apr-2024 B737Nashville Intl ()Chicago Midway Intl () 11:03PM CDT 12:09AM CDT (+1) 1:05
21-Apr-2024 B737Charlotte/Douglas Intl ()Nashville Intl () 09:41PM EDT 09:38PM CDT 0:56
21-Apr-2024 B737Nashville Intl ()Charlotte/Douglas Intl () 06:46PM CDT 08:36PM EDT 0:49
21-Apr-2024 B737Will Rogers World ()Nashville Intl () 04:33PM CDT 05:49PM CDT 1:16
21-Apr-2024 B737Austin-Bergstrom Intl ()Will Rogers World () 02:33PM CDT 03:29PM CDT 0:55
21-Apr-2024 B737John Wayne ()Austin-Bergstrom Intl () 09:01AM PDT 01:24PM CDT 2:22
20-Apr-2024 B737Metro Oakland Intl ()John Wayne () 06:48PM PDT 07:51PM PDT 1:02
20-Apr-2024 B737Kansas City Intl ()Metro Oakland Intl () 04:33PM CDT 05:58PM PDT 3:24
20-Apr-2024 B737Nashville Intl ()Kansas City Intl () 01:53PM CDT 03:18PM CDT 1:24
20-Apr-2024 B737Orlando Intl ()Nashville Intl () 11:54AM EDT 12:31PM CDT 1:37
20-Apr-2024 B737Kansas City Intl ()Orlando Intl () 07:19AM CDT 10:36AM EDT 2:16
19-Apr-2024 B737William P Hobby ()Kansas City Intl () 10:02PM CDT 11:32PM CDT 1:30
19-Apr-2024 B737Valley Intl ()William P Hobby () 08:24PM CDT 09:09PM CDT 0:45
19-Apr-2024 B737William P Hobby ()Valley Intl () 06:59PM CDT 07:43PM CDT 0:43
19-Apr-2024 B737Tucson Intl ()William P Hobby () 01:58PM MST 05:52PM CDT 1:54
19-Apr-2024 B737San Diego Intl ()Tucson Intl () 12:02PM PDT 01:02PM MST 0:59
19-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()San Diego Intl () 09:55AM MDT 11:00AM PDT 2:05
19-Apr-2024 B737Des Moines Intl ()Denver Intl () 07:56AM CDT 08:37AM MDT 1:41
18-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()Des Moines Intl () 10:11PM MDT 12:21AM CDT (+1) 1:10
18-Apr-2024 B737Richmond Intl ()Denver Intl () 06:51PM EDT 08:30PM MDT 3:39
18-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()Richmond Intl () 12:59PM MDT 05:54PM EDT 2:54
18-Apr-2024 B737Muhammad Ali Intl ()Denver Intl () 10:47AM EDT 11:22AM MDT 2:34
18-Apr-2024 B737Hartsfield-Jackson Intl ()Muhammad Ali Intl () 08:53AM EDT 09:49AM EDT 0:55
18-Apr-2024 B737Fort Lauderdale Intl ()Hartsfield-Jackson Intl () 06:11AM EDT 07:38AM EDT 1:26
17-Apr-2024 B737Hartsfield-Jackson Intl ()Fort Lauderdale Intl () 10:06PM EDT 11:25PM EDT 1:19
16-Apr-2024 B737Kansas City Intl ()Hartsfield-Jackson Intl () 06:03PM CDT 08:45PM EDT 1:41
16-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()Kansas City Intl () 02:55PM MDT 05:03PM CDT 1:08
16-Apr-2024 B737Dallas Love Fld ()Denver Intl () 12:58PM CDT 01:37PM MDT 1:38
16-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()Dallas Love Fld () 09:36AM MDT 12:02PM CDT 1:26
16-Apr-2024 B737Portland Intl ()Denver Intl () 05:21AM PDT 08:35AM MDT 2:13
15-Apr-2024 B737Harry Reid Intl ()Portland Intl () 09:13PM PDT 11:13PM PDT 2:00
15-Apr-2024 B737San Diego Intl ()Harry Reid Intl () 06:55PM PDT 07:45PM PDT 0:50
15-Apr-2024 B737William P Hobby ()San Diego Intl () 04:51PM CDT 06:02PM PDT 3:11
15-Apr-2024 B737Corpus Christi Intl ()William P Hobby () 03:20PM CDT 03:52PM CDT 0:32
15-Apr-2024 B737William P Hobby ()Corpus Christi Intl () 01:30PM CDT 02:06PM CDT 0:35
15-Apr-2024 B737Dallas Love Fld ()William P Hobby () 11:42AM CDT 12:26PM CDT 0:44
15-Apr-2024 B737El Paso Intl ()Dallas Love Fld () 08:16AM MDT 10:33AM CDT 1:16
15-Apr-2024 B737San Antonio Intl ()El Paso Intl () 07:06AM CDT 07:21AM MDT 1:15
14-Apr-2024 B737Kansas City Intl ()San Antonio Intl () 06:52PM CDT 08:30PM CDT 1:37
14-Apr-2024 B737Harry Reid Intl ()Kansas City Intl () 01:44PM PDT 06:00PM CDT 2:15
14-Apr-2024 B737Tucson Intl ()Harry Reid Intl () 11:42AM MST 12:38PM PDT 0:56
14-Apr-2024 B737Harry Reid Intl ()Tucson Intl () 09:38AM PDT 10:32AM MST 0:54
13-Apr-2024 B737San Jose Int'l ()Harry Reid Intl () 05:22PM PDT 06:29PM PDT 1:07
13-Apr-2024 B737John Wayne ()San Jose Int'l () 03:32PM PDT 04:33PM PDT 1:00
13-Apr-2024 B737Denver Intl ()John Wayne () 01:25PM MDT 02:30PM PDT 2:04
13-Apr-2024 B737Muhammad Ali Intl ()Denver Intl () 11:27AM EDT 12:00PM MDT 2:33
13-Apr-2024 B737Baltimore/Washington Intl ()Muhammad Ali Intl () 08:56AM EDT 10:14AM EDT 1:18
13-Apr-2024 B737Bradley Intl ()Baltimore/Washington Intl () 06:26AM EDT 07:15AM EDT 0:48
12-Apr-2024 B737Chicago Midway Intl ()Bradley Intl () 07:52PM CDT 10:47PM EDT 1:55
12-Apr-2024 B737Memphis Intl ()Chicago Midway Intl () 05:25PM CDT 06:42PM CDT 1:17
12-Apr-2024 B737Dallas Love Fld ()Memphis Intl () 03:21PM CDT 04:18PM CDT 0:57
12-Apr-2024 B737Midland Intl Air and Space Port ()Dallas Love Fld () 12:59PM CDT 01:56PM CDT 0:56
12-Apr-2024 B737Dallas Love Fld ()Midland Intl Air and Space Port () 11:13AM CDT 12:06PM CDT 0:53
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