CHRISTMAS IN CANCUN........

When you have to work on Christmas, it's always nice to have a nice place to stay. Here's a view from our hotel in Cancun.  It was absolutely gorgeous...............the water was incredible, the temperature just right, and warm friendly folks everywhere.  Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas wherever you are! 

Flamingo in Aruba

I've been going through a lot of my older photos.  Boy, they sure bring back some great memories.  Here's a shot of a flamingo I took while in Aruba (AUA). The hotel that we stay at has a private island with seven or eight flamingos.  They've become "domesticated" and mingle with the folks vacationing there.  I was literally able to get within inches of this flamingo, hence the close up.  Sure makes me want to go back there for some R and R.......

JIMMY AND REMMY RACE!

For Jimmy's birthday, I bought him several races at the local K1 racing track.  He took his good friend Remmy (NOT a Jet's fan by the way..............LOL), to show him how to race one of these little speed demons.  As you can see from the time on the board, Jimmy seemed to have figured the track out fairly quickly and won this race (and several after that). Remmy didn't do too bad either, but it seems Jimmy is so competitive on every level, it's just hard to beat him.  Good job Jimmy!  Hope you both had fun!  

USA TODAY WEATHER PHOTO!

Was notified that I had another photo in the USA Today newspaper today!  The shot is of Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel mountains outside of San Francisco.  It was only a light dusting, but was beautiful to say the least.   Looks like winter is on its way!!!!  Bundle up!

BIRD UNION MEETING

A couple of days ago while I was driving home, I noticed an inordinate number of birds congregating on the power lines by where I live. Since a few were moving about, it took a few minutes to get a shot of a group of sitting birds.......................  So now we have a photo of a union meeting going to the birds! :-)

VIRGA RAINBOW

Yesterday, December 1st, 2012, I had the opportunity to fly a military charter into Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL.  While descending into the Naval Air Station airspace, we flew right below a "virga rainbow" that developed in front of us.  It was certainly a nice "greeting" to our early morning arrival......one that had started at 0300 in the morning in Newark a few hours earlier!

MILAGRO AND ANGEL VISIT

Maria's aunt Milagro and her husband Angel, visited us last week for a few days.  Maria had their day packed with fun filled adventures....................including a trip on an airboat in the everglades, and a flight with Adriana from Dade Collier airport to Fort Lauderdale Executive airport. The highlight of course, was the flight with Adriana at the controls..........................  Not many people get the opportunity to see the everglades from 2000 feet with an aspiring 17 year old pilot at the controls!  Hope you enjoyed your visit Milagro and Angel!  See you soon!

USA TODAY NEWSPAPER PHOTO #26!

Was notified today that my photo was in the USA Today newspaper weather section again.  This makes #26 over the past two years!  What a thrill to see another photo in a worldwide circulated paper! The picture is of the nor'easter Athena, that hit the northeast USA a couple of weeks ago. It brought quite a bit of snow and misery to an already overstressed northeast corridor. The photo was taken approximately 150 miles southeast of the New Jersey coastline at 38,000 feet,  just hours before the nasty weather started.

LAS SUNSET

I took this beautiful shot a couple of weeks ago descending into Las Vegas (LAS). The fire from the sun really lit the clouds up.  I believe I have the best office in the world for sight seeing!

HOMESTEAD AIRSHOW!!!!!

Got to go to the spectacular Homestead Air Reserve Base airshow this past weekend!  What a beautiful weekend to watch incredible airplanes.  Wish my camera's hadn't acted up, but here's a few shots from that show!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM SOUTHERN FLORIDA

Even the beaches celebrate Halloween..................check out this parasailing design.....................they think of everything!

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SUNSET IN HOLLYWOOD!

I'm always amazed at the number of gorgeous sunsets we have here in southern Florida.  With a new tropical storm headed this way, the clouds and winds have produced another phenomenal sunset for me to share with you.  Here are a couple of shots from my home this evening!

BEAUTIFUL SUNSET!

Here's a shot from August of last year. The sun was setting and made for a perfect photo opportunity. One of the wonderful things about being a pilot is the awesome sights we see.  I'm happy to be able to share them with everyone!

NEWARK AERIAL SHOT!

Here's a photo of my "home away from home", NEWARK airport!  Although it may look nice from the air, it certainly reminds me of why I live in Florida! I will say that it's a fun airport to fly into and out of, and the ATC controllers are really nice folks!  Some pilots say seeing Newark in their rear view mirror is the sign it's going to be a great day!  LOL

$100 HAMBURGER

Today Adriana and I flew to the Okeechobee airport to have our first "$100 hamburger".  Pilots are known for taking off on a Saturday or Sunday to just fly around for a bit and land somewhere for a burger.  This has been known as going to get a "$100 hamburger" as that's about what it costs to do this.  Unfortunately, with the price of aviation fuel and airplane rentals going up, it costs a bit more now.  We went to a great little restaurant at  the airport called "The Landing Strip", and had a wonderful breakfast instead of lunch, so it was a "$100 egg and sausage breakfast".  By the time we landed back at the Ft. Lauderdale Executive airport (FXE), the breakfast had cost me $260!  Hmmmm, there's got to be a cheaper way! But we had a ball and Adri did an outstanding job flying and navigating us both ways!  Guess we'll have to do this more often! 

FAMILY PHOTO!

Finally decided it was time for a "family" photo, so here it is!  Adriana on the left, Jimmy, Maria, and last but not least ME!  What a good looking family, eh?  So we have Adriana, the next airline pilot in the family, Jimmy the next USA/WORLD number one tennis player, Maria -- #1 in my heart, and me the lowly photographer.......................  ;-)

VEGAS SUNSET

Last week during our descent into Las Vegas (LAS), the sun gave the appearance that the horizon was on fire.  It was spectacular to say the least.  I never get tired of seeing sights like this.................   Boy, what an office I have!!!!!

SUNRISE IN HOLLYWOOD

This was the sunrise we woke up to here in Hollywood, FL, this morning!  Absolutely breath-taking!

USA TODAY PHOTO

Was advised I had another photo in the USA Today newspaper today!  I took this photo during a flight from Haiti, to Newark, NJ, last month.  It is of a torrential downpour in the Bahamas. We were about 30 miles away from the island when I took this shot.  This is a perfect example of why we stay clear of these storms..............the up and downdrafts are actually strong enough to rip the wings off a plane!  NEVER, EVER fool with Mother Nature! 

FOREST FIRES

During our flight to Seattle, WA, the other day, we flew over some mountain ranges in Montana, that were literally being consumed by fires. My guess is that the ashes from other fires were responsible for starting new ones.  As you can see in the photo, numerous small fires are just starting up.  The only thing I can think of when I see destruction like this is that their are millions of helpless animals that have no idea what is happening around them............. 

BIG OWL EYES

Last week when I took Adriana to the airport to practice touch and goes, I walked over to see if my "buddies" were by their hole in the ground.  I guess they heard my footsteps and came to see who was coming to visit.  Here's a shot of them. My, what big EYES you have!  Beautiful ground dwelling owls, aren't they?

NEWARK SUNRISE

This morning our departure from Newark (EWR) gave us a beautiful surprise...........a gorgeous sunrise with the Empire State building in the background.  I KNEW Newark was good for something!  LOL 

SUNSET

Here's a beautiful sunset shot I took en route from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Newark, NJ, a while back. It's amazing the different sunsets you can see from 39,000 feet.

NEWARK SUNSET DEPARTURE

Last night as we were departing Newark (EWR), the sunset made a wonderful photo opportunity for me.  Here's a shot of a B-737 getting ready to depart. The sun's glow was incredible as you can see...............

Happy Birthday Dorothy Novak!!!!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish my mom a wonderful 76th birthday and thank her for all she's done for me over the years!  I wish you many more years of joy and happiness on this earth and thank God that he's given this world such a wonderful person as you!  I love you!  Happy birthday mom! 

OMINOUS CLOUD.........

During a recent flight from Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL) to Newark, NJ (EWR), I snapped this shot of a thunderstorm complete with lightning and a setting sun.  I was a bit surprised how "eerie" this shot turned out.... This has to be one of my more "strange" shots, but I love it anyways..................... 

CONGRATULATIONS ADRIANA BENDECK!!!!

My stepdaughter took her private pilot check ride yesterday (23 July, 2012), and passed WITH FLYING COLORS!!!!!! What an amazing 17 year old she is! I can only imagine what great heights she will achieve in her lifetime! Congratulations Adriana!!! We're ALL so proud of you and your accomplishments!

SOUTH BEACH THUNDERSTORM

Miami has been getting a lot of pretty bad thunderstorms lately.  Here's a picture I took two weeks ago as one formed and passed just to the north of my position. I was hoping to get a nice shot of a water spout, unfortunately, none developed.  Hopefully next time!

#22 USA Today photo

Well I was just notified that I'm having my 22nd photo published in the USA Today newspaper tomorrow, 11 July, 2012!  Here's the shot that is being published!  It is of a level 5 (the largest) thunderstorm off the coast of South Carolina. This monster is over 7.5 miles high!  It is in the "dissipating" stage and the large top that is blowing off is called the "anvil".  These thunderstorms can produce some SERIOUS damage......good thing it was out over the Atlantic Ocean.

What an incredible view!

One of the nicest things about my job is the incredible views we experience every time we fly.  While flying IFR (on instruments) there's not a whole lot going on, but when we're VFR (visual) it's a whole new ballgame!  Here's a shot I took recently as we pass just to the left of a building thunderstorm.  How beautiful is this?  Sometimes I can't really believe I'm paid to do this!

CONTINENTAL!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes you just can't beat the best.  I have to tell you, I REALLY miss my old airline!  Enough said.......................

Today while getting some R and R at Miami's South Beach, I had the pleasure of meeting a young man who is not only working on his Masters Degree, but is also an outstanding gymnast. Even though I was athletic in high school, I NEVER looked this good (well, maybe close.....LOL). Heck, he was even doing hand stand pushups!!! At any rate, Michael let me take a few shots and a small video of him doing his "aerial" work and here they are! Good luck my friend!

ADRI FLIES AN AMPHIB!!!

The other day my stepdaughter got quite a surprise.  She thought we were going to see my friend Vinny Pipitone's new home, which just happens to be next to the Caldwell Airport in New Jersey.  Instead, we pulled over at the airport and she got her first lesson in the Pipitone's amphibious Cessna 185!  After several water landings (which she did a great job flying), we took a sight seeing flight up the Hudson River and circled the Statue of Liberty a couple of times! THEN we went to see Vinny's gorgeous new home. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Vinny!  Geez, what a neat surprise, eh?

FUR COAT TURTLE!

During my recent trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ), I saw a couple of turtles that must spend an inordinate amount of time lolly gagging around in the small ponds around the hotel. I came to this conclusion after observing the LONG fur coats (algae?) that some seemed to be wearing.  The fish in the ponds with them seemed to enjoy eating this algae, and the turtles seemed to enjoy letting them do it.  It never amazes me the things you see in mother nature.

INCREDIBLE SUNSET!

The other day while flying from Newark, NJ (EWR), to Mexico City, (MEX), we witnessed an awesome sunset.  The fiery reds were absolutely stunning.  It's such a great part of my job to be able to see sights like this. Yep, there MUST be a GOD to create masterpieces like this!

PIKES MARKET FLOWERS!

During my most recent trip to Seattle, WA, (SEA), I was lucky enough to stay downtown . Our hotel is only a five minute walk from Pikes Market, and if you've ever been there, you know what a fascinating place it is! Fish, flower, jerky and handicraft vendors are out in force there. Here's a couple of shots of some flowers in the market that I took a few days ago.  They have some of the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen dotting the marketplace.  I could walk around this place for days!