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Friday 6 May 2011

The Weekend in Black and White


Less than a week ago gorse fires started in our part of Co. Donegal. The wind has been strong, and the fires spread rapidly. The Air Corps was called in to keep the fires away from houses - ours among them. We were a bit worried, but it was wonderful to see the helicopters carrying 2500 litre buckets of water from the nearby lake.

The smoke was very thick.

The helicopters came quite close, sometimes almost skimming the roofs.
We could feel fine drops of water falling from the buckets.

You may be able to see some water spray coming from the bottom of the bucket in this photo.

We are all very grateful to the Air Corps helicopter crews!

For many more black and white photos, visit the links on the Home Page.

27 comments:

Harry Snowden said...

Glad your alright....great pictures too!

Dimple said...

I just saw some satellite photos of fires in Scotland and Ireland yesterday, and I wondered if they were very near you; I'm glad you're OK, too!

I'm also glad you didn't miss an opportunity to use your camera! Very interesting shots, especially the two with the buckets.

Antonia said...

The pictures are great! I hope the Air Corps succeed to stop the fire.

lina@home sweet home said...

Wow, those are rare and awesome shots! Glad to know that you're alright...

Anonymous said...

That's a little too close for comfort! Great shots.

Sweepy said...

That looked woofy scary!
I bark at the humans when I sense danger anywhere in Heaven!

Leckeres für Mensch und Katze - Goodies for a pleasant life said...

Great shots. I would have fear.. - And thanks for visiting my blog. LG Tina

Carver said...

Thank goodness you all are alright. I had read about these fires but didn't realize they were near you. Great shots and my hats off to the fearless work of those in the helicopters and all the fire fighters.

Laura said...

I'm glad you are safe, that must have been terribly frightening!

B i r g i t t a said...

Hope everything turned out well. The waterbuckets seem so tiny

YTSL said...

What Harry Snowden said! Seriously, hope the fire didn't cause too much damage in the area -- and was *not* started by arsonists or careless folks...

Regina said...

Wonderful captures!
Happy weekend.

Birgitta said...

Glad to know that you are allright! Great shots!

Lachezar said...

This is a great sequence! Lucky the fire was contained and you ended up with a good photo op and no damage to your house!

Anonymous said...

They did a superb job.
That last shot is my fav - dynamic.

genie said...

Oh, how scary. I cannot even imagine he fear you all felt. Am so glad you were able to capture the helicopter and the water bucket over the house. Thanks goodness all was saved and you all are OK. I bet the house is going to smell like shook for a while to come. Take care...I enjoyed your pictures even though they had a very sad and fearsome tone t them. Genie

Rejen said...

Great pictures, and hopefully you are okay...;-D Fire is very frightening...

Lucy Corrander : Photos said...

Very, very worrying - yet the pictures breathe relief.

Hope all is ok now.

Lucy

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Yes, great pictures. Do stay safe.

NatureFootstep said...

very good shots and great way to crop them. :) I love the shots even if were better if they were not needed. :)

Unknown said...

Scary situation, but great pictures. Hope all is well now.

Margaret Gosden said...

Great shots! Such clarity...

Gunsside said...

Great shots from a scary situation, hope it turn out weell!
- and thankyou for picking my photo this week ;0
I am a little bit late because of a trip up in the mountain this week
Have a nice day

Cildemer said...

Glad to know that you are OK!
And your shots are terrific!
My favourite is the last one;o)
Thanks for sharing;o)

***
Have a nice and happy week****

Anonymous said...

The first shot is the winner here. Hope you guys are safe.

David said...

Wow! That saying 'always have your camera' is certainly true. I'm recalling your post about floods not that long ago and now fires!
I'm glad you are ok. Hope the fires are over soon.
Those are dramatic images.
David/ Houston B&W

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful photo essay==(newspaper worthy -- I bet your pictures are better than what your daily paper showed). But my gosh, that was more excitement than you needed I imagine! Gosh, scary.

I am glad you are OK and yes Thank Heavens for those pilots and their expertise and bravery.