People Ready For Typhoon Lupit In Aparri Philippines

October 21, 2009 – Storm Chaser partner Jim Edds, is now on the ground in the city of Aparri, which is located on the northern coast of the Philippines. He is there to intercept and document Typhoon Lupit, which is forecast to track across the northern mainland coast. These are some images from the area once he arrived yesterday of local residents preparing for the storm. Expecting more updates over the next few days from him.

Celebrating Six Month Anniversary Post Kidney Transplant

October 12, 2009 – Six months ago today I underwent a very successful Kidney Transplant in Miami after waiting 4 years for a kidney. This morning I awoke like everyday since very thankful for my special gift from the unknown 20 year old that lost their life to better mine. The last six months have been great, and I have been living life again to it’s fullest. I greatly appreciate everyday waking up feeling strong and ready to take on the world.

I’ve recently learned that I might be able to make contact with my donor family if they’re willing to make contact with me through a post-transplant mediator. I’d really like to know more about my donor and who they were. Were they female or male? What was their personality like? What were their interests? All I was allowed to know at the time of the surgery on Easter Sunday evening, was that the person was a young 20 years old, and they were very healthy. I hope to find out more about them in the coming months, and get to share a little more information about their life.

I want to also thank all of my family and friends, and Chaser buds for all their great support over the last half of year. The key for me over the last four years pre and post transplant, is to stay positive and focused.

To be continued…

Captured Waterspout Offshore Sanibel Island FL Pictures

October 12, 2009 – Sunday morning a water spout formed about 6 miles due south of Sanibel Island, Florida. Around 9:30am, a developing heavy shower was slowly moving west-northwest over the very warm Gulf waters offshore Southwest Florida. Shortly after a waterspout organized under the dark rain free base of the cell, with a visible funnel about halfway to the water surface. There was a surface circulation and spray ring visible in the pictures after having to enhance the contrast.

Further east over the interior Southern Florida peninsula, they were burning sugarcane like they do every October for harvesting. The easterly flow made for a hazy morning over the eastern Gulf waters, also making it harder to make out if the funnel was truly reaching the surface. From the visible eye, it was easier to see that indeed it was on the water and producing a spray ring. After messing around with the contrast levels in the digital pictures here, you can make out the spray below and to the right of the funnel / spout.

The duration of the water spout was about 7 minutes, at least from the first time I took notice of it, as I was packing up the car after our week long vacation on Sanibel Island. It made for a nice weather lover departing gift for me, after all the other outstanding nature photography I was able to capture throughout the week on the island.

Update – 10/13/09 - I want to thank Daniel Noah, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay. Daniel sent me a archived radar image of the small cell. Below you can see truly how small this little shower was that produced the waterspout. Looking at the image also, I think it might have been further south than 6 miles from Sanibel. Again, thanks to Daniel for the update, and he also noted that the waterspout will be added to storm data.

Similar Waterspout Posts:
Lake Okeechobee Water Spout and Gustnadoes Video
Pompano Beach Florida Waterspout Pictures

Sanibel Island Sunset – Harvest Moon Coconut Palms

October 5, 2009 – Last night was our first evening on Sanibel Island, Florida. Kersten, JJ and I, are on a week long annual getaway trip along the southwest offshore Florida waters. Our first late afternoon and evening gave way to a beautiful Gulf of Mexico sunset along the white sandy beaches. We walked along the beach searching for seashells and taking pictures along the way as the light slowly faded. It was a nice end to the day after the pleasant trip over from the Florida east coast, and the awesome Miami Dolphins first (finally) win over the Buffalo Bills.

Just after sunset, the moonrise was also underway, as the bright October Harvest Moon broke the horizon looking back towards the east. Later that night the bright moon illuminated the coconut palm tree’s as they danced in the very warm southerly breezes.

My brother Craig made it over to the condo shortly after 10:30pm (after being at the Miami Game), to enjoy a few days with us as well. We fired up the grill again late into the night and had some burgers under the moon. Now as I write this post, it’s 3:00am and everyone is asleep as I edit a small sample of my pictures from our first day on vacation. Hope you like them DeeDee!

Storm Chaser Typhoon Parma Philippines Flooding Video

October 5, 2009 – Typhoon Chaser James Reynolds sends in the latest video scenes from Typhoon Parma. James’s footage feed was shot along a coastal highway from Laoag to Pampalona, in extreme northwest Philippines. He uploaded this latest video to us via satellite data phone. You can find out more on his Typhoon coverage at: Typhoonfury.com

Okeechobee County K9 Drug Unit and Air Rescue Helicopter

October 3, 2009 – The Okeechobee County Sheriff Office, put on a K9 Unit demonstration earlier today in front of Home Depot. I just happened to get word of the ongoing event at the time, and raced over with Kersten and JJ. I was impressed to see a nice display of Okeechobee Counties Fire Rescue and Sheriff Office vehicles, including a Fire Rescue helicopter that put on a nice liftoff flight at the end.

Below are a series of still photographs of the event.

Typhoon Melor Monster Waves Slam Cliffs Of Saipan Video

October 3, 2009 – The latest from Storm Chaser Jim Edds currently on the island of Saipan (northern Mariana Islands) in the West Pacific chasing Typhoon Melor. The intense Typhoon passed north of the island, but sent impressive large waves that were smashing into the 175 foot cliff’s. Gusty Tropical Storm force winds and monster waves pounded the northern coast of Saipan during the day Saturday.

Jim continues his two month Typhoon Chase Expedition in the west Pacific tomorrow, when he returns to Guam where he is based out of for this trip. More can be found on Jim’s website at: Extremestorms.com

Related Typhoon Melor Posts: Exclusive: Storm Chaser Jim Edds Saipan Typhoon Melor Video

Exclusive: Chaser Jim Edds Report Saipan Typhoon Melor

October 2, 2009 – My fellow Storm Chaser and partner Jim Edds, is currently on the island of Saipan for Typhoon Melor. This is a recent exclusive video update from him for Weatherzine. He has been driving around Saipan shooting scenes before the storm, and interviewing some of the locals of the island talking about the nearing storm. Typhoon Melor is expected to become a Super Typhoon and pass just to the north of the island as of the latest forecast track.

I’m in communication with Jim several times a day via Skype video, and expecting further updates from Jim during the passage of the large Typhoon over the next day or two. Jim is currently on a two month Typhoon chase expedition in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, and basing himself out of Guam. For more updates on Jim, visit his personal website at: Extremestorms.com

Related Typhoon Melor Posts: Typhoon Melor Monster Waves Slam Cliffs Of Saipan Video