The majority of observed thermal "ripple" is (usually) very close to the ground and a thin, barely noticeable mirage forms. With experience, one can tell the direction (normal component) of the wind by the direction mirage "ripple" slant. With more experience, velocity (normal component) can be reasonably estimated. This effect has been used by skilled bowmen and marksmen for years.
As to being "harder to shoot fireworks with a digital camera than on film," stop chimping and it'll get better. Regards, Bob... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced. From: "D. Glenn Arthur Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Huh. I guess that being able to see the image rippling from > the movement of air between me and the subject, that's pretty > much a guarantee that I'm not going to be able to get a sharp > image at such distances today, right? > > (Argh. Two helicopters parked downtown, and I can't get a > sharp enough focus to read the markings on them. And while > I had the telescope attached, the dragonfly who usually just > darts across the street (or back) lickety split, decided to > do a couple of lazy loops about four meters from me while I > scrambled to grab a reasonable lens (and then popped up over > the roof as soon as I had a proper lens in hand). > > As long as I'm babbling non-linearly ... is it just me, or > is it harder to shoot fireworks with a digital camera than > on film? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
