The Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers competed in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. I was 15 miles away on the side of a mountain overlooking Silicon Valley.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II and AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
ISO: 360
Focal Length: 600mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/2000s
Fortunately, 30 minutes before the start of the Super Bowl, the Blue Angels flew over Silicon Valley. Nothing better than a test run before the real deal…for them, as well as for me. 600mm was a bit too close since I wanted to see the Blue Angels in their surroundings, so I removed the teleconverter and waited and waited and waited.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II and AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
ISO: 125
Focal Length: 600mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/2000s
Shortly after 3:30 PM, I spotted the Blue Angels again. This time, they were flying in formation and leaving behind a trail of smoke.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
ISO: 500
Focal Length: 300mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/3200s
I followed the Blue Angels as they passed over Hangar One at Moffett Field.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
ISO: 560
Focal Length: 300mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/3200s
The Blue Angels continued their journey over Silicon Valley with the offices of Rambus and Samsung in the foreground.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
ISO: 560
Focal Length: 300mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/3200s
And, just as Lady Gaga finished singing the national anthem, the Blue Angels soared over Levi’s Stadium.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
ISO: 560
Focal Length: 300mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/3200s
The Blue Angels concluded their flyover at Mineta San Jose International Airport. I could still see the planes for a few more minutes, but they had turned off their smoke trail and had broken formation by then.
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
ISO: 640
Focal Length: 300mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter: 1/3200s