250 feet up a wind turbine

I really like the second shot. I looks like something from "War of the Worlds" and I agree inside the nacelle looks like you are in the space shuttle.

Great shots with a unique viewpoint. The interior shot is very interesting.

Are there no safety rails when you are standing outide on the top?

Mike

Nice pics! I would have dropped my camera or fallen off! I HATE heights!

I was surprised by how not freaked out I was to be at the top. I've had times when heights have bothered me. The climb up was worse for feeling uneasy than standing out on the nacelle. Probably not helped by the limited light climbing the ladder. And no, no safety rails, but you have two lanyards and one of them is clipped to something at all times. My camera was around someones neck, mostly mine, at all times.

Oh, and the Slingshot 100 was a great bag for this as it slung under my arm so didn't get on the way on the ladder. It was my light weight work kit. Thing is with all those ladders light soon felt like too damn heavy.

Citizen - these are spectacular shots. Never mind the light, they were just fine the way you did it and appreciate that you took the time to share them.

I live in Cleveland and we have one test "baby" turbine in front of our Science Center. I can see it from my office, although it's not as impressive as yours. There has been some talk of creating a wind farm just off shore on Lake Erie due to the constant breeze across the flat surface. I would be DEEEEElighted to have these things around as I think they are a thing of beautfy. - Stu

Off shore wind is great, the wind is more constant and with less turbulence because of the flat surface. Installation and maintenance is obviously a little more interesting, but the turbines perform better and can often support a bigger generator.

very interesting indeed, with #2 as my favorite
excellent captures

I've driven past and flown over the wind farm near Palm Springs but this really gives a much better perspective on just how big they really are...wow.

Cool and very interesting series. Thanks for offering them up!

I should get one of those to power my Alien Bees.

cdifoto wrote in post #4518650
I should get one of those to power my Alien Bees.

It's not in any of the photos I posted, but these towers have some big FAA warning lights on them. Put a diffuser over it and maybe you could just use the tower itself.

Citizensmith wrote in post #4520291
It's not in any of the photos I posted, but these towers have some big FAA warning lights on them. Put a diffuser over it and maybe you could just use the tower itself.

Beauty dish perhaps?

WOW, thanks for posting, these are really interesting.
I'm afraid of heights and these make me quiver just looking at them.

Very cool pics, Citizensmith. Are these the windmills at the Altamont Pass near Livermore? My shooting friend and I have been wondering for some time what may be the best vantage point and time of day to shoot them in the right light. (Of course, we'll never get your vantage point!) Feel free to send me a PM if you don't want to bore anyone with our Californicating.

These are over near Rio Vista, just the other side of the river to Antioch so should be well accessible to you. Public access wise the road you want to be on is Montezuma Hills Road which loops away from and back to Highway 12. Birds Landing to Collinsville Road to Talbert Road also is all public roads and gets you close to some turbines. There are plenty of turn outs and its fairly quiet, but it is just a two lane road with no shoulder so you do need to be careful.

In this area, and visible from the road, you'll see everything from the older Kenetech scafold towers which are in real bad shape, to the more modern single tower type ranging in height from 47m hub to these that are 80m hub.

Early morning is definitely the best, I've had some great shots from getting out there before sunrise.

Blimey don`t they just take very the landscape but great shots.