Fire in the Sky Sunset Over Lands End, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This was one of the most incredible photo ops I've ever had! I hired an ultralight pilot to take me up for an hour over Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We took off a half hour before sunset and flew for about a half hour afterwards. He was a very skilled pilot, named Ernesto (owner of Cabo Sky Tours).

This was my first ultralight flight and my first attempt at shooting from any aircraft, other than a Boeing 737 through a window. Aside from doing my best to not fall out of the thing (was held on only by a lap belt) I had to shoot while hanging on to a little aluminum vertical bar, try to not allow the vibrations from the craft connect with the camera, concentrate on composition and exposure, while flying at about 50 MPH. Although this is not exactly a top notch high quality image in terms of sharp detail, it does indeed show the incredible colors of the sunset reflecting off the Lands End formation and the bay.

When we landed both Ernesto and myself were totally ear-to-ear grins! He said to me "are you happy!?!" Oh holy cow, even if I didn't shoot a single photo this was an A M A Z I N G flight! He said I picked THE BEST DAY to do this.

All through the day the sky kept filling with clouds and I considered canceling the fight. He even said he figured I wouldn't show. But ultimately I thought we might get a break on the western horizon at sunset that would allow the colors to come through, so I went for it! Best decision ever! I shot1,100 photos!!! We both were exhilarated when we landed.

--Amigo Jim--