20090309 Lima to Iquique to Calama

N850SJ waiting to depart from Lima. Pilot Steve is in his impatient pose, though, I don't rember this taking very long.

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM at 17.0 mm; 1/6400 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100

Fueling N82XL. One to fuel, one to supervise, and one paranoid (as normal) pilot.

Canon EOS 40D with Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO HSM EX at 500.0 mm; 1/800 sec, f/6.4, ISO 100

Captain Ben. Unfortunately, Captain Ben was just told to return to parking for some stupid bizarre paperwork stamp. The first appearance of Bertha (Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 APO HSM)! Bri was hoping to get some great take off photos with her.

The planes at Calama. Patrick's TBM N850WM, then Steve's TBM N850SJ, then John's Cheyenne N82XL, then Behn's Cirrus N173CT.

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS at 24.0 mm; 1/320 sec, f/7.0, ISO 100

N850SJ aggressively waits for passengers to return.

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS at 24.0 mm; 1/200 sec, f/7.0, ISO 100

An hour-ish long drive from the Calama airport to San Pedro de Atacama. Bri was stunned (and dozing) by the harsh scenery.

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS at 105.0 mm; 1/200 sec, f/7.0, ISO 100

No trees. Flat. Road.

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS at 85.0 mm; 1/200 sec, f/7.0, ISO 100

From a van. No trees. Dry. Desert. Moon?

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS at 24.0 mm; 1/60 sec, f/7.0, ISO 100

From a van, at sunset. Wow, could you ask for better light? This is Atacama!

Canon EOS 40D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS at 24.0 mm; 1/4 sec, f/4.0, ISO 1600

First capture of the Explora in Atacama. This is the upper deck; it barely captures the wonderful architecture of Explora.