I have been doing quite a bit of fishing.  Mostly at Jefferson Lake in Rigby, Idaho. Its literally 3 minutes away in the car.  There are mostly 6+ inches rainbow trout.  The biggest so far is only around 13 inches.  It is a blast tho and the sunsets really make a great ending to the day.  I have also ventured out to near Heisi Ski resort to pick huckleberries.  We managed to pick over a gallon from the 2 times we went.  I made huckleberry cheesecake and jam and also used it on ice cream.  Talk about a treat that is amazing.  The Huckleberry is a wild blueberry and has a very tart and sweet taste.  They take quite a bit of time to harvest since your basically picking one at a time.  If you find a good method you could harvest a lot quicker.

As far as storm chasing goes. This year has really been quite slow.  I got a few severe wind events with Shelf clouds and then some lightning photos.  The weather just does that sometimes.  Some years are very active and others are slow.  There is still about 40 days left that could bring something.  Typically by the second to third week of October we will have temps in the 40-50’s and lows in the 30’s.

I did do some uploads to the Photo Gallery and hope you will enjoy them.  There are 2 new Lightning events and an International Space Station flyover album with some great photos.  Visit  http://www.severeidaho.com/gallery/ for the photos.

If you have read this far down the update I wanted to let you know that you can find me on Facebook and Twitter.

http://www.facebook.com/severeidaho

http://twitter.com/SevereIdaho

Here is the latest Gardening Youtube video I recorded.

Please Subscribe and give a Thumbs up.

New Video coming shortly.

Thanks for stopping by.

-Gerrit

The Rigby Lake show was really stretched out and was very noticeable.  There was a huge attendence on that Friday July 2nd but the show was more aimed towards time and money.  I believe the reason behind it was that they wanted to do 2 shows.  One on Fiday and one on Saturday.  It was still fun to photograph the show.  I got great results.  I would have posted video but I didnt realize that Autofocus would ruin the video.  There was way to much unfocused fireworks on the video and I didnt feel it was right to post it.  Here are a few photos and the link to the gallery.

View Album @ http://www.severeidaho.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=62

The Idaho Falls July 3rd Show was absolutely incredible.  It was like a non stop Grand Finale.  They did not hold back at all on this show.  The crowd was in the Thousands and the weather couldnt have been better.  I was going to videotape this event but decided at last minute that it would have been too much work to watch both camera’s while taking pictures.  I had always wanted to get a photo with the Snake River in the background and this was a great time to do so.  I took well over 300 photos.  It took forever to crop all the photos and do simple edits with.  Im extremely happy with the results and cant wait for next year.

Here are a few photos and then the link to the album.

To see the Full album visit http://www.severeidaho.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=63

Hope you all enjoy the photos.  TO LICENSE a photo please contact me for info.

-gerrit gulden

http://www.severeidaho.com

I dont know the history behind the OnlineSchools.org website but do appreciate the mentioning of my blog.

Thanks.

-gerrit

Happy Fathers Day Everyone.

There are also many Panorama’s that I did.

http://www.severeidaho.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=60

Today is June 4 2010 and the Outlook for thunderstorms did not cover Eastern Idaho.  Thunderstorms were mentioned in the 7 day forecast from KPIH but as far as I was concerned nothing would be interesting enough to chat about.  That was not the case.

As you can see in this radar Screenshot from Stormlab 4 by http://www.interwarn.com/ a line formed from Southeastern Jefferson and Southwest to Bonneville and Bannock Counties. This Line went severe warned for Winds but from my area it didnt do much.  I was under the line in Jefferson County.   My Problem was that I wasnt expecting this. I was actually going to Broulims to buy all the items I needed to make dinner.

My Question about the Line is why did it go severe?  As you can see in the image the Line doesnt have an impressive DBZ, also the Storm attributes are weak at best.

No Matter the reason, it appears 2010 is repeating 2009, except 2010 is starting earlier.  I dont know if this line produced a shelf cloud.  If you have pictures email me a link to your pictures.

2010 actually is trending to be an inactive year.  Aside from this event and the April 21 event Thunderstorms have yet to be an item to talk about.  This year is pretty cool (temp wise) compared to last and windy as well.  I just barely will get my garden in the ground due to late season snows and freezes.  I hope for a great harvest come Late summer.

Other big update is that I bought a New Camcorder.  It is a JVC Everio SD [GZ-MS230] Black.  It is a tiny camcorder but it produces great video results.  It also has a timelapse feature that I definetely will be using this year.  I also intend to be creating a good amount of lightning videos.  This camcorder does great in low light and I cant wait to get some beautiful CGS with this new toy.  I have extra batteries for this camcorder and I also have extra batteries for my Nikon D40.  I definetely wont be limited on Memory either with all my toys.

I did have a recent surgery on May 27th. It was a Pilonidal Cyst removal that involved General Anesthesia.  I ended up with an Incision around 1 inch up and down and a hole that goes almost 5 inches deep.  Its an open healing wound and will take close to 8 weeks to fully heal.  Thus far its been a pain trying to keep it clean and also driving is quite uncomfortable.  The area the wound is at is right near by Tail bone, above my Buttocks.  I am really hoping I wont have any problems driving to storms this year before it heals all the way.  Hopefully Ibuprofen will do the trick.

WELL,  I will be actively chasing this year any severe storms that pop in Eastern Idaho.  I am desperately hoping for a Northwestern Supercell.  I am also hoping for large hail and beautiful storm structure and plenty of night time lightning events.   WISH Me Luck.

This year I will definetely be pursuing the intermountain thunderstorms and do hope for some great footage.  I will also do my best to make it into the plains to finally chase some real storms.  I have a good feeling about this year and my cameras and shutter finger is very anxious to take new photos and video.  During the Spring season I will be updating this blog with forecasts and outlooks and chase info.

Current weather story is snow here in Idaho.  Looks like the rest of the week has snow forecasted, yet little to no accumulation is expected.

Stay Tuned and thanks for stopping by..

-gerrit

http://www.facebook.com/severeidaho

Find out what Im thinking, planning and more.  Register and add me as a friend.  Cant wait to see you.

Pictures here.

http://www.severeidaho.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=50

The storm was Severe Warned for hail and wind and in the warning there was mention of slight rotation.  I watched from Right off the Interstate 15 Highway till the storm eventually weakened and got into the Highlands/Mountains. 

Video Here.

There was also June 5 2009,  The Incredible Complex Line of storms that moved North and stayed mainly in the Snake River plain.  As the Line progressed North the Storm filled in from West to East and Intensified.  By the time It reached Idaho Falls it went severe and the fun began.  I filmed and shot photos from my Backyard all the way till the storm got directly overhead.  The storm was warned for winds and possible hail and there was also rotation.  63mph winds occured over my area along with Pea sized hail and a few slightly larger than 1/4 inch.

Pictures here.

  http://www.severeidaho.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=51

Video Here.

There are storms predicted thru next week and occasional Strong to Severe thunderstorms are possible.  On days that storms can develop from strong to severe I will be active trying to get footage.  Its an active year so far and we are only in June. 

Keep an eye on the youtube channel and Photo Gallery for updates.  I know I havent been updating this blog lately and will try to fit in more time to update you guys on whats going on. 

Have a great Weekend and keep checking back for new photos and video.

-gerrit

With WebCamMax you can add all sorts of Overlays that will show with your video.  You can also doodle on your image and even add a background of your choice.  There is also an option which has been released with the New Nintendo DS where you can morph your face, well guess what, WebCamMax has that ability and more. 

What if you went on a trip and captured some amazing footage and all your friends and family wanted to see it.  Well with WebcamMax you can stream your captured footage as a Movie.

The User Interface is very well designed and makes for very easy operation in my opinion.  This application is Compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista 32bit OS and the newest version is even Compatible on Windows Vista 64bit.  How often does an application have the option to work for an operating system as late as Windows 2000?  This is great news for all webcam enthusiasts and will no doubt meet the demand in the current video market.  Youtube users of all sorts and Live streamers and Buiness’s need to jump on this great webcam application and experience what WebCamMax is all about. This application will bring new dimension to all sorts of Video genres.  

Where can you expect to see WebcamMax?  Well I have already seen WebCamMax on the Live Stormchasing websites, I have also seen videos on youtube made with webcamMax and practically anywhere else you see live video.  You will no doubt find all my future videos to be made with WebCamMax and all my live streams will all take place with the application as well. 

Where can you get this program you ask?  

 http://www.webcammax.com/

At the link above you will find the Home to WebCamMax.com where you can purchase your very own license to use WeBcamMax to make all your video needs come true.  You will no doubt have all the options you ever dreamed of and your users that see your video will want more and more. 

Again,

http://www.webcammax.com/

Go there now and get your fill of WebCamMax. 

Even if you arent satisfied yet, go there and take a trial run of the software.  Yes, you can try the software for free before you buy.  I gaurantee you will want to buy the Application called WEBCAMMAX after you try it. 

Here is one more screenshot before I conclude.

Go to http://www.webcammax.com/ and tell them Gerrit Gulden from SevereIdaho.Com sent ya. 

-gerrit gulden

Check back in the next couple of days to see what I have been up to. 

Other than storms I have been working in the yard.  Today I planted 18 rasberry plants and do hope that they make it.  I also planted several strawberry plants so I can get a patch in the backyard.  My front yard patch of strawberry doesnt get enough sunlight for big berries and do believe by late summer I will have a ton of big strawberries.  I also hope to have a great harvest of rasberries as well.  I am planning to do some vegetable gardening as well and have a new area picked out. My old area didnt get enough sunlight either, however I will use the old area to plant low sunlight plants. 

Spring is here and it is lovely.  Our highs are in the 70’s and the grass is turning green faster then I can count to 5, lol.  The winter was a long one and I hope Spring and summer lasts a good while cause Im sure not ready for winter to come back. 

By the way, we could see snow this weekend.  I doubt it will stick, but just wanted to let you know. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope you like the new look. 

-gerrit

Take for instance my timelapse video from June 30 2008

This video was made from a total of around 4,000 images taken with my webcam and set to 15 frames per second in the video.  You can see the clouds as they grew into storms and expand.  Since I love the weather I love to capture active days so I can enjoy the Convection and the structure that comes with growth of each storm. 

Or what about this video that was taken during the winter time.  Again, my video.

Again this video included about 3 to 5,000 images which I in turn made a video at about 15 frames per second. 

How Can you do this, You ask?   I will gladly share my technique since I love to watch to watch timelapse videos and to be honest, there isnt enough IMHO. 

Requirements…………..  The First Step……….

1. Webcam or Digital Camera.

If you have a digital camera with a Timelapse option (aka interval option for taking a photo every second and up to 30 seconds to a minute, five minutes, hour apart) then you too can get involved.  If you have a digital camera like I do, you can get involved as well, but your requirement to take each picture is solely on you.  Having a digital camera with the option already is a great idea.

But, DONT GO OUT and buy a Digital Camera with the timelapse option in it.  Unless of course if you insist.

I use a webcam which is attached to my Computer via usb.  I attached my webcam to my Blinds so that I could record the weather. 

NOT EVERY WEBCAM will come with Software so that you can take a photo automatically every 1-60 seconds with your webcam.  Keep in mind when I do timelapse, I set the Webcam and forget it. 

Your options for a software application to take the photos for you is endless.  For myself, I wanted to find Free Open source applications. 

Here is what I found.    You can use Booru Webcam http://www.booru.net/download.html  or Perios http://perios.ic.cz/  although perios didnt work for my machine which is vista. 

Basically what you need to figure out is what you want to focus on.  For Clouds I typically set the interval for 10 seconds and after about 6 hours I have around 3000 images which will make a 3 minute video with a frame rate of 15 frames per second. 

For support with these applications please ask the Creator.  They are pretty straight forward.  Just remember if you use Booru to click options and for Filename use “nameyouwant%i”  the “%i” will make it so that it will save every image made with a count.  Such as if you use “image%i” the first image will be named “image1″ and then the second “image2″ and so on. 

THE SECOND STEP……  Making your Movie…….

So now you got a ton of photos in a folder and you want to make a movie.  This is the funnest part cause soon your gonna see what you worked so hard for.  Again I focused on the free open source options for an application. 

There are not many free open source applications.  On my research I found alot which moved more towards a slideshow movie rather than a fast paced movie which is timelapse. 

MAKEAVI http://makeavi.sourceforge.net/ is a neat and simple little program which does the job very quickly and the results are great.  There is also JPGVIDEO http://www.snapfiles.com/get/jpgvideo.html which is also a great option.

Keep in mind that you will need what we call a Codec in the movie making world.  I wont go into specifics but basically a codec will make a video that is around 5 minutes long about 20 megabytes.  If you dont use a Codec a 5 minute video can get up to several hundred megabytes which is aggravating if you want a quick upload to your website or video sharing site.

I reccommend the DIVX codec found at http://www.free-codecs.com/download/DivX_Free.htm  I can also suggest the XVID codec as well. 

When you load either MAKEAVI or JPGVIDEO just load your folder of Photos.  Set your Frame Rate or FPS to whatever you choose.  I suggest you experiment with different numbers.  Just remember,  the Lower the slower and the higher the faster.  I use 15 fps. 

Once youve set your FPS just hit “create or go” and select your codec and hit okay and within a few moments you will have a new timelapse video. 

Review your video to make sure its what you want and then Upload to your website or video sharing website and let millions see what you have made. 

I bought a new webcam recently and cant wait for an active day to test it out.  Since I made my first timelapse video I was absolutely hooked.  It is soo neat to see a day of weather in 5 minutes.  You can even add a soundtrack to make the video even more exciting.  Just make sure you dont use copyrighted material.  I use Audioswap on Youtube. 

If you have any questions feel free to ask by Contacting me using the Contact http://www.severeidaho.com/contact.php form or Registering and leaving a Comment. 

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see the Timelapse videos you make.  Thanks…

-gerrit

-gerrit

Slight chance for thunderstorms on this day. I started the timelapse at 7am and went till 8pm. Minor convection occured while the cold front moved into Eastern Idaho as you can see. Currently at 9pm there is scattered showers. Thunderstorm Potential Rises for the 22nd here and will be doing another video. Stay Tuned.

There was a better chance for thunderstorms today. I woke up around 10am and started the Camera. Went outside to see tons of cloud cover and figured the chances were slim to none. Ended up getting a thunderstorm around 12pm with very tiny hail. Some were almost 1/4 inch thick. The storm passed to the Northeast and then heavy showers came in and then the rain turned to snow. The snow was heavy and accumulated close to a half inch within 30 minutes. The snow ended around 1-2pm and then just became mostly cloudy. Currently at 9pm there is a mix of rain and snow and accumulations could reach 1-3 inches of snow overnight into tommorow morning.

SPC doesnt have an outlook for this weekend for our area yet but I imagine an Outline with at least a “See Text” wording but dont see this as a definite scenario. None the less,  Spring will be in full swing and I am excited. 

Stay Tuned….

-gerrit