What IS this? (Page 2): Very likely a fast-flying bird or insect. At 1/160sec shutter speed, that's exactly how one would expect them to be rendered in an image.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Very likely a fast-flying bird or insect. At 1/160sec shutter speed, that's exactly how one would expect them to be rendered in an image.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

DirtFarmer wrote:

The object looks blurry along its length. That means it's traveling at a speed different than the chopper, which is doesn't show motion blur (other than the blades). So either something got dropped out of the chopper or there's something trying to intercept it.

I assume there is only one photo in the sequence so you can't look for it in another shot?

Shutter is 1/160 second. Could it be something going the other way? Nearby insect or bird?

Bird or bug?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

kb6kgx wrote:

About a year and a half ago, I was photographing a fire department helicopter on an incident near where I live, and when viewing the photos on the computer, I noticed a strange object or artifact in the frame, to the right of the helicopter. It's not dust on the lens or sensor. Looks like it is something that is "out there". There were no other aircraft in the air at that time, other than this helicopter.

Venusian El Chupacabra

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Looking at this in double DL, I can't see any cables or anything connecting this anomaly to the helicopter.
If this was connected, wouldn't it be going the same speed as the copter and not be blurred?
But, it does look like the classic edge-on view of a UFO.

will

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

burkphoto wrote:

Venusian El Chupacabra

They have those guys on Venus?

will

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Soul Dr. wrote:

Looking at this in double DL, I can't see any cables or anything connecting this anomaly to the helicopter.
If this was connected, wouldn't it be going the same speed as the copter and not be blurred?
But, it does look like the classic edge-on view of a UFO.

will

That's my thought, as well. But, of course, UFOs don't exist.

Or… DO they?????

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Considering it's a fire-fighting helicopter, my guess is it's an empty dip tank. This would account for its blurred appearance as it is dragged behind the helicopter and free to flutter about. It's about the correct distance behind, as well.

Additionally, you might contact the operating agency and ask about it there. Chances are you'll get far more accurate information that way.
--Bob

kb6kgx wrote:

About a year and a half ago, I was photographing a fire department helicopter on an incident near where I live, and when viewing the photos on the computer, I noticed a strange object or artifact in the frame, to the right of the helicopter. It's not dust on the lens or sensor. Looks like it is something that is "out there". There were no other aircraft in the air at that time, other than this helicopter.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

kb6kgx wrote:

That's my thought, as well. But, of course, UFOs don't exist.

Or… DO they?????

If it's flying and unidentified, isn't it a UFO?
Does it have to be an alien spaceship to be a UFO?

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

rmalarz wrote:

Considering it's a fire-fighting helicopter, my guess is it's an empty dip tank. This would account for its blurred appearance as it is dragged behind the helicopter and free to flutter about. It's about the correct distance behind, as well.
--Bob

If you look at the double DL, it doesn't appear to be something fluttering around.

will

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

rmalarz wrote:

Considering it's a fire-fighting helicopter, my guess is it's an empty dip tank. This would account for its blurred appearance as it is dragged behind the helicopter and free to flutter about. It's about the correct distance behind, as well.

Additionally, you might contact the operating agency and ask about it there. Chances are you'll get far more accurate information that way.
--Bob

No, it wouldn't be that. Los Angeles Fire Department helicopters all have fixed tanks attached to their undersides. They don't use "Bambi buckets", if that is what you're referring to. This doesn't look like that at all. But, I will take your suggestion and ask someone I know who is a former copter pilot for LAFD.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

Without knowing how far “out there” it is, how would you know how large/small it is? If it is a large object, is there an airport somewhere “out there” as well? If it’s a very small object, is there a baseball field nearby?
Just spittin’ in the wind here.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

FreddB wrote:

Without knowing how far “out there” it is, how would you know how large/small it is? If it is a large object, is there an airport somewhere “out there” as well? If it’s a very small object, is there a baseball field nearby?
Just spittin’ in the wind here.

No baseball field. The nearest airport is Van Nuys airport, roughly twelve miles to the east and this area is not in the usual flight path to or from this airport. This was a small fire in a canyon community. The helicopter would be flying at about 500 ft. above ground level. Doubtful anyone could toss a baseball bat that high :)

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

kb6kgx wrote:

No baseball field. The nearest airport is Van Nuys airport, roughly twelve miles to the east and this area is not in the usual flight path to or from this airport. This was a small fire in a canyon community. The helicopter would be flying at about 500 ft. above ground level. Doubtful anyone could toss a baseball bat that high :)

Well, then I’ll add my name to the consensus - you’ve got yourself a ufo 😃

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I have gotten blurred objects in my BIFs caused by insect photobombing me. They are in a totally different plane in the field of view so they become blurry. Especially when fast-moving.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

FreddB wrote:

Well, then I’ll add my name to the consensus - you’ve got yourself a ufo 😃

Maybe!