When Navy pilots of the Blue Angels team scream toward each other at close to 500 mph, crowds at the Miramar Air Show cheer and gasp, eyes glued to the skies.
Photographers using everything from 600mm behemoth lenses to smartphones sought to capture the rarest of shots — F/A-18s crossing paths in opposite directions.
Using a Nikon D7000 digital SLR set at F6.3 and 1/5000th second, the Times of San Diego stopped bullets in midair Saturday to achieve the above image. The jets were traveling about 700 feet per second.
- Related: Behold Robosaurus! Car-Eating Robot at Miramar Air Show
- Earlier: Rare Photo of Obama’s ‘Secret Handshake’ Was Coined Here First
For such split seconds of thrills, tens of thousands trekked miles from grass fields to bleachers and viewing areas. Within the Marine station, lanes of roads leading to the airfield were cordoned off to allow only pedestrian traffic.
Turnout was boosted Saturday thanks to forecasts — coming true — of Sunday showers.
Day 2 of the Miramar Air Show ended with a patriotic fireworks show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Breitling L-39 Jet Team from France entertained the crowd at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
A Navy diver plays tic-tack-toe with a young visitor at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Andrew Iglesias, 11, tries his hands at the pull-up challenge at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Breitling L-39 Jet Team from France entertained the crowd at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
A young boy shields his eyes from the sun as he watches the Blue Angels. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels’ C-130 “Fat Albert” performed from the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
The Breitling L-39 Jet Team from France entertained the crowd at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel pilot Nate Barton signs an autograph after Saturday’s performance. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel pilot Matt Suyderhoud meets with a Evan Trejo, who was dressed in a flight suit. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel event coordinator Corrie Mays talks to a young admirer. Photo by Chris Stone
Sean D. Tucker and his Oracle Challenger maneuver in the sky at the Miramar Air Show. Phto by Chris Stone
Sean D. Tucker and his Oracle Challenger maneuver in the sky at the Miramar Air Show. Phto by Chris Stone
The Shockwave Jet Truck roars down the runway during the night show of Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
A U.S. Army Golden Knight lands right on the “x” landing spot during the night performance of the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
U.S. Army Golden Knights free fall during the initial stage of their jump. Photo by Chris Stone
A U.S. Army Golden Knight makes his descent during the night show of the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
F-35B Lightning II ascends at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels perform at the 2015 Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The crowd applauds Sean D. Tucker’s performance at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Robosaurus delighted the crowd at the night show of the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Dan Buchanan’s Power Glider left a trail of pyrotechnics during the night performance of the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels perform at the 2015 Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
A young boy strains during a pull-up challenge at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels perform at the 2015 Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The AV-8B Harrier shows its hovering capabilities. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel pilots advance to their jets. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels performed for the Miramar Air Show Saturday. Photo by Chris Stone
The Shockwave Jet Truck roars down the runway during the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators watch intently as the Blue Angels perform. Photo by Chris Stone
A young boy plays with his toy F/A-18 jet as he waits for the real Blue Angels to perform. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels performed for the Miramar Air Show Saturday. Photo by Chris Stone
The new F-35B Lightning II ascends at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The grandstands were packed Saturday as spectators enjoy a sunny day at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Blue Angels performed for the Miramar Air Show Saturday. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel pilots, one upright and one inverted, make a mirror image. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue Angel jets make a close flyby over the center of the tarmac. Photo by Chris Stone
Two Blue Angel jets seem as one as they make a close pass in the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone
The Breitling L-39 Jet Team from France entertained the crowd at the Miramar Air Show. Photo by Chris Stone