News Camera Getting Naked

Shooting a live shot in the rain in Stockton with KCRA reporter Rich Ibarra last Thursday, March 24, 2011.

I can’t remember how long it’s been since I put the rain cover on my news camera. Between the rain and the snow, it’s been needing all the protection against the elements it can get.

Retro Camera rain tree in Colfax, California. Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Day after day has looked like this. I was beginning to think of adding a snorkel to the rain pains and coat.

I've been keeping it half on/half off like this for months. Just when you think the clouds are gone you turn around and you're standing in a puddle.

But today — the rain coat came off! The long awaited sun broke out and I even found myself taking off my Levi jacket and getting some sun on the arms.

KCRA reporter Davie Bienick doing an interview in the sun across from the Capitol dome. Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

With the snow pack in the mountains at 150% of normal, Governor Jerry Brown today called an official end to the three-year drought. I wish he’s announced this a month ago — maybe he would have chased March’s storm clouds away.

This is the kind of sky to wake up to. What a difference a few days make.