YUP! That's me!
This picture was taken over Perris Airport (L65 1413' 33 45.6N 117 12.0W), Perris California (near Lake Elsinore, in Southern California). The runway is 33-15 and in this picture 33 is toward the top. You are looking roughly North-north west from the South-south east.

The picture was taken by a photographer in the doorway of a Dehaviland aircraft. I was jumping from about 3,000 feet (~900m).
This was my first jump. It was a static line jump (as you can tell from the static line leaving the pack [red streamer]). It is a solo jump (no instructor went out with me). I'm jumping with a full canopy (not a para-wing) which is controlled by risers. The 'chute was a WWII chute. It took a VERY long time to open!

The long white building near the midpoint of the runway was the packing barn, where the parachutes are folded and packed. if you continue north (toward the top of the picture) you will see a orange colored aircraft; continuing north is a string of aircraft (to the left and above the large orange craft). The very last aircraft in the line (topmost aircraft in picture) was my very own personal airplane (which I have since sold). A 1976 Cherokee Warrior, which was painted red, white and blue with stars on the tail. This was the bicentennial color scheme used on all 1976 Warriors built by Piper Aircraft Company. I flew in around 0800 PST and was jumping by 1300 PST. I flew home that evening to clear skies and stars, parked my airplane, got on my KZ-1000 motorcycle and rode home. I was back to teaching flying at Long Beach airport the next morning. In case your curious, I don't do this anymore! It is thrilling! But it isn't very satisfying! And it doesn't capture the wonder and imagination like a clear shot of M51!

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