One of the cooler planes on display at the 2009 Selfridge Air Show was a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress but it really didn't present well for photos (it was really facing the wrong way for the sun and there were alway people walking in the bomb bay and wheel wells). So when the fisheye came out I tried one with that. The Stratofortress looked much different this way.
Wandering around after the trip to Nankin-Mills we hit the Westland Historical Park in search of more cool images. In their carriage house was a beautiful 1919 Ford Fire Engine. As best we tried we didn't get much in the may of good images, but this was my favorite.
The Southern Pacific 4449 came in from the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation to join the Pere Marquette 1225 at the Train Festival 2009. Though the weather wasn't very good (cloudy and rainy), the turn-out seemed pretty good and our photography obscured by the throngs of people hovering around the locomotives. The SP4449 had made a couple runs over the last two days and picked-up from branches in the process. The crew was out cleaning off that debris and the soot as the guests toured the cab. Unfortunately the PM1225 was cold as they ran into a mechanical issue and decided to bench the 400-ton locomotive.
The Yankee Air Museum flew in a few planes for the 2009 Selfridge Air Show. They also flew their B-25 Mitchell and C-47 Skytrain for the spectators. They did a couple of bombing passes with the B-25, but of course didn't drop anything. The explosions were all courtesy of a team on the ground. It was wonderful seeing these old birds flying. I think I'll have to make a serious effort to get out to the museum next year for their air show.
Right after dinner at Nick's we heard a train (horns are banned in Durand) revving up. Of course we all ran for the cameras and joseph645 chased after the engines as they backed into the yard to pick-up their coal train.
The Delta N610DL Boeing 757 is the carrier's Breast Cancer Awareness plane and has been making appearances at air shows. I spotted at the 2009 Selfridge Air Show and took the cockpit tour. About the only shot in the cockpit I grabbed and liked was this set of breakers for the weather radar. It was still very overcast and I had considered checking the weather radar off the iPhone when we were invited up. I never did check the radar though.
At one time Birmingham Michigan had a nice train station. Today it's a brewpub and the station is a bus stop along the tracks a few yards south with only about four parking spots. That seems a little silly for a stop that usually has at least twice that number getting off the trains from Chicago (three to and three from) daily.
The Delta N610DL Boeing 757 is the carrier's Breast Cancer Awareness plane and has been making appearances at air shows. I spotted at the 2009 Selfridge Air Show and took the cockpit tour. What I really found interesting though was that they were inviting guests to step-up in the engine. It was an opportunity many families couldn't escape.
During the 2009 Selfridge Air Show I spotted this USAF Boeing KC-10A Extender. I took the tour of the plane (minus the cockpit as I didn't want to waste that much time in line) and only shot this section of the plane.
Wandering around after the trip to Nankin-Mills we hit the Westland Historical Park in search of more cool images. Their pride is a beautiful Octagon house which was really enjoyed. In the living room were some wonderful lamps with these great lamp shades.
Drie and I headed out to Lansing for Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk, our first organized Photowalk. As we approached the rear entrance of the Capitol building the view was obscured by this State Properties Patrol Vehicle. I liked the contrast though and decided to play with it a little. I never got what I wanted, but this was fun.
While in Durand waiting for the Southern Pacific 4449to pass through, we opted to perform our own photowalk around town. About the only thing I grabbed that I liked was this shot of the quiet yard as it also waited for the excitement of a steam locomotive, and for a coal train to be picked up.
We took a little trip to Nankin-Mills for a little photo outing on the morning of the eighth. With the rain we were limited to the museum (our first trip into the museum) to get what we could there. Right at the entrance they had a nice little nature exhibit with some stuffed animals. We worked those for a little while before moving on.
Of course when we're out shooting we must grab photos of each other when the time is right. Tonight the time was right as Lawrence of Berkley paused between shots with his 16mm lens. Soon after the rain started so we beat a hasty retreat to the car, but we had a blast till then.
Lawrence of Berkley and I made a quick trip the Sunday before the Woodward Dream Cruise to the intersection of Woodward Ave. and Thirteen Mile Rd. in Royal Oak Michigan. Our hope was to get some of the beautiful old cars in the fading sun and before the storms rolled in. Shortly after we arrived though the owners and spectators both started to scurry away as the lightning grew near. This old Buick happened to be stopped at the light though giving us the chance to grab a couple frames before it turned onto the Avenue.
Thanks to ssx213 for spotting that this is a 1954 Buick.
One of my favorite locations leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise is the corner of Woodward Avenue and Thirteen Mile Road. A few cars park in the shopping center lot to show off while their owners sit along the sidewalks to walk the Cruisers blow by. From here we can usually get some great shots.
The Woodward Dream Cruise brings out all sorts of car and their enthusiasts. With this year's event being this weekend we've had a number of the classic cars parading around for more than a week. This 1965 Impala SS was parked only a couple miles away from the avenue looking for a new home. I'm interested more in the older vehicles though and didn't find many of those parked last Sunday.
While in Durand for the arrival of Southern Pacific 4449 we had a little rain. joseph645 borrowed a disposable orange poncho (which we've had in the Element for a good two years and used about 5-6 times) to shelter him and the camera from the rain. Fortunately it never came down hard and stayed maybe a little more heavy than a dizzle. He had brought a ladder with him to get some better shots and seemingly to pick-up a little extra wind.
Wandering around after the trip to Nankin-Mills we hit the Westland Historical Park in search of more cool images. Through the homes they have old product boxes which kept grabbing my attention. Most didn't turn out, but this one from the Octagon house's kitchen seems to have worked well.
We took a little trip to Nankin-Mills for a little photo outing Saturday morning. With the rain we were limited to the museum (our first trip into the museum) to get what we could there. On the second floor of the mill is the head of the hydro-electric turbine. They had this little exhibit to allow human generation of power to run either a compact florescent or incandescent bulb. Very enlightening.
Every hour at the Train Festival 2009 the Little River 110 pulls a short passenger train around Owosso, Michigan. While at the platform we had the chance to try grabbing some photos. Most of what we tried to get were close-ups as the crowds kept getting in the way.
While in Durand, Michigan to witness the Southern Pacific 4449passing through, we stopped for dinner at a local place called "Nick's Hometown Grill." Of course we brought our cameras to the table, wisely not snapping while anyone was eating. I'm not sure what the conversation was about, but DNO_Dennis pointing at joseph645 just seemed such a cool shot.
After a few requests for prints of some of my work I decided to try RedBubble service. It took some time to get set-up, but it was an easy process. I'll look forward to hearing from the first of the customers to find out what the print quality is like but haven't purchased a print myself yet.
Drie and I headed out to Lansing for Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk, our first organized Photowalk. The light was such that the best lit view of the state capitol was actually the back entrance where the tours enter. We approached from that angle too through the mall between many of the state offices. I felt obligated to try a shot of the Capitol from this vantage but didn't find anything really appealing.
The Leviathan 4-4-0 No. 63 made it's first public appearance at the Train Festival 2009 in Owosso, Michigan. This is the newest steam locomotive having been just completed earlier this month. Though it was inspired by the locomotives of the Golden Spike Ceremony, this new 0-4-0 is powered by oil rather than wood or coal. This was the first opportunity I had to see the impressive locomotive. Sadly with the mass of people I couldn't get the photos I'd have liked to grab.
Adalay, Lawrence of Berkley, and joseph645, and DNO_Dennis headed up to Durand, Michigan Sunday afternoon to witness the arrival of the Southern Pacific 4449. By the time the train finally turned and headed for Owosso the sun had set so I cranked up the ISO and got what I could. I thought this looked best in black and white.
Drie and I headed out to Lansing for Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk, our first organized Photowalk. This was on the left side of the State Capitol building and one of the best metaphors I think I've seen for a lack of public access to government.
Adalay, Lawrence of Berkley, and joseph645, and DNO_Dennis headed up to Durand, Michigan Sunday afternoon to witness the arrival of the Southern Pacific 4449. She arrived a little later than expected but thanks to te Twitter updates from the crew we knew where she was for most of the trip.
It was getting late and we were waiting for the Southern Pacific 4449 to turn and head out to Owosso. Many of us were just standing on the crossing at Main Street set-up and waiting for the train to finish its move. Lawrence of Berkley busied himself keeping joseph645's ladder from moving for some of that roughly hour long wait.
I was poking around the net one afternoon when I discovered the PhotoBlog. Well, this is a great concept! I must have one! Well, now I have one. Enjoy.
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