It was a fun afternoon with sunshine and above seasonal norms at 64 F. The afternoon started with driving to City Place and finding a parking spot. With that done, my wait on the M-Line Trolley didn't take but about thirty minutes. When the tolley arrived, it was one of the subs that is being used while some of the old cars are being refurbished. It was not a problem at all. Regardless of what you ride, the ride is free. The coin box is used but for tips. Not every ride is but most of the trips end with a George Washington.
It was off for a fun ride down to Klyde Warren Park. When the park first opened my interest was very much pro-park and the success was overwhelming to say the least. However, over time, it because a park that just was not for me. There were to many restrictions and most of all, being a freelance photographer, unless you were "local media--meaning the TV stations and the Dallas Morning News," you could not sell your pictures commercially. Well, sales of that kind of pictures commercially don't happen any way. They are listed as "editorial use" and those are not considered commercial because of the limited use. Still, it is a bug that sticks in my craw and always will. It reminds me of high school days when the clicks at school ruled your every social move. The Dallas Morning News has their newspapers in the racks at the "reading room" in the park. That could explain some of the restricted postings. The other one is that if you purchase a permit, you can take pictures and even sell them commercially. (I've seen hundreds sold from there that way.) Still, it reminds me of a very bully click and this photographer wants no part of that bully what ever it is attitude. Freedom of the press does not apply at Klyde Warren unless you pay ( kind of like the bully collecting lunch money from the weak kids). So, walking the fringes (only) is the routine. Shooting from the street side and not on their property works best. Interestingly enough, fringe shots usually turn out better than if in the park itself.
After walking the 5-acre deck park from east to west on the south and then west to east on the north half the trolley would be back and time to ride back to McKinney and Allen to Big Al's to await the Clydesdale's arrival. Not knowing from which direction the hitch team would be coming, the late afternoon shadows were quickly moving in and even if the team is the world famous Clydesdale's from Budweiser's Farm in St. Louis, it was learned a long time ago, with purely respect, using a inboard or hot shoe flash is a no-no. And none was used.
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| Ironically, the hats are St. Louis Teams! And--the hover board has not burned up! Thanks guys for the picture. It was my pleasure! Enjoy. | | |
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| The lead pulls have a very genuine personality their very own. |
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| Sun set on a perfect weather day in late January from White Rock Lake |
When the motorcycle cops turned onto McKinney, it was only 20-30 yards before they pulled to a halt for pictures with well-wishers and first-timers seeing such a beautiful team. Then, like a swarm of bees defending a hive, people with iPhone were holding their arms above the crowds and no one could get a picture. Actually, for a moment the thinking was that this is gonna get out of hand. One of the senior officers on the wagon had a somewhat worried look on his face, too.Still, a few good shots were had and that made the fun afternoon well worth the effort and time. Thanks In Bev Anheuser- Busch for bringing the beautiful animals to Dallas.
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