A New Sign's First Ice Storm

The sign was being tested this afternoon. While out getting the gas tank filled before the ice storm, it was working but the ramps were marked closed. It's due to open almost any day now. While getting a shot of the sign, getting a shot of the electronic gear that will be focused on cars as they enter and exit was a give me.

It was 50 degrees colder today than yesterday and the wind was a major factor with the chill index. While making my return home from the gas station, Jim Cantore, of The Weather Channel was setting up for a live shot. I should have pulled in and got a shot of him but the wind would have been in my face and the decision to keep on going was made. Sorry bout that for you fans of Cantore. He's less than two miles from me at the present. I'm pretty sure he didn't mind that I didn't stop, though.

Right now as I write this, I have my toes and fingers crossed that there will be no power loss during this ice storm. If Dallas makes it through the night without any major power outages, hopefully, tomorrow morning, although cold, some shots of the ice, maybe!

Check out the new sign. It's going to be something new to get used to in the very near future that is different than the old HOV lanes that were free. These lanes will change price depending on the traffic flow, I'm told.

The prices are displayed as they change.

Look at all the cameras ! But look closely, they aren't all cameras. There are scanners and readers mixed in there. Next, look at the  pully system of cables  attached to the bank of cameras, scanners and readers. This is actually, pretty scary when it comes to privacy concerns.

This is the back side of the previous image. This one has got you as you drive with your back to it.  Spooky!! You can see a good example of the cable system, however.

Contrast In Seasons

Mercer Crossing Hay Field

Hay Bale at the edge of the road.

Native Texas Wildflowers surround bale of hay in field.

The annual hay crop at Mercer Crossing has long been understood as being one of the best in the area for photographers. In fact, several images are included in my portfolio. A couple of weeks ago, in passing, some of the bales were still in the fields and native Texas wildflowers were springing up around them. It occurred to me: what a contrast.

The fields are posted so any shots have to come from the streets or from the train tracks. Since the train tracks are the BNSF, they are posted as well. That clearly leaves two streets to shoot from. To make a long story short, a Farmers Branch Police cruiser ran me off because the owner of the property did not want anyone "trespassing on his property". Yielding to the judgment of the officer, I put away my cameras and equipment and left. So any photographers that shoot at Mercer Crossing should be aware and stay clear. There seems to be a move to kick us out like they did the remote control airplanes that once flew over the fields but landed and took off on the street.

Maybe that is one of the reasons the construction project slated for one of the plots of land fell through;to much opposition at a zone hearing,maybe?

Here are a few of the shots before being run away
This is my last trip here. As pretty as it is, it was the essence of nature in an urban setting to be captured in photos until today.