A Flipped Airport Today

EVA Air Cargo's 747-400 headed to Anchorage for re-fueling.

Takeing off on 36L at DFW International. This would be 18R normally

Eating Up a lot of Runway--Loaded with fuel. It's a long way to Asia!

It's always a big disappointment to visit Founder's Plaza at DFW International when the airport is flipped and the planes are landing on Runways 35 and 36 rather than their other ends, 17 and 18. When ATC has the planes landing on 3- 35s and 2- 36s, they are at the far south end of the airport. The only hope one has at a good view with a reasonable lens is limited to 747's--the most graceful bird that  flies. Watching one land is a ballet in slow motion.

 In times past, I have watched  them hit the 10 mile marker and take forever and a day it seems to reach the threshold of the runway they are assigned for landing. Of course once they hit that one point where they are equal with you in line of site, there 180 knots makes the landing end in seconds. It's that old Physics thing that comes into play. However, the take off can  generate excitement for a photographer as that huge aluminum tube with wings and wheels rotates on the runway and takes to the air coming at you as its engines whine and the big bird climbs out to its departure control  altitude in the TRACOM before being handed off to Ft. Worth Center. The problem with a flipped airport is that the big Heavys during the day are limited in departures to mostly the cargo carriers and limited passenger departures during the day.

Today, there was just one opportunity to get a good photo shot of a departing 747. There were only two arrivals and of course, they came in on the one of the 3-35s which are on the east side of the terminals nearly two miles aways from the 2- 36 runways. The 2-crosswind runways had no traffic today.

Thank goodness, the weather was excellent. Over night, the winds are forecast to switch to the south and the airports in the Metroplex will be back to the normal flight rules again. Here are a few shots from the afternoon.

It Has Become A Cliche.....

From the lower walk looking upward

Free Wheelin by LaPaso

The lawn amphitheater.

The City of Dallas has three sculptures in the park. These signs from the Office of Cultural Affairs identifies the work and the artist. 

From the bridge at the Lake Highland Dart Station looking south. The walk connects both sections. The visible bridge is Walnut Hill Lane

A Dart Rail Train can be seen in the background. Next stop: White Rock Lake Station. 

But it's true in this case. "if you build it, they will come."












About three years ago,maybe four, the bulldozers arrived and started tearing down a large apartment complex that had been built sometime in the late 60's or early 70's. Then the heavy equipment arrived and started digging down and down and down along a creek that  ran through the property. Slowly,the site was transformed into an amazing walkway along the creek with high stone walls, beautifully crafted steel ornamental fence work, lights,water fountains, drinking fountains, benches,overlooks,a split-level lake with individual fountains and a rock-boulder dam separating the two.

There are two stairways that take you upward to a  more grade level-street level that is also landscaped with fountains, and  a lawn amphitheater.

Least anyone forget, this is a residential and retail development. What has made this so different is that the park setting was created first, then allowed to sit and settle before the first builders showed up.  But, as was said in a movie filmed in an Iowa corn field: "If you build it, they will come." These are a few shots of the new Lake Highland Center.

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.

Fair Park is Much More than Elitch Gardens--Maybe.

The Entrance to the Midway for the Summer Opening

Plastiki on display in front of the Hall of State Building

The new Top O'Texas on the left of the Texas Star.Actually, it's behind the Texas Star.

The Cotton Bowl with a crane still in place from my last trip to Fair Park.

One of the many Art Deco Buildings at Fair Park.

Swan paddle boats at Swan Lake on the lagoon.

Fair Park, this Friday night, May 3rd, kicks off something it has never done.It will open the midway for the summer on Saturday, May 4th.. The new ride, Top O' Texas, the 500 foot observatory up and down wheel will give a view of Fair Park and surrounding areas, including downtown Dallas.

It has long been an unanswered question why the City of Dallas has quasi-turned its back on Fair Park in favor of the Trinity River Corridor Project. Sure, they have pumped a few million bucks into Fair Park upgrades, when the place could be drawing in tons of convention dollars nearly year round and  there is so  much more to Fair Park than just the Cotton Bowl. Don't get me wrong. I have etchings on my heart for the Cotton Bowl, the old parades that were a Thanksgiving-- or was it Christmas-- tradition. It was the emerald of the jeweled crown that the city had with Fair Park.

Many years ago, Elitch Gardens  in Denver, was a fun summer place to go. That was, before the original EG moved from its historic home of 38th and Tennyson Street. It was between the old Stapelton Airport and downtown. At approximately 70 acres, the park was a major attraction when you visited Denver. You had not been to Denver unless you went to Elitch Gardens. Long story short, with many ownership changes over the years including an ownership under the Six Flags brand, it has managed to survive with a 20 acre water park but not like the crowds of the old park. By-the-way folks, Elitch Gardens opens its 2013 season on May 4th also.

Yesterday, I walked the entire length of Fair Park's approximately 177 acres down one side and back along the lagoon and IMAX building to the parking area east of gate entrance no.5 which is across from the Texas Discovery Gardens. I'm thinking to myself, Music Hall is full for a performance, a flea market is going on, the Old Mill Restaurant has a good size crowd, people are coming out of the Discovery Gardens. The city ownes water parks. Why don't they have one at Fair Park? Amid all the questions that were left unanswered was the most pressing question: Will Fletcher's be selling their corny dogs,too?

 

Dallas on the World Stage--Again!

SAM 29000 parked at a FBO at Love Field

The fleet of 5 helicopters returns from Waco and West,Texas

A Dallas Policeman prevents well-wishers from getting to the better picture spots this time.

A beast of beauty

Good Bye until Next Trip

The dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, on the campus of Southern Methodist University, was a success for all concerned. With all five living Presidents in attendance and a long and impressive dignitary list, security was tight. The event was by Event Ticket and Invitation only.
Even the protest gallery across Central Expressway from the event had a national television personality in their group.

The activity and security around Love Field was also tighter than in the past when Air Force One or SAM 29000 has been in town. It's never as much fun when security must be tightened but it is still exciting to see the most visible form of our government either arriving,parked or departing the field.

At Love Field, the crowds grew while waiting for the fleet of helicopters to return from Waco and West, Texas. The arrival was a bit late but just short of the seven o'clock hour, the 747's four big engines kicked up dust on the runway as it rotated and lifted off  and began its climb out in the glare of an early springs setting sun.










 

The Bush Center Opens Thursday

The West Side is the entrance to the Bush Institute. The North Side is the entrance to the library.  The tall building to the East and at the south end is the Merrill Lynch building just North of Mockingbird Station  on the East side of Central Expressway.

The landscaping is native Texas wildflowers. To the South there are several acres with winding paths that allow one to walk through the large garden.

From an architectural standpoint, the addition fulfills the general theme of SMU architecture.The red brick and white coping doesn't seem out of place with the construction of several new 5-story dorms across the street.

The George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Bush Institute open this Thursday on the eastern side of the SMU campus. Security was already tight today and the massive stage for the 15,000 guest only who are forecast to be in attendance were being set up.
It is being reported that there will be all five living US Presidents along with former British PM Tony Blair.The security will be tight and with invitation only for the guest, it's going to be difficult at best to even photograph from  Mockingbird.
Hopefully, later on in late Spring, maybe some images of the  large field of Texas Wildflowers will be able to be photographed.

The public will be admitted beginning May 1,2013.
 

It's Getting To Be That Time of Year Again

A White Rock Wedding by Glendine of Dallas

This is one of my favorite images because it is not only a beautiful setting, but because of the planning and the organizing and the great anticipation of love and joy, and happiness that is represented.

Click on the image for details on ordering this image as a print,framed or wrapped canvas.