Hyakuri Pano

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Rob


Any visit to a base includes time when nothing much is going on.  This can be time to take a break, have a snack, text someone an update on how things are going or even nap.  Or, you can take panoramas.  In the morning the light on the ramp was not ideal.  It improved later in the day.  Even so, you never know how much stuff is going to be out at any one time so shoot while you can.  You can always delete later.  Here is a zoomable and pannable pano from Hyakuri.

Posted in aircraft, military, photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dahlia Collection

Posted on September 23, 2018 by Rob

The Rose Garden in Point Defiance Park was a feature but there weren’t only roses.  They also had a dahlia section.  Nancy loves dahlias so we checked this out.  The variety of these blooms was almost as good as it was for the roses!

Posted in Pacific Northwest | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Narita Lounge Provides Some New Airlines

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Rob

It was time to head home, so I checked in for my flight and headed to Delta’s lounge to await boarding.  What I did not realize is that the lounge overlooks the flightline and mirrors the view from the viewing terrace.  It was a crummy day with a typhoon approaching so not ideal for shooting and certainly not ideal for shooting through glass but, despite the occasional reflection, it was actually surprisingly good.  The battery on the camera was on its last legs but why not get whatever you can.

The fun of a different city in a different country is the new airlines.  Airlines I have heard of but not seen and airlines I have never heard of at all.  They kindly would rotate quite close to where we were which was appreciated.  The rainy conditions also meant that, while the lighting was pretty flat, there were vortices, spluff over the wings and inlet fogging to add some interest.

Posted in aircraft, civil, photo, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Level Crossings in the City

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Rob

The number of train routes in Tokyo is substantial and the lines run through many of the neighborhoods.  Having been there for a long time, the towns have grown up around them.  Roads cross them on back streets and there are footpaths that cross the tracks too.  As I walked up to Shinjuku, I cross the tracks at one of these crossings.

Making the crossing was not a problem but you did need to pay attention.  The track was double and the trains came every couple of minutes.  When the alert sounded, a sign accompanied it with an arrow showing the direction the train was going.  This was very helpful in ensuring you didn’t think the train had gone and you could start to cross only to find a train coming the other way.  I actually had to wait for three trains as, by the time the second train had passed, a third was coming from the original direction.  They really do come that often.  Looking up to the station, I could see a train in the platform with another one slowing as it approached the station.  Trains really are the dominant form of transportation in Tokyo from what I saw.

Posted in photo, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now It Is Raining Avantis – Well, Not Quite

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Rob

Having made the effort one lunchtime to go and see an Avanti, I was quite surprised to see another one taxi out at Paine Field during Skyfair.  It was a different airframe and it looked rather special.  A bit of the distinctive Avanti whine and it was on its way.

Posted in aircraft, civil, corporate, Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tacoma Narrows Bridges

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Rob

Ask any engineering student about famous bridges and the Tacoma Narrows has a great chance of coming up.  The original bridge failed pretty spectacularly due to aeroelastic issues.  It was replaced and the bridge has stood since without significant issues other than overcrowding.  Consequently, a second Bridge was added a few years ago.  The pair span the narrows and provide a roadway for the busy local traffic.

The hike around Point Defiance Park takes you out onto the overlooks the narrows and, as you move along the trail, you get differing views of the bridges.  The further south you get in the park, the clearer the view is of the whole span.  I grabbed a few shots of the water and the bridges and also shot some closer shots to make a pano when I got home.

Posted in Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Accidentally Getting Lufthansa’s New Livery

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Rob

Lufthansa changed their livery recently.  It was not universally appreciated and I can’t say I disagree.  It really is rather dull.  I hadn’t even bothered to keep an eye on whether it was on a jet coming to Seattle.  Instead, while out in Federal Way, I saw a 747 heading my way so decided to take a couple of shots.  Turns out it was the new colors (or lack thereof).  Soon it will be a common sight as they repaint the fleet but this was my first encounter.

Posted in aircraft, civil, Pacific Northwest, photo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This Thing is Too Big

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Rob

This wasp was hanging around on one of the towers when I was at Hyakuri.  It was a rather meaty looking wasp and I figured it would not be a good thing to get on the wrong side of.  Wasps have a reputation for being bad tempered things and, whether this is true or not, I was keen to avoid finding out how this one felt.  I gave it a wide berth just to be sure.  Bees may be cute and useful but wasps just seem like they are going to bring trouble.

Posted in photo, Travel, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

F-4 Bi-Plane

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Rob

These Phantoms were taxiing towards me from the ramp and they headed out to depart.  As the came along the taxiway, I got a moment as they started to merge from my position and, briefly, there was a moment when one was hidden behind the other with the exception of the wings.  For that second I had a Phantom bi-plane in front of me before the effect was gone.  I consider this the rare Phantom II/IV!

Posted in aircraft, military, photo, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Selection of Japanese Trains

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Rob

I know a few of the regulars here are interested in trains.  I saw a lot of different trains and rode on a few while I was in Japan so here are a selection of them for those of you that are interested.  Most of these were shot around Tokyo itself but I can’t tell you what sort of services most of them were used on.  I only rode on a few to get to airports or districts in the city.

Posted in photo, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment