Oh how good it is to know people that know people.  My friend, Annie, called to ask a favor.  In return, she would be able to get me on the tower at Boeing Field on the Sunday of Seafair.  Her friend, Reed, was king enough to allow me to tag along and the lift Annie needed hardly seemed that much of an effort when compared with getting to spend an afternoon on the tower walkways!  I have photographed at many locations around and on Boeing Field over the years but the tower just provides a better view of things.

The arrivals and departures of the performers are obviously the high points of being there but it is also great to get a different perspective on the airfield as a whole.  The stockpile of Boeing jets either in production flight test or stored awaiting a customer delivery is great to see from there.  Looking across the various ramps and hangar areas is also cool.  Even looking at the locations I might otherwise be occupying was fun.  Was I looking down on the other photographers?  Literally, yes.  Metaphorically, well probably yes too!!

I will post a variety of shots of specific performers in future entries but, in the meantime, here are some shots of a more general nature.  The team from the tower were very welcoming.  I spent quite a while chatting with the boss and hearing about the various things that they do.  I would love to go back and see the operations rather than just to photograph (although let’s not kid ourselves, photography from there is definitely welcome!).