Bombardier Snowcoaches

Leave a Reply

I posted pictures of the snowcoaches in use within Yellowstone but I left one type out.  This appears to be the original design for snowcoahces and they are known as the Bombardier’s.  I assume this is because the Canadian manufacturer of snowmobiles was involved in their creation.  They have a cool body styling and they can get up some serious speed.  However, I understand that they are cold and rather uncomfortable.  Therefore, I was happy to watch some passing by rather than ride in them (although it might be fun to see how fast they really are).

Sands 747SPs

Leave a Reply

It’s always interesting to see what is at the Sands ramp at McCarran.  The flight of luxury jets for bringing in the high rollers to play at the casino is a mix of types.  Some “normal” Gulfstream, an A340-500 and the Boeing 747SP.  I was delighted to see that two SPs were parked up on the ramp the morning I was there.  Seeing them move was a bit much to ask but getting them in some lovely light immediately after sunrise was a good alternative.

Blowing Glass

Leave a Reply

I have had a recent post about blowing glass from the hot shop at Tacoma.  Prior to that visit, though, we made a trip to the Chihuly Museum in Seattle.  Out in the garden, they have a small hot shop set up based around an Airstream trailer.  They were demonstrating some glass blowing techniques to the visitors and I wandered around looking to get some shots.  It was already pretty dark by the time we were watching so it was a bit tricky getting some shots.  Moreover, the intense contrast between the glow from the ovens and the dim external lighting made things harder to balance.  I just played around to see what I could get.

Dutch KDC-10

Leave a Reply

There were two tankers I was hoping to shoot at Red Flag.  One was the Colombian 767.  It didn’t fly on the first day but on the second it started to taxi before returning to the ramp and shutting down.  Never mind.  The other was the Dutch KDC-10.  I hadn’t shot one before and they are not likely to be in service for too much longer so this might have been my last chance.  Therefore, I hoped it would fly and it didn’t let me down.

The winds were strong on the first day and it departed towards us off 21L.  As soon as it was airborne, the nose cocked into the strong crosswind and it turned towards us.  A right turn overhead and it was on its way to the ranges.  When it returned, they went for a very impressive curving approach.  It looked great.  However, it wasn’t great from a flying perspective and a go around followed.  The second approach was more conventional and more successful.

On the second day they flew again.  This time the arrivals were from over the Speedway so a more traditional view of them coming in.  I was hoping for a go around and a tight circuit to land but that was a tad optimistic.  Maybe after the previous day they were more content to get the beast back on the ground.

Hot Pools Hide Themselves

Leave a Reply

The colorful pools of hot springs in Yellowstone can be quite stunning to see.  Visiting in the deep of winter means they are surrounded with snow and ice but a lot less people.  The colors are still there but the low temperatures mean that clouds of steam form above the surface.  Gentle gusts of wind might briefly blow the steam away to reveal the intense colors beneath but the steam rapidly returns.  As you look into the pools you can see the colors well but it makes for a harder time getting photographs.  You give it a try but then just spend time enjoying the impressiveness of the pools.

Commercial Service Starts at Paine Field

Leave a Reply

SeaTac may be the main commercial airport for Seattle but there is now a second airport for mainline service.  Paine Field has opened its new terminal and commenced service.  I had a trip to make so decided to give it a go.  Not only is it closer to home but parking is cheaper and the prices for flights were pretty low.  Time to give it a go.

It took me a while to find the long stay parking.  The signage was useless.  When I returned to pick up my car, I noticed that they had added new signs and had people hanging around in the access roads asking if you needed help.  Could have done with them before.  Interestingly, when I returned to pick up the car, the long-term lot was marked as full.  Not sure how well that is going to work out.  They did have some additional parking under construction.

The terminal itself is very nice.  They were still debugging the check in systems at the Alaska desk when I got there.  The process of handing over my bag was a little confused but, since there were only two of us at the two desks, it wasn’t like there was a lengthy delay.  Similarly for the security line, while the website said there was TSA Pre, there wasn’t.  I had to remove all of my camera gear from the bags but, again not many people there so it was easy to get done quickly.

There are two gates in the terminal itself.  I never saw more than one plane on a gate at a time but, as other airlines start service, I imagine it will be a bit busier.  There were sections of the waiting area that were empty for now so it has the ability to cope with more people.  The gate area itself is very nice.  Comfortable chairs and nice decorations, combined with a bar make it feel more like a dining location than an airport.  Very cozy.  There was a Beecher’s Cheese location apparently under construction which might be good for a snack when it opens soon.

The services were being operated by Embraer E175-E1s.  There were plenty of ground staff to deal with the flights.  There seemed to be loads of them and, with plenty of time between the flights, they didn’t seem over taxed.  However, I suspect there was still a lot of training underway – hence the excess staff.  Loading didn’t take long and then it was off to the runway, past the Boeing flight line and then departure.  I found it a great way to get a flight and, with a surprising number of destinations available, I hope to use it more.  It is certainly more convenient for me than SeaTac.

Cherry Blossoms at UW

Leave a Reply

Spring is springing in the northwest and that means lots of trees in blossom.  The University of Washington campus has cherry trees in the Quad that were gift from the Mayor of Tokyo in the early 20th century.  When they come in to bloom, it is a popular attraction.  We went a little early in the day but the place was already heaving with people.  I had gone with the thought of taking the tripod and getting multiple shots to blend in post and average out the individuals to hopefully result in a cleaner shot.

I quickly realized that this was not going to be possible.  There are so many people there in so many places that having any time with a clean background is unlikely.  I had shots a few shots but decided this was going to be futile.  You need to have enough time with clear space for each element of the shot and that was not going to happen.

Instead, I focused on a) enjoying the scene and b) getting a few different shots to either isolate the blossoms and trees to to show just how crowded it was.  The number of people there was interesting in itself.  Most were there to enjoy the trees but there were some who were using it is a backdrop for their own pictures.  People in flowing gowns were being photographed and we came across a ballet dancer who was having her picture taken while adopting various poses that I don’t think I could achieve.

It was both fun to see the trees, enjoyable to see people enjoying the trees and frustrating to see how many individuals couldn’t help themselves but grab the trees.  Plenty of signs asked people not to climb on trees and grab branches but a few were always doing so.  I guess some people are just dopes.

777X Prepping for Flight

Leave a Reply

The 777X will make its first flight before too long.  Indeed, it might happen before this post goes live but we shall see.  It was due to have a roll out at Everett but that was toned down due to the ongoing Max issues.  Instead, it rolled out to the flight line where it has been in prep for first flight.  (We will get low and high speed taxi runs first of course.  I wonder whether I will be able to get up there for the flight or not.). I have seen it parked on the ramp at Boeing’s center.  From across the field, it is visible but subject to a lot of heat haze.  From the other side of the field it is closer but the view is a bit obstructed.  I saw it in the hangar during a previous tour but now it is out and in Boeing house colors.  This is a 777-9 version and the folded wing tips are clear to see.

The Raiders’ New Home

Leave a Reply

Across from McCarran airport is a construction site.  While plenty remains to be done, it is easy to see that this is the new home of the Oakland Raiders (not Oakland for much longer).  We drove right by it on the interstate but I had no way of photographing it then.  However, I did get a shot of the structure from the airport parking lot.  I wonder what it will look like when it is finished?  Can it be as impressive as the new stadium in LA?

Been a While Since I Saw a BOAC Jet

Leave a Reply

When I was very young, BOAC still existed but it was soon merged in to British Airways.  I remember model kits being for BOAC jets and I have seen some preserved aircraft in BOAC colors.  As part of British Airways’ 100th year celebrations, they have painted up four airframes in legacy colors.  The first to appear was a 747-400 in the BOAC scheme.  I saw a bunch of shots of it online and was keen to see it for myself.  It appeared on the schedule for an evening arrival at SeaTac so I made sure to be down there.

They were making a southerly flow that day and the evening is not a good time for that approach path as there are few locations to get good shots.  However, I was “lucky” in that it was a crummy day for weather.  The water tower location would normally have been horribly backlit but, since there was no sun, it might just do.  I did get the shots and, by virtue of shooting quite heavily overexposed and then pulling back in post, I was able to get something I was reasonably pleased with.

I did really want the sun though and, not two weeks later, the jet was back on the SeaTac run.  Again the evening arrival but this time it was sunny and the flow was northerly.  This provides some opportunities for getting the iconic SeaTac arrival shot with Mt Rainier in the background.  I was certainly not alone as she came down the approach nicely illuminated by the evening light.  Thank goodness for time changes and being done with work by then!