Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Who Owns the Night?

I saw a post on Facebook that the Ohio Air National Guard unit was doing night flying this week.  I was thinking of going Monday night but the spring ahead took a toll on me.  Then I was thinking I'd go last night but I was kept at work for a while, so that was out.  I figured I didn't want to miss it tonight.

I went to the spot I went last time.  I saw this plane start to taxi out, so I figured it wouldn't be long before it took off.  It was Cessna 310 that was heading up to Grand Rapids.
Shortly after that plane took off, I saw a couple other people with cameras head up closer to the fence, so I figured that the F-16s would be soon.  I was not disappointed.  I thought it was pretty cool that they took off on afterburners.  It was getting dark enough that I could see it.
That plane was followed by another.  Both were pretty loud which is why I assume they warn people they are doing this.
Next up was an Allegiant A320 on it's way to Punta Gorda.
The moon looked pretty cool.
This is a Beech F33A heading somewhere.
Then there was another group of F16s that took off.  Even though this picture is blurry, I kind of like it.
This one turned off the afterburners shortly after passing by.
Another one coming out.
And another.
And turns off to the south.  I'm not sure where they head after this but it was pretty cool to catch them.

I will have to remember this next month.

 


Sunday, March 10, 2024

My Continuing Quest for the White Wha...err, Owl

 I decided to go to see if I could see the snowy owl at Willow Run again tonight.  It was sunny enough but it was a bit on the windy side.  Therefore, I wasn't sure if I could see it.  Plus, there is a good chance he's decided to head back up to the Arctic.

No owls but I did see these turkeys.
I was kind of surprised he stuck around for pictures.  Usually they head for the woods as soon as I stop.
After a few trips around the airport and a trip to the other airport because I thought I could catch some planes on the 27s, I stumbled across a herd of deer.
Again, I was surprised at how long they stood around.  I thought they would beat feet for the woods.
I kind of like this shot.
And one more of a pair of deer with one being fairly vigilant.

I didn't catch the owl.  I'm coming to the conclusion that it probably isn't going to happen this season.  But I guess I will keep the knowledge that there was one at Willow Run this year.  Usually they return to the same area as before, so maybe I will see one next year.


Saturday, March 9, 2024

Searching for the Willow Run Owl

 I heard that there was a snowy owl hanging around at Willow Run.  Actually, I saw pictures of it.  Well at first, they were labeled as "Wayne County" and eventually someone spilled the beans.  I went looked around the other night.  I didn't see the owl then but I figured I would try again.

Before going to the spot for the owl, I thought I would get some pictures of the B-52 that is parked in front of the new Yankee Air Force hangar.
I think they have been trying to restore it but I also think it is when they have time and money project.
It still looks pretty cool.  I would like to get a picture in front of it like an older picture of me.
A closeup of the nose.
A closer view of the cockpit.
Pulled out.
A different angle for the cockpit.
A closeup of the engine.
I kind of went wandering around the airport.  There were a couple of ponds that were enough for ducks to swim around.
And I kind of like this shot.
Close to the area where the snowy owl supposedly hangs out, I saw this guy.
It is a red tailed hawk.
I figured since I wasn't going to get any owl pictures, I might as well take a few of him.
He landed for a little bit.
And then he was back up in the air.
Another shot of him gliding.
And one more of the hawk before heading off.


Monday, March 4, 2024

Istanbul not Constantinople

So I saw that I had a chance to catch an airline I've never see at Detroit before.  I have caught it at O'Hare a couple of times though.  The sun was shining and it was a nice night.

First up was an A350.
This one came all the way from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, France.
I've seen this flight and plane a few times now.
But it is still nice to see it because it's a nice looking plane.
Next up was a Delta CRJ-900 from Toronto.
It was followed by an A321 from Fort Myers, Florida.
A Dassault Falcon.
But I'm not sure where it came from.
But it was still nice to catch since it was a surprise.
A 737 coming in from Montego Bay, Jamaica.
And one from Cancun.
And then the plane I was waiting for appeared.
I've seen Turkish a few times at O'Hare, so it was not a surprise.
I like the 787.
The lighting was just about perfect too.
I like this shot.
But I like this one more.
It was followed by a 737 MAX coming in from Dulles Airport in Washington DC.
And I end the night with a sunset picture of an AeroMexico E190 coming in from Monterrey.