DFW | April 2009 | Founders' Plaza | Thunderstorm!

So after dropping the kids off at school one day I took a quick swing by Founders' Plaza hoping to get some shots with lightning in the background....and didn't. But that didn't mean I tried.....

^Obligatory opening shot of the UPS ramp on a stormy morning. Interestingly there would be a siren that would sound from the ramp periodically. Not sure what it was, didn't see any flashing lights or emergency vehicles, I suspect it may have been some sort of lightning warning so that personnel avoid being out on the ramp in case of a lightning strike.
Oh wait, and here I am on this small hill overlooking the area. That's right. I'm THAT hardcore.



^Not the best picture, I was trying to capture the landing lights reflecting off the rainy runway/hold pad but found that I really should get a tripod for those sorts of shots.

Oh right, I want to stand on this small hill at Founders' Plaza with a metal tripod during a thunderstorm. That's right. That's how I roll, baby.

Anyway, this Alaska 737-800 departure to Seattle was delayed about an hour, I usually don't catch it departing. Behind it was a Continental 737-800 who elected to return to the gate due to deteriorating weather conditions. Didn't get a good picture there. Low light, strong winds, no can has tripod, the pictures has the blur.


^UPS 757-200F heading out from the UPS ramp. I had to pump up the ISO on these shots to get something useable, but I thought it'd make a "unique" photographic opportunity to test my newfound skills. I has them.

Running to the car ducking lightning and thunder. That's my skill. Yeah, baby.


^18L is normally used for departures and it closed for a short while this morning, so those with the brass cajones willing to depart were sent over to 18R for departure, like this American 757-200. The landing light was cool looking, but no love on catching some beacon flash.



^Bid adeiu to he with the brass testiculos as they roll down a rainy 18R to get up above the muck into sunny skies.

At this point there were two lightning strikes to my north in close succession not far away. At that point I cashed my chips in, pulled out my Golden Pussy card, hauled ass for the car and headed for home.

That's how I roll, baby.