Reflections - Across the lake

This is the far end of Greenbrier Lake (Sky Watch second image) on a breezy afternoon with muted reflections of the trees.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James of Newtown Area Photo.

Reflections - On Market Street

While in Frederick last Sunday for the Rose Hill Carriage Drive, I captured the above reflection of the sun from the windows on the left onto the wall. And after the carriages passed, this 1956 Ford offered reflections of the buildings nearby.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James of Newtown Area Photo.

War birds

On Wednesday Marianne yelled at me to get my camera. She had spotted a large bird on a fence post in our yard and several more in the field. As I raised my camera to get a shot through the window, several turkey vultures took flight. Outside I found five of them riding the wind higher and higher. As I took a few shots of these birds, I heard the distinct sound of an old prop plane somewhere beyond the trees. Then between the trees I saw a WW II B-17 that was circling towards the Frederick Airport.

I stopped by the airport as I ran some other errands and found three WW II aircraft parked: a B-24 Liberator, a B-17 flying Fortress and a P-51 Mustang. The planes are part of the Collins Foundation Wings of Freedom tour, a "flying history" tour currently hopping from airport to airport along the east coast.

The B-17G Flying Fortress is one of 14 B-17's still flying in the US. This aircraft was completed in April 1945 and did not see combat, but did see service in air/sea rescue and military air transport. In 1952 the plane was subjected to three nuclear explosions and after a cool down period was sold as scrap. Aircraft Specialties Company restored the plane and it served as a fire bomber, dropping water and borate. In 1986 she was bought by the Collins Foundation and restored to her original wartime configuration by Tom Reilly Vintage Aircraft. The "Nine-0-Nine" designation honors the the 91-st Bomb Group, 323-rd Squadron plane of the same name that flew 140 missions without an abort or loss of a crewman. The original plane was scrapped after the war.

Looking up the bomb bay

The B-24J Liberator is the only restored flying B-24 in the world. This B-24 was built in 1944 and served under the British flag in the Pacific Theater. It was restored by Collins in 1989 and painted with the insignia of the US 15-th Army Air Force. It now carries the insignia of the 8-th Air Force to honor those who served in England in WW II. The original "Witchcraft" B-24 (assigned to the 467 Bomb Group) flew 130 combat missions. After the war the original Witchcraft was scrapped.

50 caliber protection

The allied bombers needed more protection on the bombing missions into Europe and the P-51 Mustang was developed to fill this need. The P-51 began to accompany the bombers deep into Axis territory in 1942. Nearly 5,000 of these single-seat fighters were built for British and US forces. A few were modified to carry a passenger in a second seat. The Collins P-51 is the only dual-control P-51. The markings and name "Betty Jane" honor Col Charles McCorkle, a P-51 pilot and commander of the 31-st Fighter group in the Mediterranean Theatre.

B-17 and escort head east to Westminster, MD

Plane reflections

Reflected B-24 and its shadow

On Wednesday the Collins Foundation brought its Wings of Freedom tour to Frederick Airport. I happened to spot the B-24 andB-17 as they approached the airport and went to see why they were here. There was also a P-51 on the tarmac. Frederick was the third stop for these three WW II vintage aircraft. The Collins Foundation has restored them and takes them to communities around the US as a living history tour. While viewing (and photographing) these magnificent aircraft, I spotted some unusual reflections. More images of the planes in another post soon.

Reflection of the B-24 on the side of the P-51

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James of Newtown Area Photo.

Reflections - Night at Carroll Creek

After Saturday in Frederick at Oktoberfest and First Saturday, and dinner by the creek, I took some night shots as we walked along the creek back to the car. For some day time shots of this area see my Sky Watch from September 10.

Oktoberfest in Frederick

Oktoberfest was celebrated in Frederick last weekend. The event is spearheaded by two Rotary Clubs of Frederick and raises money to support Rotary Club efforts and local charities. Frederick has had a tie to Germany since colonial days when German immigrants settle in this area. This year feature music by Die Immergrün Musikanten.

While the band played and people danced at one end of the hall, food was served at the other. The people standing at the right edge of the image above were waiting to eat (including me behind the camera). At the end of the line there was sauerbratten, bratwurst, knockwurst, potato salad, sauerkraut, strudel, German chocolate cake and Black Forest cake. Plenty of bier was available (but I am the designated driver, so we had apple cider). Later we grabbbed some delicious strudel from this vendor.

Arts and crafts vendors are a big part of the festival. We were disappointed that some of our favorites from last year did not return, but the chain saw sculpture was their and we bought a new wooden jack-o-latern. (Marianne posted more shots.)

And if your wear traditional German dress (drindl or lederhosen) admission was free (otherwise it was $5). I like the hats (this gentleman did qualify for free admission).

Reflections - of me

Often the photographer is caught in an image where mirrors are in the field of view. For these shots I purposely included my reflection. The first two were taken during my walk through Ballston and the third is our van reflecting some of the neighborhood. Do you recognize this yellow device with the reflective center?

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James of Newtown Area Photo.