Thursday, April 16, 2026

WATCHING THE PLANES COME IN AT GRAVELLY POINT ON 4-10-26

The brain was tricked into thinking that these planes were coming in pretty slow until all of a sudden, they were overhead and disappearing fast. I caught the ones further out okay, but it was hard getting 'all' once they were 'there'.  The little girl was enjoying herself running around in her pretty sparkly dress as my focus was on that plane coming in to land. Her family was right there but out of frame. I had fun people/family watching, seeing everyone having a good time, a place where everything was put aside for a little while. There is the Washington Monument on the right and you can see the road construction I mentioned in my previous post. This is not on the main road but next to it inside the park perimeter.

Here's another one...They just kept flying in, one after the other...
but there was a break when we heard airplanes taking off at the end of the other runway.  
Back to landing.
I sometimes wonder what those people up there are thinking right about now, and where did they come from.
"Here's a quote from the movie Airplane. Does anyone remember it?  Click here if you would like a refresher. It was released in 1980, a silly movie but I laughed all the way through it. I should find it again for a rerun.

Passenger: Nervous?
Ted Striker: Yes.
Passenger: First time?
Ted Striker: No, I've been nervous lots of times.

A groaner and you know how much I like those.
I never thought I could be so entertained watching planes flying in. This one looks like it is kissing the trees.
We had been here for over an hour, and this was the last one. It was time to leave.



Here's another one of those flying machines about to take off with a potato chip in its beak, a Red-winged blackbird. An opportunity for him as there were many having picnics. I was amazed that any birds were around with all those roaring engines overhead.

That's all from Gravelly Point, until the next time we go. 






43 comments:

  1. These are all great photos of the planes, and isn't it a lot of noise, and how people are having picnics there?
    have a good day, hugs Elke

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    1. I am happy you enjoyed them dear Elke. Yes, it's noisy when they go over but people don't seem to be bothered by it. I have an idea that many of the people we see are airplane enthusiasts and come just for them. You have a good day too. Sending hugs :) Denise

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  2. We have lots blackbirds here, but one with red wings...don't think I have ever seen one. So pretty!

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    1. I remember the first time I saw a Red-winged blackbird. When their wings are extended, you see even more of that most beautiful patch of red and yellow. They really stand out! It says it's an all-year-round bird. However, I don't see them too often in the winter. I do know their range is extensive and will have to do more research on them. Thanks Angie :)

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  3. The nervous joke gave me a huge laugh! And what a lucky find to be able to snap the snacking redbird! My favorite plane is the pretty blue one. And the little girl really makes that one photo!

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    1. That makes me happy Ginny, it made me laugh too. I felt lucky to see the snacker. He was enjoying himself :) The blue plane is Southwest. It is a pretty color design and I agree on that sweet little girl. She never stopped smiling.

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  4. Sweet bird there, Denise.
    It's fun watching the planes so close flying in and flying out - you did well photographing them.

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    1. I agree Margaret, he is and thank you so much :)

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  5. I know what you mean about the apparent speed of aircraft. It must be an optical illusion, I suppose.
    I love the film 'Airplane' - it never fails to amuse.

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    1. Must be Janice :) I need to look at that movie again.

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  6. What a fun way to spend the day! I love planes taking off! Cool shots!
    hugs
    Donna

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    1. Thank you Donna, it certainly was :) hugs, Denise

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  7. You got some great photos of the planes coming in for a landing. I bet it was very loud. A long time ago I used to live in a neighborhood that was on the approach to the airport and planes were coming in all the time. It was always so loud.

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    1. Thank you Ann and yes it was, but fun. I remember going to friends who were on the path of landing aircraft. Every time one went over the whole house would shudder. If there was a party of a larger group in the backyard, we all learned in a hurry to stop our conversation as a plane went over, looked up, watched for a couple of minutes, and then went on with our conversation once it had passed. Fortunately, it wasn't as busy a runway as this one was :)

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  8. Just think, soon the planes will all have to fly higher to clear Trump’s triumphal arch! Bigly.

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    1. Oh dear, and that's all I'm going to say on that one David :)

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  9. I once had a big plane fly very close to overhead. It was more than sixty years ago, but I remember.

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    1. That must have been quite something for you to remember the feeling all these years later John :)

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  10. Great photos Denise. It is interesting to watch the planes :-D

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  11. It's amazing how many planes can come into an airport in a relatively short period of time, isn't it? They are such fun to watch though. (And even more fun-maybe- to eon one going someplace new.)

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    1. It is! This is a very busy airport but I don't know how it compares to the rest of the country :) Yes, a whole lot of fun to watch and I agree.

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  12. I also like watching airplanes take off and land. It must have been incredibly noisy where you were.

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    1. It's fun, isn't it? It was but that seems to disappear into the background noise once there for a while and we didn't notice as much.

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  13. Hello Denise,
    Great captures of the planes and I love the RW Blackbird with the chip.
    Take care, have a happy day!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, so glad you enjoyed and though you would love the blackbird :) You take care and have a happy day also :)

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  14. Excellent x 100 photos of everything Denise. Wow the planes WOW!!
    Were they taken with long lens camera?
    Hugs cecilia

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    1. Sweet of you to say Cecilia, thank you :) They were taken with my cell phone and a long lens. Hugs, Denise

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  15. we have an airport right next to our business, planes are always coming and going!! i really enjoy watching the and years ago there was a parachuting school, that has closed. they are smaller jets, privately owned. jon bon jovi and bruce springsteen use the airport for their jets but i have never seen them!! when i watch the planes or when i hear a train whistle, i always wonder if the people are leaving for vacation or coming home. either way i would be smiling...i enjoy going away and love coming home!!

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    1. Hi Debbie, that last part of your sentence definitely spoke to me :) Your airport sounds very interesting. I recently saw a video of Bon Jovi picking Bruce Springsteen up from some place recently. They must be good friends. I think the people who jump out of airplanes are very brave, I am not!

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  16. You got some great shots of all the action overhead and the one of the black bird with the chip in it's beak!!

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    1. Thanks Ellen, the bird was the icing on the cake as we left :)

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  17. I admire the pilots who fly these planes but I am more like the bird, hoping for a quiet lunch haha.

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    1. Now you made me chuckle Penelope, thank you. I'm with you and the bird ;)

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  18. You got so many great shots of the planes.

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    1. Thank you Mary :) it was a fun day for taking photos.

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  19. Well done Denise, I think you got some great shots.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan, I very much appreciate that :) All the best to you too, Denise

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  20. Replies
    1. Gracias, me alegro de que te hayan gustado. Te mando un beso.

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  21. "No I've been nervous...."...lololol. Great photos of that plane.

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