Formation with H.-P.

      We are honored to serve as part of the flying formation for the late David Eby. The "missing man" formation includes four v-tail Bonanzas and H. P.'s t-tail turbo Arrow. 

      

      Out on a 2-sip practice flight, I managed to capture some nice shots of our fearless leader in his t-tail. I had hoped to be positioned back portside during the formation; instead, were are doubly honored to do the break away, signifying the "missing man." What a sight that must be from the ground when airplanes fly overhead just at Taps finishes. 

      

      Dave taught me to fly. MyMrMallory mentioned to him at a party that I had an interest in learning how to fly. My interest extended to simply being articulate at supper time with MyMrMallory about aviation, his passion. Dave changed that little desire into a big desire.

      

      The next day, early, the phone rang. I answered. 

      

     "Wanna fly?"

      

      That was all I heard from the other end. I knew it was Dave. I said, "I'll be right there."  

      

      Back to today: Here are the shots of H.-P. flying his Turbo Arrow over Lake Arrowhead. 

Chickasaw National Recreational Area

     Arriving early on a Monday morning gave me plenty of time to explore the park. Fog was thick, and had begun to lift as I found many beautiful spots to photograph. 

Visit the Chickasaw National Recreational Area website.

Vertical and horizontal photos.

 Golden swirls.

A grassy island.

The dam appears to have holes all along its wall.

Pebble island.

Rough Horsetail Equistum hymenal stand in the foreground. 

The plant is prolific along the stream.

The slippery bridge falls.

An image characteristic of the stream along the park.

Moss grows on a tree trunk.

G'bye, Dave, and Thank You

David R. Eby, Colonel U.S.A.F. Retired, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 in Wichita Falls.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2015 at the Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.

Eby was born in Lancaster, PA on August 22, 1930 to Ralph W. Eby, Sr. and Caroline S. Eby. He lived on a farm in Paradise, PA until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. He graduated from Paradise High School and attended Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. He was an Air Force Aviation Cadet, completed pilot training and was commissioned in March 1953. He married Patricia Jane Smith from Lancaster in Big Spring, TX on March 21, 1953. During his career, he was stationed in Wisconsin, Alaska, South Carolina, England, Thailand, Okinawa and Texas. Eby flew the EB-66 in the South Asia conflict in 1968 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. At the time of his Air Force retirement in 1977, he was the Deputy Base Commander at Sheppard A.F.B. Subsequently, he was employed as an agriculture pilot for 20 years by Midwest Aero Service and Flying "V" Air Service. Eby was a part-time employee at Air Tractor working as a test demonstration and instructor pilot from 1979-1997. He was a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and an EAA volunteer FAA Designation Airworthiness Representative. He issued 113 airworthiness certificates for experimental aircraft. In 2005, he received the Federal Aviation Administration Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award for his contributions to aviation safety. His hobby was building home built airplanes and restoring factory built airplanes, and he assisted other owners in the restoration of their airplanes. A member of the Wichita Fall Radio Control Club, he built and flew radio controlled aircraft from 1958 to 2008, winning a first place trophy for aerobatics at the 1965 National Model Aircraft Contest. Survivors include his wife Patricia of 62 years, a daughter, Jane of Wichita, Kansas, a son Richard of Dallas, Texas and six grandchildren. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Church or Hospice of Wichita Falls. Online condolences can be made at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com

"Where Three Winds Meet"

Click The Exhibit to view my short post about A Central Place's Where Three Winds Meet, a Legacy of Poetry and Art in North Central Texas.

Gayfeather on Rocky Cliff

Planets, October 29th

Near Leo, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars rise.

Hangar Doors

Old, new, open, closed.

Morning Glory on a Fence

Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and a Meteor

Faintly, to the left of the three planets, a meteor embellishes my photograph.

Autumn Colors

The broomweed still blooms, giving the landscape a yellow color.

Joan of Arc Rose

Venus, Jupiter, and Mars

Smartweed

Cat and Squirrel

Coco visits with a squirrel in the evenings, then returns home.

Blade of a Wind Turbine

     Slowly transported to its destination . . . .

Squirrel Lounging on a Branch

Cessna Taking Off

Broomweed

Where is all the grass? 

Bluet Damselflies

Enallagma civile

Leaves Turning Early

These trees remind me of me; they turn in early.