Orange, black, and ready to race. My favorite detail in this BMW is the hole cut in the hood to accommodate the engine.
Tag: Park
Checking out the FD
Imagery of JDM classics makes them seem larger-than-life, but a side-by-side image with everyday people reveals just how compact cars like the Mazda RX-7 were.
More from the #GRIDLIFE Pits
#GRIDLIFE Circuit Legends last fall was an incredible photographic legend—way more than could fit in just one post. We’re back again, this time focusing on happenings in the pits (which were open to the crowds.)
This black Nissan GT-R R34 was lurking in the shadows.
The gold shades on this S2000 driver were extra-dramatic with a fisheye lens.
Rounding out the action, this C5 Corvette rumbled down the pit lane. Given that it and the R34 share similar tail lights and paint jobs, the similarity in style seemed justified.
Skating in Bushnell Park (from Above)
Each winter, a skating rink is frozen into the southern end of Bushnell Park. The neighborhood gains a new sort of place to gather and the city gains that extra pop of brightness and life.
Welcoming Snow to Bushnell Park
Winter finally arrived (properly) to Hartford, Connecticut, and with it, Bushnell Park was transformed into perhaps its most charming version of itself. The tiny silhouettes of people among the glowing lamp posts and decorated trees brings to mind an urban Narnia.
Around St. Stephen’s Green
Out and about St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin…
This gull knows the meaning of patience.
Fireworks by the Capital
Does anything better match the dome of a capitol than fireworks in the sky and celebratory crowds in a park beneath?
Gold Foliage, Gold Buildings, Gold Street
Saturday marked a final day of warm weather and sunshine before the cold and dark and rain of November closed in on us. The Hartford skyline was positively glowing.
Leaving Before the Fireworks End
Fireworks displays in metro areas always mean serious traffic, but the line of stopped cars along Bushnell Park has clearly formed before the fireworks display even ended. From this vantage point, there’s luckily more to see than traffic; the magenta luminescence of excited lithium ions paints its colors across the buildings and treetops of downtown Hartford.
Bushnell Tower Watching Fireworks
Flying a drone in downtown Hartford requires some extra permissions, but they’re worth chasing for the opportunity to capture shots like this one: Bushnell Tower, the State Capitol, and a rain-checked fireworks display arrayed above Bushnell Park.
Capitol/Capitals
My first drone flight in Hartford—floating above the trees of Bushnell Park—coincided with Juneteenth. The Connecticut State Capitol (former site of Trinity College) and this vibrant mural are located at the western side of the park.
The Day Before Pony Finals
Progressing through important summer horse show days finally brings us to the verge of Pony Finals. To whatever extent the event was subdued in 2020 and 2021, 2022 brought back the full experience.
Around Stonewall Farm, Pony Finals wouldn’t have been possible without the work of a whole team of young equestrians. Catching them in a rare group shot felt like a rare alignment of planets.
Naturally, that was because of the amount of time spent ferrying to and from the Rolex ring. As in past years, golf carts play a key role.
In the ring, young riders have time to school and explore the space before they return for scored trips beginning the next day. Behind this squad, the VIP sits empty.
There’s a mix of high stakes and informal context that makes this day before Pony Finals fascinating.
The formal riding clothes that will make up the next few days, the spectators in the stands, the judges, the jumps—all are absent.
There’s even time to stop for a snack…
…Or for a group photo.
The huge expanse of the Rolex’s footing makes for some remarkably neutral backgrounds. Details in horse and rider are all that stand out.
Back at the barn, pony after pony goes out for schooling or trials.
Will awaits a pony on the way back from the ring.
Megan gets Piper’s horse out of his stall…
And grooms him.
Piper heads off to ride.
The schooling ring is as busy as the Rolex.
In the warm-up, young riders focus on perfecting their rides.
Piper in the ring—with some good advertising.
“Maybe the real Pony Finals champions were the friends we made along the way.”
Kentucky Summer Classic Warm-Up Day
The hot day before the Kentucky Summer Classic was perhaps not in need of a literal warm up, but a warm-up day it nonetheless had.
Piper Klemm and her trainer, Emily Elek, were busy on their phones. Don’t call Emily—just text her if you want a response.
There’s always a need for more cold water bottles.
Will and Papaya receiving coaching from Bob Crandall…
…Before putting that advice into action.
I’m always on the lookout for a pony with a positive attitude and unique coat.
Out: Hermes belts. In: Gucci belts. I guess everyone watched the movie.
Grooms make all of this possible. I went with a deep depth of field here to allow for the big difference in size without either groom or rider being lost to bokeh.
Smiles like this are why we’re all there at the show.
Lights Up Park Street
Park Street might have been named for a different park (the one up the street), but the glow of St. Lawrence’s campus at night (the reverse view of this shot) has a delightful Central Park vibe that matches the street name well.
New Fountain
Over the course of the past few years, Canton’s park fountain has been graciously renovated and restored. The aerial view of the fountain at the lower edge of today’s image is nicely highlighted by the light streaks of passing vehicles.
Decaseconds 