Location: Detroit, MI USA

Time: 12:49 pm EST

Weather: Sun peaking in and out, 35 degrees (F), 10 mph wind

Aircraft: Slowstick with PJS-800, Tanic 2150, Co-Pilot

Camera: Pentax Optio S5i

Description:
My actual home is Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit, no one outside of Michigan has heard of RH, so I headed downtown to Detroit to get some shots of the Detroit skyline, and my wife and 4 year old joined me on the trip last minute. Started out on the Detroit side, the lighting was not that good, and I got buzzed by a helicopter twice. I know he saw me, and I was barely 250-300ft, spooked me so I brought it down to call it a day. We were going to go ride the People Mover (elevated train), but it was not running on the holiday, so my wife suggested we head over to Canada and shoot the Detroit skyline from Canada. Through the tunnel we went, got the pics, and headed back. I have not gone to Canada in about 5 years (pre 9/11), and my wife did not bring her purse (hence no ID), and we did not bring any ID for my son. In the customs line back on the US side we saw the signs that said have photo ID ready. Oh boy... Our turn, I only had my drivers license, and the guy starts asking me questions (I have planes in the back, and satellite photos of the biggest buildings in Detroit in the van, which I am just waiting for them to find.) Then he asked me how often we go to Canada, and I said about once every 5 years. He said next time make sure everyone has 2 pieces of ID, and that if they had been on heightened alert, that we would not be getting into the country! My wife and I basically just nodded our heads "Yes, Yes sir, we are complete idiots..."

Anyhow, the tall glass buildings in the middle are the RenCen (not sure its called that anymore as it is the new GM world headquarters now). The shots were taken from a little park right on the Detroit River in Windsor, Canada.

--Scott

Great Lakes Aerial Photography