The first Tomcats entered service in 1972 and they were retired from service in 2006. The two Pratt & Whitney TF-30 turbofans with afterburners could take the aircraft up to 1544 mph.
Taken around 3:00pm on a late January afternoon, the trees are all devoid of leaves. The sun was still high enough in the sky to light the face of the barn and the gate without interruption from the shadows of the trees.
Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday. This image is still my favorite Mardi Gras photo to date, though the trombone player cuts a close second.
While it can be hard to spot the beads and throws during the day, it becomes many times harder at night. Still, with many parades the throws are so thick in the air that you can simply raise your hands and come away with swag.
And no, I've no idea what the lady in the Drew Brees shirt is doing nor exactly what the police officer is looking at.
This lady was riding with the Krewe of King Arthur in their 2009 parade. Her costume and face paint are resplendent with these traditional colors. She's chosen to use face paint in place of a mask.