Aerial photos of the 26th annual Big Texas Toy Run

I was lucky enough to get to ride in the back of a R44 helicopter to cover the 26th annual Big Texas Toy Run for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram this year. We followed thousands of motorcyclist from Gateway Park in East Fort Worth to QucikTrip Park in Grand Prairie. At one point, at loop-820 and I-30, we were hovering about 300 feet above the highway get a realitivly 'low angle' shot, and flying side ways. We were about level with the top of the very tall highway lights scattered around the interchange! You can view a slideshow of the event that includes photos from Staffer Joyce Marshall here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/18/3603672/big-texas-toy-run-2011.html   I shot a little bit of video with my Mk IV and iPhone 4s and will try to get that up sometime tomorrow.

**UPDATE** Short video clip of the flight added.

Thousands of motorcyclists wait to depart from Gateway Park in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Thousands of motorcyclists wait to depart from Gateway Park in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Thousands of motorcyclists wait to depart from Gateway Park in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade The first of thousands of motorcyclists enter Eastbound I-30 from Beach Street in Fort Worth and ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie, carrying donated toys, during the annual Big Texas Toy Run, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Onlookers wave to Santa Clause from the side of Eastbound I-30 in Fort Worth as he leads thousands of motorcyclists to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. They were delivering donated toys. Special/Brandon Wade Thousands of motorcyclists can be seen in the Eastbound lanes of I-30 (coming towards the camera) at the loop-820 interchange in Fort Worth during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. The motorcyclist were riding to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys. Special/Brandon Wade The downtown skyline of Fort Worth can be seen as thousands of motorcycle headlights can be seen in the Eastbound lanes of I-30 in Arlington (coming towards the camera) during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. The motorcyclist were riding to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys. Special/Brandon WadeThousands of motorcycle headlights can be seen in the Eastbound lanes of I-30 in Arlington (coming towards the camera) during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. The motorcyclist were riding to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys. Special/Brandon Wade Onlookers wave from the Ballpark Way overpass in Arlington as thousands of motorcyclist ride to QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. They were delivering donated toys. Special/Brandon WadeThousands of motorcyclists from Fort Worth and Dallas arrive at QuickTrip Park in Grand Prairie to deliver donated toys during the annual Big Texas Toy Run Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Cowboys blow another fourth quarter lead, losing 37-34 to the New York Giants

I spent pre-game and the first half shooting and editing photos for a corporate assignment for an AP Images client, so I didn't get any game photos from the first half. Once I turned in the corporate images I was assigned to the TV platform (about half way up the stands) to cover the second half. I only had a 300mm lens which really wasn't long enough, but I did get a few cool photos out of it none the less.

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) is congratulated by teammates after blocking Dallas' game tying field goal attempt with 1 second left in the game defeating the Dallas Cowboys 37-34 after an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) scores a touchdown as New York Giants cornerback Aaron Ross (31) defends during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) is flipped by New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) and corner back Aaron Ross (31) during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) scores a touchdown during an NFL game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) and safety Abram Elam (26) breakup a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) is pulled off side by Dallas Cowboys center Kevin Kowalski (60) during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning receiver the snap during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) scores a touchdown during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws the ball under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn (93) and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)Dallas Cowboys corner back Alan Ball (20) blocks a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) during an NFL game Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27), celebrates with fullback Henry Hynoski (45), guard David Diehl (66) and quarterback Eli Manning (10) after scoring the game winning touchdown during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)A wide angle view of Cowboys Stadium during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Giants won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)