Well I new it would happen sooner or later...and it did.
This morning I went to the local airport and parked on some spare (public) ground near the end of the runway. I had a pair of step ladders with me so that I could get a better view of the runway. I got set up on top of the step ladders next to my car and the coast guard C130 rolled out, I had got there just in time. After a 5-6 minute warm up at the end of the runway it rolls down the runway.
I set my camera down on the top of my SUV and turn around to see four Sheriff's cars comeing on to the spare ground, in total there were six officers. I was told to come down from the step ladders I started comply and reached for my camera and was told leave it there. I told them no I am not going to leave it in the sun, I will put it in the back of the car and I did.
The officers formed a 1/2 circle around me and asked what I was doing, so I told them photographing aircraft especially the Coast Guard C130. I was then asked for my drivers license I was asked is the information on the license current "yes". I then started to put my hand in my pocket to get my electronic cigarette and he tells me to keep my hands out of my pockets. The officer then took my license back to his car and I chatted to the rest of the officers and they asked where am I from ( this was to be expected as I talk funny being from Yorkshire). The officer running my license then shouts to me could I close my hatch so he could see the license plate, I did.
A bit more small talk a little about photography when I see the C130 on a landing approach, I said "he's coming in can I get my camera to get a shot" they all said get it quick. I did, one officer asking could he borrow my binoculars "yes", I got a few shots from the top of my ladder. A little more small talk as we look at the shots I got. At this point I asked can I get my E Cigarette out of my pocket and was told yes and more questions followed...about the E cigarette.The officer running my license then joined us with a few more questions address, phone number, ss number, my weight, do I make a living with photography (no) where did I work and what did I do, how offten do I come to this spot, are the people in the white van that just passed with me.After this he told me they had got a lot of calls about me so I told him in the future I would call a Sheriff's office If I new witch one and I had a phone number. He said no problem and gave me one saying this may stop the men dressed in black paying you a visit. They all left except one car (the unmarked one) he stayed there until I left.
After this I payed a quick visit to my place of work a short distance away and when I came out the unmarked car was parked down the street.
