Rick, the first two pix were taken at the South Bridge of Kiev-City.
Gotta admit it was pretty unusual sight for Kiev - caused a few traffic jams... both on the bridge and on the river
...
The third pic was taken at one of the spots on "Kiev Sea" - huge resevoir up north (the one you're talking about).
Gusty (that is freakin-five-to-thirty-gusty) conditions are a status quo over there - good training on using a quick release...