Donncha

A Silhouette of a Sunset

The sun had just set beyond Dunmore Head, next to Coumeenoole Beach. I had arrived late, but in time to make a silhouette of the hill and catch clouds just peeping over the hill.

Aperture	ƒ/10
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	240mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/250s

The Rock Orchestra in Cork Opera House

A performer on stage, singing into a microphone. The performer is wearing a striking black outfit with lace details and fingerless gloves. They have a unique headpiece resembling a crown made of spikes. The lighting is dramatic, with blue hues creating a vivid atmosphere. Tattoos are visible on the performer's arm.

We went to see The Rock Orchestra play in the Cork Opera House last night, and they were a blast! Hopefully, these photos will help capture some of the excitement of the night. It’s well worth going to see them!

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	105mm
ISO	8000
Shutter speed	1/400s

HNLMS Dolfijn Visits Cork

In 2003, the Dutch submarine, Dolfijn, or Dulfun, visited Cork for a few days. I happened to be around town and spotted it from Kennedy Quay where I’d been photographing the ships, buildings and machinery.

When it left Cork, it headed to Mallorca. September in Cork is nice, but I wouldn’t mind a few days there in October!

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	11.3mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/500s

Winthrop Street Dug Up

A construction site in a city, with the middle of a paved road dug up.

In early 2005, Winthrop Street was dug up and repaved. I really don’t like the modern surface. Part of it feels slippery, and the middle section is uncomfortable to walk on. Anyone else?

Aperture	ƒ/2
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	9.7mm
ISO	320
Shutter speed	1/30s

Lulu the VW Bus

In 2019, Lulu was this beautiful blue VW bus and was a photo studio on the final night of the Automattic Grand Meetup in Florida that year.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	16mm
ISO	250
Shutter speed	13s

The October ’24 Aurora

The image depicts a tall, cylindrical stone tower against a vibrant night sky. The sky is illuminated with shades of pink and purple, suggesting the presence of an aurora. Stars are visible throughout the sky, adding to the scene's atmospheric beauty. The tower is marked with the year "1815" and is surrounded by trees and buildings, creating a striking contrast between the historic structure and the colorful celestial display.

Yesterday, I noticed that Henry was warning us (in Blarney Photography Club) that there was likely going to be a great display of aurora borealis that night. I’m recovering from a cold, so I was just going to stay in and watch TV, which I did. Nothing was going to get me out into the cold night.

I woke up this morning around 2am and saw a message from my sister where she sent on a fabulous photo of the aurora in the sky over her home. Already feeling FOMO, that was the last straw and I got out of bed and drove down to the River Martin walk to photograph the sky silhouetted by the hills on either side. I hoped there would be some sort of reflection in the water of the pool, but it wasn’t strong enough.

I should have gone home then, but I’m glad I drove up to Waterloo Church and you can see some of the photos I took there too.

The temperature had dropped from 2.5C to 0.5C in the time I was out and my camera battery had gone from 57% to 0%, and a torch battery had succumbed to the cold too.

To my eyes, I could see a green glow, but the pink and purple were only really visible in the photos. I could make out the red in the sky behind the church, though. A remarkable display.

There’s a good chance of more aurora tonight. I need to lie down now for a nap. zzzz

The image shows a night sky with a vivid display of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. The sky is filled with stars and features a gradient of colours, including shades of purple and green. Silhouettes of trees and a landscape are visible in the foreground, creating a serene and natural scene.

The image depicts a night sky filled with stars and a striking display of the aurora borealis, showcasing vibrant pink and purple hues. In the foreground, there is a silhouette of a tall, cylindrical stone tower, likely a historical structure, next to a building resembling a church. The scene is framed by trees and a pathway, creating a serene and picturesque setting.

Aperture	ƒ/2.8
Camera	ILCE-7RM5
Focal length	24mm
ISO	640
Shutter speed	60s

A Busker in February

On a quiet February day in 2019 I walked down Winthrop Street and saw this busker strumming his guitar.

Aperture	ƒ/6.3
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	16mm
ISO	4000
Shutter speed	1/500s

The Sherkin Boat

If you walk over to Cow Strand on Sherkin Island, you’ll come across this boat, maybe. At least in 2015 you would have. It might be gone by now.

Take a look at Google Maps. I think that’s this boat.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	80mm
ISO	250
Shutter speed	1/250s

The Llafranc Cat

When I was collecting the keys to our apartment near Llafranc in Spain a few years ago, I was being carefully watched by a feline guard.

No doubt waiting for treats.

Aperture	ƒ/2.4
Camera	SM-G998B
Focal length	9mm
ISO	50
Shutter speed	1/440s

Horses on Sherkin Island

We were visiting Sherkin Island in 2015 when I saw a rider pulling another horse along with him. This was on Cow Strand, but I’d seen him riding on Silver Strand earlier in the day. A lovely, warm, August day just before school was about to start again.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	160
Shutter speed	1/250s

A Stag and his hinds

I visited the National Park in Killarney, Co Kerry, today to photograph the deer with other members of Blarney Photography Club, and a few friends.

A stag looks on at a horse and trap full of tourists in the background

There weren’t many stags or deer to be seen, apart from in a field up a hill beyond the Castlerosse Park Resort golf course. We found this stag near the Torc Waterfall side of Muckross House. No other stags nearby, they were all calm and relaxed. I think the stag was slightly worried about the silly humans pointing long lenses at him from some 300m away. He needn’t have worried.