Look down on Dunquin Pier

I remember the day I took this photo, in August 2020. When I arrived, a group of young women were taking selfies at this spot and from my perspective, they looked like they were standing on the edge of a cliff. It’s still dangerous, but it was a calm evening and there was plenty of space if you’re an invincible teenager, unafraid of your mortality.

At the time, only pubs that served were alllowed to open due to Covid restrictions, but B&Bs and hotels were open. Breakfast in our B&B in Dingle was strictly monitored, with guests having to book their times so the dining room didn’t become too crowded.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length38mm
ISO100
Shutter speed3.2s

The Valencia Mascletà

Smoke fills the sky during a pyrotechnic event in Valencia, Spain's Town Hall Square. Flashes of light from fireworks light up the smoke. Emergency workers in bright uniforms stand in the foreground as the spectacle unfolds against a backdrop of historic architecture, including the clock tower of the Town Hall. Signs for McDonald's and "FALLES" are visible on the street.

Wikipedia says, “A mascletà (pronounced in Valencian: [maskleˈta]) is a pyrotechnic event characterized by the achievement of a noisy and rhythmic composition that features, particularly during daytime, in street festivities; it is typical of the Valencian Community (Spain). It gets its name from the masclets (very loud firecrackers) that are tied by a wick to form a line or firework display. These are usually fastened at a medium height with ropes or raised by cannons.”

They are LOUD. The sound reverberates around the city centre, and you can feel it shake your body, and even into your legs. Quite an experience!

I did try to protect my ears, but it’s two days later, and there’s a remnant of the mascletà still ringing gently in my left ear since this morning when I woke up. Only time will tell if that is permanent.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO640
Shutter speed1/1000s

Reflections on Wilton Terrace

A glass fronted building on Wilton Terrace is reflected in the waters of the canal in Dublin earlier this month. I thought it might be the Canadian Embassy, but Google Maps shows it’s a slightly different building.


Apertureƒ/2.2
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length2.2mm
ISO1600
Shutter speed1/8s

Kayaking Adventures in Dingle Harbour

Two people kayaking at the mouth of Dingle Harbour in Co. Kerry while I was on a boat looking for Fungi, the Dingle Dolphin, back in 2017.

We saw Fungi that day. He broke the water a few times.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length116mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s

Wild Atlantic Waves

Waves crash onto the beach and rocks of Couminole Beach, Co Kerry near full tide. A dangerous beach for swimming at the best of times, it would be foolhardy to go swimming there in conditions like this!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length20mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

A Man and His Dog

It’s so unusual to see a dog in Cork City, but then I saw this beautiful Border Collie. His attention on something off-camera.


Apertureƒ/1.9
CameraM2101K6G
Focal length5.89mm
ISO197
Shutter speed1/500s

Nature’s Art: Fungi Patterns

I spotted this fascinating looking fungus growing out a dead tree trunk last weekend. I’d no idea what kind of fungi they were until an AI identified them as a Polypore.

This is a good sign, for that small forest I found them in, just outside Kenmare:

Polypores have been used as indicator species of healthy natural forests or old-growth forests in Europe. They are good indicators of invertebrate diversity on dead wood and include many endangered species. Polypores make good indicators because they are relatively easy to find – many species produce conspicuous and long-lasting fruiting bodies – and because they can be identified in the field.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO800
Shutter speed1/500s

The Edge of the Lake

Another one from that walk in Kenmare a few days ago. I spotted this couple walking by with their dog, and then they stopped a distance away with the dog exploring the shallows. I love silhouettes, so this photo came to be.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/500s

A bench by the Lake

A small bench is nestled among the trees in Kenmare, on the shores of Kenmare Bay. What caught my eye immediately were the three trees surrounding it. They frame the bench in a pleasing way, the bare branches providing a skeletal, natural, surrounding to the man made bench.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length94mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/200s

A Kenmare Robin

I spotted this little fella down in Kenmare, County Kerry the other day. A Robin, bold as brass, perched right there on a dead branch, posing like he owned the place.

He stayed there for a few minutes surveying the area, and let me get a little closer for a photo.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length240mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/500s

Kerry’s Quiet Corner

The bench here at the end of a spit of land near Kenmare, Co Kerry has a plaque that says:

HE NEVER LOOKS FOR PRAISES

HE WAS NEVER ONE TO BOAST

HE JUST GOES ON QUIETLY WORKING

FOR THOSE HE LOVES THE MOST

OUR DAD

The pillar has a plaque that has some writing I forgot to photograph, but the heading says, “Ode to Lem” which may be this song.

A lovely spot to contemplate the world.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/320s

Close

Ad-blocker not detected

Consider installing a browser extension that blocks ads and other malicious scripts in your browser to protect your privacy and security. Here are a few options.

  • uBlock Origin is a free, open source, ad blocker for your browser.
  • Use pi-hole if you have a spare Raspberry Pi on your network.
  • Set the private DNS settings on your phone to dns.adguard.com to block adverts and trackers.