Sony 717 – In Photos dot Org

The Swan Whisperer of Galway

If you’ve ever wandered down to the Claddagh in Galway, you’ll know the swans are less “graceful wild creatures” and more “assertive locals who know exactly when the bread’s coming out.”

That’s what happened on this day in 2005 when we visited and saw a young woman feeding those swans. Other birds wanted crumbs of bread too! Now we know that bread is not an ideal food for birds. Green vegetables are better for them.

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	17.2mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/125s

When the Lee Became a Mirror

The Banks of the Lee were quite different by the Peace Park in 2004. Trees and shrubs obscured the river from the small park. It looks so different now.

Aperture	ƒ/4.5
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	11mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/500s

Adi Roche in the 2004 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Adi Roche, the founder and voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International, was a prominent figure in Irish media for many years, tirelessly advocating for children affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Her passionate commitment to this cause left an indelible mark on countless Irish people, including myself when she visited my school in the early 1990s. Her presence was inspiring, leaving us all in awe of her dedication and humanitarian spirit.

In 2004 I photographed her on a float during the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Cork. She may have been the Marshall that year, perhaps?

Aperture	ƒ/4.5
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	45.2mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/500s

The water under our feet

This image shows a similar scene with more focus on a corner building housing a McDonald's restaurant. A crowd of people is gathered outside, and the construction zone is in the foreground with exposed pipes and materials. The building has a sign reading "Woodford, Bourne & Co." above the McDonald's.

In this image, there are several construction vehicles, including an excavator, working on the site. The area is fenced off, and there are various pipes and construction materials scattered around. Traffic is visible in the background, with cars lined up along the street.

Some people were surprised to find there was a large covered over tunnel below Grand Parade when the Cork Main Drainage Scheme dug up the road near Daunt Square in 2005. The street used to be part of the river, so I guess the water had to go somewhere, but it also highlights just how vulnerable the city is to high tides and climate change.

Aperture	ƒ/2.5
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	9.7mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/125s

Missing Buildings in Blackpool

The image shows a busy parking lot filled with numerous cars parked in organized rows. The cars vary in color and type, with some red, silver, and dark-colored vehicles visible. In the background, there is a construction site with machinery and equipment, as well as some residential buildings. The parking spaces are marked with white lines, and there are a few people walking near the vehicles. The scene appears to be taken from an elevated position, providing a wide view of the area.

A photo of the car park in Blackpool Shopping Centre before the rest of the buildings surrounding the area were built.

Aperture	ƒ/2
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	9.7mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/100s

Arco de la Victoria and lightstreaks

A large triumphal arch illuminated at night. The structure features classical architectural elements, with a prominent archway and decorative sculptures on top, including a chariot with horses. The lighting highlights the details of the arch, and there are light trails from passing vehicles on the road in front of it. Trees are visible on the sides, framing the monument.

Many, many years ago, I photographed the Arco de la Victoria (Victory Arch) in Madrid. I was quite happy to have the lights of passing traffic in the photo too!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	18.5mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	4s

Waiting to run

A large crowd of people, with some participants wearing orange shirts. In the foreground, a person with long blonde hair and a white headband stands out. The setting appears to be an outdoor event or parade, with buildings and trees visible in the background. The atmosphere seems lively and festive.

Runners prepare to take part in the Ladies mini-marathon in Cork, 2004.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	40.8mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/250s

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

The Chicago Board of Trade

The famous Chicago Board of Trade building as soon from La Salle, framed by the leaves of a branch and some flowers

In 2003, there wasn’t much vegetation to see on La Salle Street, but I found it at N 120 La Salle N Street according to Google Maps. The most recent photos on Google Maps show the red flowers are long gone.

You’ve probably seen the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) building in movies, such as Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Batman Begins, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Dark Knight.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	27.3mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/400s

Water bouncing on the apples

Water bounces off red apples in a sink. The stopper isn't visible, but it will stop any leaks.

Water bouncing off apples in a sink, a little experiment I did twenty years ago in 2004. I need to do more of that.

Aperture	ƒ/5
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	13.8mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/1000s

Chicago Apple Store

The genius bar in this Apple store in Chicago.

An Apple Store in Chicago, in 2003. I wandered in here while I was in the city, curious about what it would look like, as I didn’t use any Apple products at the time.

Check out those CRTs at the back of the second photo!

Aperture	ƒ/2.2
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	9.7mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/125s