The Santa Monica Roller Coaster

Some people love the roller coaster and raise their arms for that extra thrill, while others hold on with grim determination, hoping the ride will end soon. For others still, it’s just another ride on a vehicle they’re well-used to, their jaded expressions contrasting with the joy and terror of other riders.


Apertureƒ/7.1
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

A thirsty dog at the beach

It’s thirsty work playing on a beach when you’re a dog. You need water to quench your thirst after chasing a ball all afternoon.

There weren’t too many dogs at the beach, but I was surprised to see them. This was also the only place on our trip to the US that we saw dog excrement on the ground, nestled in the sand at the shoreline. It’s great to play or walk with your dog on a beach, but there’s a responsibility to clean up after them too.

Beautiful beach too, looking out on the Pacific, an oil platform and Anacapa Island in the distance.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length75mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/800s

Rooftop Shadow

Walking down a street in Santa Barbara, I spotted the shadow of a palm tree cast on a nearby roof. It attracted my attention because, while these roof tiles are common in that city, they’re not that common in Ireland and I liked the shape of the shadow too.

Everything just seems brighter and bigger in California!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length141mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/500s

Fluffy in the sun

Fluffy, a beautiful calico cat living her best life in California, basks in the sun in the backyard she, and only she, controls. She loves rolling over in the sun, mistress of all she surveys, while inside, her play tunnel is her domain.


Apertureƒ/1.8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length75mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/6400s

A bride in Santa Barbara

In and around the Court House in Santa Barbara, there were a number of wedding groups having their photos taken. This is one recently married couple I spotted in the corridor outside the main Court House. A lovely setting for photos.

I wonder if that couple in the background knew them, or were they just curious tourists like me?


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length113mm
ISO6400
Shutter speed1/250s

The Chicago Board of Trade

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.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCYBERSHOT
Focal length27.3mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/400s

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!


Apertureƒ/2.2
CameraCYBERSHOT
Focal length9.7mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s

Let it snow in Arizona

Many years ago, on a cold January day in Arizona we came across a small yard where metal works were being sold. One of those was an unusual metal robot with a red and white hat on it’s head, saying “LET IT SNOW”.

It didn’t snow, but it was cold at night!


Apertureƒ/5.6
CameraCanon EOS 20D
Focal length10mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/80s