The Diagon Alley Singer

In the Diagon Alley section of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” in Florida we were entertained by singers and dancers. This woman was first out but she was soon joined by others to sing for us.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length24mm
ISO65535
Shutter speed1/400s

The John Hancock Center in 2003

Right, as I have been reliably informed in the comments, this is the John Hancock Center in Chicago. Ah well. I haven’t been there in twenty years.

The Sears Tower rises above all nearby buildings in Chicago in 2003.

It was renamed the Willis Tower in 2009, but when I took this photo from a nearby building in 2003, it was still the Sears Tower.

Although Sears’ naming rights expired in 2003, the building continued to be called the Sears Tower for several years, despite multiple changes in ownership. In March 2009, London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings agreed to lease a portion of the building and obtained the naming rights. On July 16, 2009, the building was officially renamed the Willis Tower.

Wikipedia

Apertureƒ/4
CameraCYBERSHOT
Focal length48.5mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s

A Florida Dragonfly

Behind the town of Seaside in Florida lies a lake which no doubt contributes to the humidity during the day there.

Early one morning I photographed this dragonfly resting on the fence on a small pier on the lake. The air was still cool, so the dragonfly was probably still sluggish until the day warmed up.


Apertureƒ/6.3
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Focal length200mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/400s

Capturing Seaside’s Sunrise Splendor

In Seaside, Florida, a photowalk in September is best enjoyed in the early morning to avoid the oppressive humidity and heat that sets in later in the day. But the silver lining is that this early start allows us to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico, casting a golden glow on the pristine white sandy beach nearby.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Focal length48mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s

Dawn at the Bar & Grill

As the sun slowly rose over Santa Cruz, I found myself drawn to a quaint restaurant nestled along the beach front. The golden morning rays cast a mesmerizing shadow of a street lamp on the building, while inside, a diligent worker was already busy prepping for the day ahead.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length105mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1250s

The Truman House

A sign outside a home in Seaside, Florida, tells the curious passer-by, “The Truman House”. It was used as the home where Truman Burbank lived in the film, The Truman Show.

The house itself sits at 31 Natchez Street in Seaside. I didn’t see anyone about, but then again I walked past at around 8am in the morning before the oppressive heat of the day got too bad.


Apertureƒ/7.1
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Focal length28mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/80s

A Metal Flag with Heart

The Stars & Stripes made from corrugated metal outside someone’s house in Seaside Florida. I guess it was a child’s project, especially with the heart attached to it.

It was so rusted then, I doubt it’s still there now, 13 years later!


Apertureƒ/5.6
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Focal length88mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/800s

Sunset at Seaside

It was the end of another sweltering day at Seaside, Florida. The sun was setting in a blaze of glory. The sky was on fire with dramatic rays of orange and pink, and the clouds were playing their part perfectly.

I spotted a swimmer going into the water, and she made for a nice silhouette on a fiery evening.


Apertureƒ/4.5
CameraCanon EOS 40D
Focal length18mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/50s

A Morning Walk in Santa Cruz

Way back in 2013, at the Automattic Grand Meetup, I took an early morning walk along the promenade in Santa Cruz. The sun had already risen, but the world was quiet, and I enjoyed a solitary walk before the day’s work had to be done.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1000s