The Hoover Dam, taken from a helicopter, 21 May 2014.

The Hoover Dam and Bridge, taken from a helicopter, on 21 May 2014.

I took this photo during a holiday to Las Vegas earlier this year. We took an afternoon helicopter trip from just off the Strip out to the Grand Canyon, passing over the Hoover Dam on the way.

Having visited the dam earlier in the week, it was great to get a different perspective on it. For such a huge structure, this image makes it look amazingly small.

I love this photo because it shows the dam itself, the impressive Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge that now dwarfs it, as well as the Colorado River, somehow being held back behind the dam.

It was was a small helicopter, seating the pilot plus four passengers. Adding to the challenge of capturing the moment was the vibration of the flight, as well as the scratched ‘plexiglass’ plastic windows. I has leaning down to the side, taking this photo through a small lower window, hence the straps in the foreground of the image. That just helps set the scene though, and makes this an image that not just shows one of the world’s most amazing landmarks, but also captures the spirit of the trip that I enjoyed that day.