This is the third in a series of images featuring Coast Guard helicopters in action over Mission Beach. This photograph speaks of dangers within the sky itself. Every evening, Coast Guard patrol helicopters would roar past our balcony, and often flights taking off from the nearby San Diego airport would be simultaneously soaring skyward towards them. I was able to time this shot so that the helicopter flying overhead seems to be aiming directly at a huge American Airlines plane gaining altitude over the ocean. I blur the helicopter, signifying its rapid movement. My shutter stops the plane – it seems to be standing still, hanging there in the sky waiting for the helicopter to catch up to it. The image speaks of our crowded skies, pointing out the always dangerous possibility of collision. In this case, there was no chance of an accident. These aircraft may seem to be flying right at each other, but that is only a photographic illusion. The helicopter appears significantly larger than the airliner because it is much closer to my camera. The space between the two aircraft is actually vast – the comparatively smaller plane is actually much larger -- it is flying a great distance from the helicopter and at a higher altitude. Such is the deceptive nature of photography, and its power of illusion.