Since I fly to and from work every day, usually in a helicopter, I am afforded some fantastic views of Las Vegas and surrounds. I've been meaning to take my camera up so I can show photos of the valley, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon from the air, but I always seem to forget to grab it in the mornings on the way out the door. Today, though, my commute was hampered, and eventually canceled mid-flight, due to a low ceiling of lingering rainclouds. Since we were hugging the ground to avoid impeded visibility, I decided to take a few shots with my camera phone. The quality isn't great-- but they're kind of neat nonetheless.

Low clouds over Lake Mead, with Fortification Hill, allegedly an extinct volcano, in the background.

Callville Bay Marina on Lake Mead

Fremont Street and downtown Las Vegas

Las Vegas Blvd (The Strip), Looking South from St Louis at Industrial (approximately)

The nearly finished Trump Tower on Las Vegas Blvd. The Fashion Show Mall, Treasure Island Hotel and Venetian Hotel can be seen in the background.

Las Vegas Blvd (The Strip), just south of Spring Mtn Rd. In the foreground is Treasure Island, it's parking decks, and part of the Mirage. In the background, from left to right: Wynn, Venetian and Harrah's.

Las Vegas Blvd (The Strip), south of Flamingo Rd. In the foreground, Bellagio. Across The Strip, from left to right: Bally's, Paris, Planet Hollywood (formerly Alladin), the three towers of Residences at MGM Grand, which are just behind the tiny Carriage House, which is just behind Marriot Grand Chateau, and on the far right, Polo Towers.

Construction of City Center, the massive new project between Monte Carlo and Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip.