Dragonfly Ready to LaunchA dragonfly perched at the end of a blade of grass. Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, Washington, D.C.

Earlier this year, I purchased the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens (yes, lens names are boring). It's a telephoto lens that extends to 400mm, which is quite long. This is a big, heavy lens I'd been wanting for quite some time. It has a good focal length for shooting wildlife, landscapes that feature the moon, flowers, and dragonflies. I'd played with the lens some after getting it, but until recently, I hadn't had a chance to take it out and really put it through its paces.

So when the weather turned nice and I had some free time, I took my new lens out to Kenilworth for the lotus bloom. I was a little anxious. Long telephotos are notoriously difficulty to use (they have a very shallow depth of field) and I wanted my first outing with the lens to be a success. Fortunately, it all turned out great and I am very pleased with the results. The conditions weren't great for shooting flowers (the sun was too intense) but it was perfect for dragonflies (they like the sun). I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with this lens.

Dragonfly and a Splash of PinkA backlit dragonfly is perched on the tip of an unopened lotus with a pink lotus in the background.

Dragonfly on the EdgeA dragonfly rests on the edge of a blade of grass. Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 1Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C.

Independence Day this year was miserably hot and humid, but the fireworks were fantastic! This year I sat on the steps of the Capitol and had a great view of the fireworks exploding over the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. I normally try to post no more than two or three photos at a time, but I got very indecisive when writing this blog post. Which ones do you like best? I can't decide.

Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 8Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C. Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 6Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 2Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C. Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 5Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 4Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C. Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 3Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument with Fireworks No. 7Fireworks explode around the Washington Monument on Independence Day in Washington, D.C.

Hahn/Cock and the Capitol"Hahn/Cock", 2013, by Katharina Fritsch (German, born 1956) on the roof of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Glass fiber reinforced polyester resin fixed on stainless steel supporting structure. In the background is the Capitol.

I recently visited the National Gallery of Art, here in Washington, D.C. and really liked this 14½ -foot sculpture of a blue rooster ("Hahn/Cock" by Katharina Fritsch). When I was younger, I was a big fan of the classics and some of the early modern artists, such as the French impressionists. I never cared for abstract expressionism or contemporary art. But as I grow older, I find myself gravitating more towards the later modern artists and contemporary art, like this enormous blue rooster. It's the creativity that impresses and speaks to me the most.