Wild Ponies Grazing at SunsetWild ponies grazing as the sun sets

Earlier this summer, I visited Assateague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. The wildlife refuge is famous for the wild ponies that have lived on the island for hundreds of years. Evidence suggests that they are descendants of the survivors of a Spanish galleon that wrecked off the coast of Assateague.

Wild Pony with Birds 1A wild pony grazes among birds in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

Wild Pony with Birds 2A wild pony grazes among birds in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

Sunset on the Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeThe sun sets over the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

In addition to the wild ponies, a large draw of the island is the Assateague Lighthouse, which still operates and is open to the public.

Assateague Lighthouse at DuskThe Assateague Lighthouse watches over the iChincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia.

The beach at Toms Cove attracts a lot of people. I was able to capture an image of the galactic core of the Milky Way extending over the beach. The little buildings you see are lifeguard shacks.

Milky Way Over Toms CoveThe Milky Way over Toms Cove on Assateague Island, Virginia.

Awe of FireworksTwo onlookers watch fireworks shoot out over Lake Wesauking in Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Sparks Kiss the WaterFireworks explode over a lake and sparks fall, kissing the surface of the lake. Independence Day celebration at Lake Wesauking in Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Fireworks over the lakeA fireworks display over Lake Wesauking in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in celebration of Independence Day.

Spring Sunrise Over Yosemite ValleySunrise over Yosemite Valley in the early springtime. Featuring the sun rising behind Half Dome with snow at its peak, rushing water from Bridalveil Falls, and the stark face of El Capitan.

In mid-April, I had the good fortune of being able to visit Yosemite National Park, California. I was there a bit before peak season. The flowers in the meadows hadn’t yet bloomed, but there was still snow on the peaks, the weather was gorgeous, and I got to skip all the crowds.

I took lots of photos and I’m especially happy with the one above. It features the sun rising behind Half Dome, the stark face of El Capitan, and Bridailveil Falls full of water.

The following is a photo Upper Yosemite Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls.

Upper and Lower Yosemite FallsUpper Yosemite Falls and Lower Yosemite Falls in the early spring in Yosemite National Park, California.

Below is a photo of Half Dome and Cook’s Meadow.

Cook's Meadow and Half DomeView of Half Dome and Cook's Meadow in Yosemite Valley, California. Early in the spring, snow can be seen on top of Half Dome.

The following is another with Half Dome, but this time featuring the Merced River.

Half Dome and the Merced RiverThe moon peaks over Half Dome as seen from the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Early in the spring, snow can be seen on top of Half Dome.

Below is Upper Yosemite Falls and Cook’s Meadow.

Upper Yosemite Falls from Cook's MeadowA view of Upper Yosemite Falls from Cook's Meadow in the early spring.

And finally, here’s a photo of Wawona Covered Bridge.

Wawona Covered BridgeThe Wawona Covered Bridge spanning the South Fork Merced River in Yosemite National Park, California.

I hope you all enjoyed my photos. Yosemite is one of my favorite places.

Springtime Sunrise at the Thomas Jefferson MemorialSpringtime Sunrise at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial featuring cherry blossoms, tourists, and ducks at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

Spring is back and here in Washington, D.C., that means cherry blossoms. As I do every year, I ventured out to the Tidal Basin and attempted to capture the beauty of the season. Enjoy!

Old Cherry Tree with BlossomsAn old cherry tree with blossoms and exposed roots at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The Washington Monument is just visible on the right.

Old Cherry Trees and Cloudy SkiesOld cherry trees with blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Washington Monument and cloudy skies.

This one looks like the blossoms are forming a heart around the Washington Monument:

Cherry Blossoms Heart the Washington MonumentCherry blossoms form a heart around the Washington Monument at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

The Old Cherry Tree and the Thomas Jefferson MemorialAn old cherry tree with cherry blossoms leans towards the Thomas Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

These aren't cherry blossoms, but magnolia blossoms. They also bloom here at about the same time and are also very pretty.

Magnolia in BloomAn old magnolia tree in bloom near the George Mason Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Springtime Sunrise at the Tidal BasinSpringtime sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Washington Monument and cheery blossoms.

Low Clouds Over Jordan PondLow autumn clouds hang over Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, Maine.

Last year, I made two trips to Acadia National Park in Maine. The first one was in August, which I wrote in a blog post about visiting Maine in the summer and the second in October, which I mentioned in my cautionary tale about hiking for sunsets. The photos in this blog post are from that second trip in October. The leaves were just starting to turn, the sky was overcast, and everything was very wet.

[Above: Overcast skies above Jordan Pond. Below: Red tree roots with moss and Cobblestone Bridge along Jordan Stream Path.]

Red Tree Roots and MossRed tree roots and moss along the Jordan Stream Path in Acadia National Park, Maine.

The Jordan Stream Path through the Cobblestone Bridge in Acadia National Park, Maine.

It was quite stormy while I was there, which made the seashore even more interesting than usual. Thunder Hole (below) was closed off to visitors due to safety concerns. The following photos are all taken from along Ocean Path Trail after a recent storm.

Crashing Water at Thunder HoleHigh tide and crashing waves at Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park, Maine.

Rocks, Autumn Leaves, and the SeashoreWaves crash against the rocky short in Acadia National Park, Maine.

Watching the Waves in AcadiaOnlookers admire waves crashing against the rocky seashore in Acadia National Park, Maine.

After the Storm in AcadiaWaves crash against the rocky seashore in Acadia National Park, Maine, after a big storm.

Acadia National Park is wonderful and I hope to go back again soon.

Winter Dawn at the CapitolEarly on a cold, winter morning, snow covers the grounds of the west front of the United States Capitol.

Winter hit us here in Washington, D.C., and on Monday and Tuesday it actually snowed! I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I got up well before dawn and visited the Capitol. Because of the overcast skies, I didn't get much of a sunrise, but in the early dawn, I did get some brief color.

Snow and traffic lights at the CapitolSnow covered streets lead up to the United States Capitol on a cold winter morning in Washington, D.C.

I spent some time taking photos of the area around the Capitol. Unfortunately, I had to cut things short because of freezing rain. While I didn't get to spend as much time shooting as I would have liked, I did get this pretty photo of the National Mall:

Snow covered trees on the National MallSnow blankets the National Mall on a cold winter morning in Washington, D.C.

I think the following photo gives you an idea of just how early I was out there shooting. It was awfully cold.

Clearing snow for CongressEarly in the morning, an employee of the Architect of the Capitol clears snow from the grounds of the United States Capitol using a small tractor/snowplow.

Hopefully we get some more snow this season. I have some other locations I'd like to shoot as well.

2023 United States Capitol Christmas TreeThe 2023 United States Capitol Christmas Tree is a 63-foot Norway spruce from the Greenbrier Ranger District in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.

Happy holidays everyone!

Above is the United States Capitol and the 2023 United States Capitol Christmas Tree. The tree is a 63-foot Norway spruce from the Greenbrier Ranger District in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.

Below is Union Station in Washington, D.C. Each year, Union Station features giant holiday wreaths above the entrance.

Festive Wreaths at Union StationFestive wreaths adorn Union Station in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the holiday season.

Autumn Twilight at Jordan PondThe view of Jordan Pond in Acadia National Mark in Maine at dusk from atop Bubble Rock.

I made a second trip this year to visit Acadia National Park in Maine. The first trip was in August. I had gone there with my family and we had so much fun, we decided to return in the fall to see what it was like with the leaves turning. It was fabulous. I'll share some photos from that trip in a subsequent blog post. But for the moment, I'll share a little cautionary tale.

For this trip, I wanted to see if I could get a nice sunset or twilight photo overlooking Jordan Pond. The Bubbles Divide Trail leads to the tops of The Bubbles, which are small mountains overlooking the pond. I'd never done the hike before, but from the maps, the trail looked promising.

I left in full daylight by myself, as my family was off having dinner. It was my intention to arrive at the top of the mountain well before sunset. I made sure to pack a map and a flashlight, because I knew that sticking around for the sunset would mean hiking back in the dark.

The trail wasn't especially long or especially difficult, though it had recently rained, which made things quite slick and muddy.

The trail deposited me near the summit of one of The Bubbles. Unfortunately, there's no actual view of Jordan Pond from the summit. So I had to do some searching around to find an actual vista. As you can see from the photo above, I found one. It was the top of a cliff overlooking the pond.

When I got to the top of the cliff, it occurred to me that I wasn't certain of the way back to the trail. I didn't see a clear or marked path to the trail. Now I figured it wouldn't be especially hard to retrace my steps and find the trail. There were also quite a few other people around I could simply ask. However, from previous experience hiking, I knew two things. First, everyone would likely leave right after the sun dipped below the horizon, when there's still some remaining light. However, I normally want to stick until it gets dark. And second, everything looks very different in the dark, especially unfamiliar trails and landmarks.

So, before I settled down and unpacked my gear to shoot the sunset, I retraced my steps back to where the trail emptied out onto the summit and I committed it all to memory. I did not want to find myself a couple of hours later alone and lost on the top of the mountain.

I returned to my spot atop the cliff and settled down to wait for the sunset. Lots of other hikers came and went. And then just as I predicted, everyone left shortly after the sun dipped below the horizon. I stuck around a while longer to see if the sky might turn interesting colors and I prayed that some of the distant clouds might move in closer (they didn't).

When I finally decided to pack up and leave, it was cold, very windy, and almost completely dark. Everyone had already left except for one other group, which consisted of about five people. They saw me get up and asked if I would come over and take a group photo for them. So I obliged them and they seemed very grateful. And then, with some embarrassment, they asked me if I knew how to get off the mountain. They explained that they had been wandering around the mountaintop for a while looking for the way down. When they saw me, they figured they would wait for me to leave and follow me down. I told them I'd be happy to lead them down the mountain and they all let out visible sighs of relief.

I lead this group of fellow hikers back along the route that I had memorized. On our way to the trail, we ran into another group of hikers who were heading right towards the area we just came from. One of the new hikers pointed over my shoulder to the place we had just come from and asked if that was the way down the mountain. I said no, it actually leads to a cliff. At that point, the new hiker looked very confused and pulled up his map. After fumbling with his map for a moment, he confessed he had no idea how to get down. They also had been wandering around in the dark trying to find the trail. So I invited this second group of hikers to join us.

And that is how I ended up leading two groups of hikers in the dark down a mountain I had never climbed before. I was so glad that I had taken time earlier to familiarize myself with the way back. It really pays to plan ahead and take into account that everything looks different in the dark.

American Falls RainbowAmerican Falls in Niagara Falls, United States, with a rainbow over the Maid of the Mist sightseeing boat. Off in the distance is Horseshoe Falls and the skyline of the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada.

Here are some more photos from my travels last summer. We briefly visited Niagara Falls and I’m glad we did. It was stunning! In the morning, the light shone through the mist below American Falls and formed a rainbow. I captured this photo of the Maid of the Mist sightseeing boat traveling underneath. I think it’s quite lovely. The skyline of the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, is in the background, and Horseshoe Falls is way in the back, behind American Falls.

I also captured some of the falls at night. Here’s one image of the falls lit up with colored lights:

Night at American FallsAmerican Falls in Niagara Falls, United States, at night. Off in the distance is Horseshoe Falls and the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada.

If you stick around late enough, you can see fireworks!

Fireworks and Niagara Falls 1American Falls in Niagara Falls, United States, at night and fireworks over the skyline of the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada.. Horseshoe Falls can be seen off in the distance.

Fireworks and Niagara Falls 2American Falls in Niagara Falls, United States, at night and fireworks over the skyline of the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada.. Horseshoe Falls can be seen off in the distance.

I’ve heard from many that the views of the falls are better from the Canadian side, but after seeing my photos, I hope you can agree that the view from the U.S. side is fantastic too!

Summer at Portland Head LightSummer at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

This summer, we drove up from D.C. to Maine for an August vacation. Maine is wonderful in the summertime. The weather was pleasant and the scenery was amazing. While we spent most of our time in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and the surrounding area, we made stops in Portland, both on our way up from D.C. and on our way back. Portland Head Light (above) was especially scenic.

Most of the scenery we got to enjoy was in Acadia. Here's a sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain:

Cadillac Mountain Summer SunriseA summer sunrise from atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, Maine.

On my first visit to the top of Cadillac Mountain, I encountered thick fog and couldn't see anything. That was quite disappointing, so I was relieved on my second try to get this beautiful sunrise. There's nothing worse than getting up at 4:00 AM to take a sunrise photo and encountering thick fog. (Don't most people sleep-in when on vacation?)

Fortunately, sunset photos don't require waking up so early. Here are a couple of photos from Otter Point:

Summer Sunset at Otter PointTurbulent ocean water crashes against the rocks during a summer sunset at Otter Point in Acadia National Park, Maine. Summer Twilight at Otter PointTurbulent ocean water crashes against the rocks at twilight during the summer at Otter Point in Acadia National Park, Maine.

In this case, shooting the sunset meant skipping dinner with everyone else. Unfortunately, the best times for shooting landscapes happen to be the most inconvenient.

Here's another sunset, but this time at Bass Harbor Head Light:

Bass Harbor Head Light Summer SunsetBass Harbor Head Light is a lighthouse at the head of Bass Harbor in Maine. It was constructed in 1858.

Maine is well known for its lighthouses. The following is one more of Portland Head Light:

Blue Skies Over Portland Head LightSummer at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

This trip in August was my first attempt at shooting landscapes in Maine. I think it was quite a success. We all had a lot of fun too. I'll definitely have to go back!

Ready to Launch

Fall is here and I'm a bit behind on blog posts and such. I'll try to catch up. In the meantime, here are a couple of photos from Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens here in Washington, D.C. It's a lovely place in the summertime and I try to visit at least once each year. This time, I got a nice photo of a blue dasher (dragonfly above) posed on a pink lotus and a "Blue Lotus of the Nile" (below). Enjoy!

Blue Lotus of the Nile"Blue Lotus of the Nile" (Nymphaea caerulea)

Sunset over the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, D.C.The sun sets over the Arlington, Virginia, skyline, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, D.C.

This year, I celebrated Independence Day with friends and family in the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, D.C. We were treated with a beautiful sunset and gorgeous weather. I brought my camera and took this lovely photo of the sun setting behind the Arlington, Virginia, skyline and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. I took some photos of the fireworks as well. Unfortunately, the wind blew the smoke from the fireworks towards me, inhibiting my view of the fireworks. Oh well, I had a lovely time with everyone I was with and I especially enjoyed the gorgeous sunset.

JWB_20230704_8544Fireworks over the Washington, D.C., waterfront on Independence Day.

JWB_20230704_8545Fireworks over the Washington, D.C., waterfront on Independence Day.

Spring at Doyles River Falls (horizontal)Doyles River Falls in the spring in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

If you ever have a chance to visit, the river and the falls are beautiful, but the hike is steep!

Spring at Doyles River Falls (vertical)Doyles River Falls in the spring in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Tranquility on Doyles RiverA tranquil pool of water in Doyles River, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

A brood of ducklingsFour mallard ducklings swimming.

Springtime in Washington, D.C., brings adorable ducklings to the National Mall. Here is my latest attempt to capture the pure cuteness of ducklings. I hope the eye-level view adds some good perspective. Enjoy!

Brood of ducklings in a lineA brood of five mallard ducklings swim in a line with their mother swimming behind.

A mallard pairA pair of mallard ducks (male and female) float together.

Quack goes the ducklingA malard duckling swims with its mouth open.

Mother and child ducksA mother mallard duck cares for her duckling.

Mamma duck and baby duck swimmingA female mallard duck swims with a duckling.

A mother and two ducklingsA female mallard duck swims with two ducklings.

Shy ducklingEye contact with a mallard duckling with its bill in the water.

Swimming ducklingA mallard duckling swimming.

Duckling eye contactA mallard duckling swimming right at you.

Capitol, Jefferson, and SonEarly morning sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., shortly before peak bloom for the cherry trees. Featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Capitol dome.

I recently went out to shoot the cherry blossoms like I do every year, but the weather didn’t cooperate. A few weeks of unseasonably warm weather brought us an early bloom, but then a sudden cold snap hit us right when peak bloom hit. I went out twice to shoot the blossoms. The first time it was cold and sunny with clear skies and the second time it was cloudy and overcast. It was pretty, but neither of those are ideal conditions for landscape photography. Oh well, one can’t have perfect weather every time. It’s fun to get out there and try anyway.

Morning with Cherry Blossoms at West Potomac ParkA tranquil morning at West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., featuring cheery trees in bloom.

Overcast with Cheery BlossomsOvercast skies at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring cherry blossoms and the Washington Monument.

2022 United States Capitol Christmas TreePhoto of the 2022 United States Capitol Christmas Tree at dusk, featuring the Washington Monument. Each year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree (also known as the "People's Tree") is selected by the USDA Forest Service from a different part of the United States. For 2022, the honor was given to a 78-foot-tall red spruce affectionately named "Ruby" (shortened from the spruce's scientific name, Picea rubens) from the Pisgah National Forest in the southern Appalachians in western North Carolina.

The tree this year came from the Pisgah National Forest in the southern Appalachians in western North Carolina. It's a 78-foot-tall red spruce affectionately named "Ruby" (shortened from the spruce's scientific name, Picea rubens).

Autumnal Sunrise at the Tidal BasinAn autumnal sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and cherrry trees with fall foliage.

Here's the last of my fall foliage posts. I took these photos on a glorious morning at the Tidal Basin. The trees were colorful, the air was calm, the clouds were dramatic, and the sunrise was stunning. It was a great morning!

Autumnal Dawn at the Tidal BasinAn autumnal dawn at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and cherrry trees with fall foliage.

Autumn and the Washington MonumentCherry trees with fall foliage at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Washington Monument.

Leaves in an EddyAutumn leaves caught in an eddy in Rock Creek, Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.

Here are a couple of photos from Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. I'm doing my best to capture the beauty of the season. Enjoy!

Color at Rock CreekA variety of colors reflected in the water in Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington DC. Featuring fall foliage and fallen leaves.

Autumn Morning at Great FallsA beautiful autumn morning at Great Falls, Virginia. Featuring fall foliage and flowing water.

Stay tuned, I've got more fall images on the way!

The Statue of Freedom and the Eclipse 1The Statue of Freedom, resting upon the United States Capitol dome in Washington, D.C., gazes upon a lunar eclipse on Election Day, 2022.

The Statue of Freedom and the Eclipse 2The Statue of Freedom, resting upon the United States Capitol dome in Washington, D.C., gazes upon a lunar eclipse on Election Day, 2022.

Autumn Sunrise at BearfenceSunrise from the Bearfence viewpoint in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Autumn is here and it's a great time to go out and take some photos. Above is the first of a few that I plan to share. I took this one very early in the morning on the Bearfence rock scramble in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. It's pretty tough getting up early enough to drive out there and hike up the rock scramble in the dark, but it's certainly worth it!

Sunrise on the Assateague ChannelSunrise at the Assateague Channel between Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island in Virginia.

In October, I visited the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia. It's a marvelous place, with beautiful forests and fantastic wildlife. Summer is peak season for tourism on the island, but I find that in the summertime, the mosquitos can be quite troublesome. Fortunately, one can avoid the mosquitos by visiting off-season in October.

I took the above and below photos in the Assateague Channel, which is the small area between Assateague Island (where the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located) and Chincoteague Island (where the city of Chincoteague is located). Early in the morning, it's especially beautiful and tranquil.

Dawn on the Assateague ChannelDawn at the Assateague Channel between Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island in Virginia.

The claim to fame for the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is the presence of feral ponies. Popular legend has it that the feral ponies descended from survivors of wrecked Spanish galleons off the Virginia coast. They are magnificent to behold in their natural habitat, but they can be elusive. Fortunately, I was able to get some nice photos of them the last time that I visited. I hope you like them. I was particularly excited to get photos of the foals.

Wild Mare and Her Foal 1Wild ponies in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia. Featuring a mare and her foal. Wild Ponies FeedingWild ponies in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia. Featuring a mare and her foal. Wild Trotting FoalA wild pony (a foal) trots along some water in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia. Wild Mare and Her Foal 2Wild ponies in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia. Featuring a mare and her foal. Wild White FoalA wild pony (a foal) trots along in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia.

Closed LotusA lotus flower close to opening.

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens (National Park Service) is one of my favorite places here in Washington, D.C. It's a wonderful bit of nature tucked away in the outskirts of the city. I try to visit every summer to see the flowers and wildlife and I'm never disappointed. Here are several photos from my recent visit.

Lotus flowersNumerous lotus flowers.

Open LotusA lotus flower that is fully open.

The lotus flowers bloom every June and July and they are gorgeous. If you're lucky, you will also see some wildlife. Here are a couple of a blue heron and one of a green heron:

The WatcherA blue heron carefully watching for prey.

Blue Heron in Flight 1A blue heron takes flight above a pond full of waterlilies.

Green Heron WatchingA green heron patiently watches for prey.

The water lilies can also be quite beautiful.

Pink Water LillyA pink water lilly.

White Water LillyA while water lilly.

Blue Skies at the CapitolA beautiful blue sky with clouds over the east front of the United States Capitol on a fine spring day.

Spring is here in Washington and it's just lovely. The weather is warm and sunny and everywhere you look, the flowers are blooming. I brought my camera to work and spent some time at lunch taking a few photos. I feel so fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful place.

Tulips at the CapitolA beautiful spring day at the United States Capitol, featuring colorful tulips, a blue sky, and clouds.

Sunny Spring Day at the Supreme CourtA sunny spring day at the Supreme Court of the United States.

Blackwater Canyon covered in snowSnow covers Blackwater Canyon in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

I just got back from a short trip to West Virginia. I was there for recreation, but took some time to take some photos. The snow was beautiful. Here are a couple of photos that I think turned out pretty well. Enjoy!

Snow and ice at Blackwater FallsSnow and ice at Blackwater Falls on a very cold day in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

Autumn Color at Blackwater Falls 1Autumn at Blackwater Falls in West Virginia, where the Blackwater River leaves Canaan Valley and enters Blackwater Canyon. The Blackwater River gets its named from its tannin-darkened water.

I visited Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia over Indigenous Peoples' weekend. It was peak season for fall foliage and there was a lot of water in the falls. Above and immediately below are photos of Blackwater Falls from two different vantage points. The falls are formed where the Blackwater River transitions from Canaan Valley into rugged Blackwater Canyon. The river gets its name from the tannin-darkened water.

Autumn Color at Blackwater Falls 2Autumn at Blackwater Falls in West Virginia, where the Blackwater River leaves Canaan Valley and enter Blackwater Canyon. The Blackwater River gets its named from its tannin-darkened water.

Bellow are images of Blackwater Canyon, Elakala Falls, and Lindy Point, which again features Blackwater Canyon. I had a great visit to the Park and I'm pleased that I was able to bring home some wonderful photos.

Autumn in Blackwater CanyonAutumn in Blackwater Canyon, West Virginia.

Autumn at Elakala FallsFlowing water and autumn leaves at Elakala Falls in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

Autumn Sunset at Lindy PointAn autumn sunset at Lindy Point in West Virginia. Featuring fall foliage in Blackwater Canyon and the Blackwater River.

Falls of Hills Creek (middle)Falls of Hills Creek in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Falls of Hills Creek is actually three waterfalls. This one is the middle of the three and is about 45 feet tall.

Tucked away in the center of West Virginia is a trio of waterfalls called the "Falls of Hills Creek". Above is the middle of the falls. It is about 45 feet tall. Bellow is the lower of the falls. It is about 65 feet tall. Since Falls of Hills Creek is fairly remote, there was no one else there when I visited, making for a very peaceful visit.

Falls of Hills Creek (lower 1)Falls of Hills Creek in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Falls of Hills Creek is actually three waterfalls. This one is the lower of the three and is about 65 feet tall. Falls of Hills Creek (lower 2)Falls of Hills Creek in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Falls of Hills Creek is actually three waterfalls. This one is the lower of the three and is about 65 feet tall.

On pointA dragonfly (specifically a blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)) rests on the point of an unopened lotus flower.

On a sunny day,

Dragonflies eat mosquitos,

A smile adorns my face.

Blue, Purple, and GreenA blue dragonfly rests on a purple pond flower (pickerel rush (Pontederia codata)), with a lush green background.

Dragonfly HandstandA dragonfly (specifically a blue dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)) perched on the point of an unopened lotus flower appears to be doing a handstand.

Sunset from Hawksbill SummitA sunset viewed from the summit of Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, featuring a beautiful sky, lush forests, and jagged rocks. Hawksbill summit is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park. The summit of Hawksbill Mountain is the highest point in Shenandoah, with an elevation of 4,050 feet (1,234 meters).

I recently returned to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It's one of my favorite places and I try to visit often. During my last visit, I climbed to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. At 4,050 feet (1,234 meters), it's the highest point in Shenandoah and a really great place to shoot a sunset, like the one above.

I also visited South River Falls. There are many waterfalls in Shenandoah. This one isn't the tallest or the most frequently visited, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. I love the tranquility of the space, enclosed by lush forest. I suspect it would be more frequently visited if the trail were a little less steep and a little less rocky.

Tranquility at South River FallsSouth River Falls in Shenandoah National Park, featuring the waterfall, a tranquil pool, lush vegetation, and moss covered rocks.

I actually took numerous photos of South River Falls. I really like the angle and composition of the first one, but the second one (below) is also quite nice with the sun peeking through the foliage.

Peeking at South River FallsThe late afternoon sun peeks through a lush tree canopy on the South River Falls waterfall, moss covered rocks, and a tranquil pool in Shenandoah National Park.

While in Shenandoah, I also stopped by Big Meadows late at night. It was a mostly clear night without any moon. Those are perfect conditions for astrophotography. The following is a photo of the galactic core of the Milky Way stretching above the meadow.

Big Meadows Milky WayA starry sky over Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park, featuring the galactic core of the Milky Way galaxy.

Sunset on WashingtonThe sun sets on Washington, D.C. Featuring the Washington skyline, the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the Capitol, and dramatic clouds.

A couple of weeks ago, NASA had scheduled to launch a rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. I thought it might make for a nice photo to shoot the Washington, D.C., skyline with the rocket rising in the distance. Unfortunately, NASA scrubbed the launch because of high winds. However, while I was waiting around for the launch, I got some great photos of the D.C. skyline at sunset. I've found that planning is an important part of landscape photography. An equally important part is being able to adapt when your plans don't work out.

Clouds Over the Washington SkylineThe Washington skyline shortly before sunset. Featuring the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and dramatic clouds.

Sunshine on LincolnThe sun shines a spotlight on the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., as the sun starts to set. Also featuring the Capitol and the Washington skyline.

Last Rays of Light on WashingtonThe last rays of sunlight hit the Washington Monument and the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as the sun dips below the horizon. Also featuring the Lincoln Memorial and dramatic clouds.

Spring twilight at the Tidal BasinSpring twilight at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during the cherry blossom bloom. Featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Spring dawn at the Tidal BasinSpring dawn at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during the cherry blossom bloom. Featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Spring sunrise at the Tidal BasinSpring sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during the cherry blossom bloom. Featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

This year, winter in Washington was long and dreary. We had lots of that hybrid rain and snow that we call “wintry mix.” It seemed like it would never end, but now it has. I cannot imagine a more dramatic end to such a winter than the arrival of cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. It’s a truly magnificent sight. I feel so blessed to live here in Washington and to be able to experience the arrival of spring with the cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossoms at first lightCherry blossoms lit with the early morning sun. New growthA new twig with blossoms grows forth from a cherry tree.

Sitting RegallyA bald eagle sits regally on a bare branch in Washington, D.C.

I recently came across a bald eagle here in Washington, D.C. I was very excited to see it and have my camera with me! I absolutely love raptors, especially bald eagles, and I'm thrilled to have these photos!

Ruffled FeathersA bald eagle with ruffled feathers sits on a bare branch in Washington, D.C.

Sitting AlertA bald eagle sits on a bare branch in Washington, D.C.

This bald eagle wasn't the only bird I saw recently. I also came across this blue jay. We don't have a lot of blue jays here in Washington and I'm very fond of of these birds too. I feel very fortunate to get this photo.

Blue JayA northern blue jay at rest.

On the other hand, we do have lots of ducks here in Washington. Here are two mallards. I love the coloring of male mallards.

Two MallardsA male mallard duck and a female mallard duck swim in the Potomac River.

We also have lots of birds of the metallic kind, such as this jetBlue passenger airplane taking off from National Airport.

Metallic Blue BirdA Jet Blue passenger jet airplane takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

I had no idea that January could be such a great time to shoot birds.

Capitol Christmas ReflectionsEarly morning at the Capitol. The Capitol dome and the 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree are reflected in the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Also visible is the inauguration stage that is under construction.

Every year, I try to shoot the Capitol Christmas Tree. Usually I shoot it just after sunset, when the tree lights are on, but it's not so dark that the sky turns black. This year, I decided to try shooting just before sunrise. However, I wasn't sure whether it would work at that time of day and the overcast sky did not look promising.

When I arrived, the reflecting pool was perfectly placid, creating an amazing mirror image of the Capitol and tree. Then, after taking only two pictures, the wind picked up and destroyed the reflection. I might have packed up to go home then. The cloud cover was discouraging. An overcast sky should have ensured a drab sunrise. Instead, I stuck around and only five minutes later, the sun found a small break in the clouds, right along the horizon, and turned the sky a brilliant fuchsia color.

Fuchsia skies and Capitol Christmas TreeBrilliant fuchsia skies over the Capitol just before sunrise, featuring the 2020 Capitol Christmas Tree and the inauguration stage under construction.

It was a brilliant sunrise! I'm glad I experimented with the sunrise and stuck it through after the wind picked up. Incidentally, if you look past the Christmas tree, you can see the inauguration stage under construction in the background.

Autumn twilight at the Tidal BasinAutumn twilight at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Sometimes when you hear or read about ugly things in the news, it's nice to go outside and watch a sunrise. It can be a powerful reminder that the world is a beautiful place.

Here are a few photos from a recent, peaceful morning at the Tidal Basin. The world is a beautiful place.

Autumn cherry trees at the Tidal BasinTwilight at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the cherry trees with fall foliage and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Autumn sunrise at the Tidal BasinThe sun rises at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., while the cherry trees show off their fall foliage.

Autumn morning at the Tidal BasinA peaceful autumn morning at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

Autumn at Boulder BridgeAutumn with fall foliage at Boulder Bridge in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.

Autumn is now in full swing here in Washington, D.C. The leaves take a little longer to turn here because the weather stays warm longer. The fall foliage first appears in the north and west and then gradually makes its way here. When it finally arrives, one of the best places to appreciate it is in Rock Creek Park.

Here are two recent photos from Rock Creek Park. The first is of Boulder Bridge and the second is of the rapids just north of Rapids Bridge. I shot them both with a polarizer to get rid of glare from the water. I think they turned out great.

Autumn and RapidsFall foliage and rapids in Rock Creek, Washington, D.C.

A walk in the woodsA gentle autumn stroll through the woods near Lake Laura in Basye, Virginia.

Autumn is arguably the nicest season in the Mid-Atlantic region. The weather can be very pleasant, with the sun shining and the temperatures being neither too hot, nor too cold. It's a great time to be outside.

I took the photos of the path in the woods near Lake Laura in Basye, Virginia. The covered bridge is Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge, which is near Mount Jackson, Virginia.

Meem's Bottom Covered BridgeMeem's Bottom Covered Bridge near Mount Jackson, Virginia. A covered bridge and a red antique truckA red antique 1931 pickup truck drives out of Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge near Mount Jackson, Virginia. A beautiful pathA trail through the woods on a beautiful autumn day near Lake Laura in Basye, Virginia.

2020 Autumnal Equinox Sunrise on H Street 1The sun rises during the autumnal equinox on the H Street corridor in Washington, D.C., and featuring the DC Streetcar.

2020 Autumnal Equinox Sunrise on H Street 2The sun rises during the autumnal equinox on the H Street corridor in Washington, D.C., and featuring the DC Streetcar.

I took these photos last week. We had clear skies, warm temperatures, and some haze from the large forest fires way over on the West Coast. It's amazing that the fires were so large that they affected the atmospheric conditions here on the East Coast.

2020 Autumnal Equinox Sunrise on H Street 3The sun rises during the autumnal equinox on the H Street corridor in Washington, D.C., and featuring the DC Streetcar.

Pink and purple over the CapitolA summer sunset brings pink and purple skies to the Capitol, while the dome of the Capitol is reflected in the skylight of the Capitol Visitor Center after a recent rainstorm.

I took this photo of the Capitol after a recent rainstorm. The glass in the foreground is from one of the big skylights for the Capitol Visitor Center, which lies entirely underground. The puddles are from a recent rainstorm, which also produced the beautiful sky.

The Milky Way and the MeadowThe Milky Way over a meadow. Summer in West Virginia.

A couple of weeks ago, we made the short drive to West Virginia for a socially-distant vacation. It was great to get out of DC for a while. I feared that all the rain we had been having in DC would follow us, but we were blessed with clear skies. I normally curse clear skies, since bright blue skies are boring in landscapes, but this time they presented an opportunity: astrophotography. Clear skies and the lower level of light pollution in West Virginia allowed me to shoot the Milky Way. I took several photos. The one above may be my favorite, but it’s tough to decide.

Milky Way over the TreesA view of the Milky Way, high above a forest in West Virginia.

The following is a photo of the Milky Way over the cabin we stayed in. The only lights I left on in the cabin were very dim nightlights. The lights appear bright because I took a very long exposure (50 seconds) and even a little nightlight is much brighter than starlight.

The Cabin and the Milky WayThe Milky Way hovers over a cabin. Summer in West Virginia.

Our visit also coincided with the peak for the Perseid meteor shower. Unfortunately, the clouds moved in while I was trying to shoot the meteors. Here's one that I caught while I was in Cacapon Resort State Park:

Meteor over CacaponA meteor during the Perseid meteor shower appears over Cacapon Resort State Park in West Virginia on a cloudy summer night.

The night sky was not the only subject that I shot while we were in West Virginia. I took some landscapes as well. I like the following. It’s a photo of the Potomac River and Great Cacapon at dusk. I really like the color.

Dusk on the Potomac and Great CacaponDusk falls on the Potomac River and Great Cacapon. Summer in West Virginia.

Sunset on Stony Man 1The summer sun sets over the town of Luray and Lake Arrowhead; viewed from the summit of Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Sunset on Stony Man 2The summer sun sets over the town of Luray and Lake Arrowhead; viewed from the summit of Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Those of you who follow my work closely know that I've shot many landscapes in Shenandoah and I normally shoot sunrises. Shooting a sunrise means that afterwards I can drive back home to D.C. and have the rest of my day to get things done and spend time with my family. Sunsets can be problematic, so staying in Luray was an opportunity. I think my sunset photos turned out great and I hope you agree.

Twilight from Stony ManOn a hot summer’s night, dusk falls on the town of Luray and Lake Arrowhead. Viewed from the summit of Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

I didn't just shoot sunsets while we were staying in Luray, I also shot a sunrise. I think the following turned out quite nicely as well.

A hot summer dawn in ShenandoahDawn on a hot summer’s day in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

A hot summer sunrise in Shenandoah 1A hot summer sunrise in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

A hot summer sunrise in Shenandoah 2A hot summer sunrise in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

The house we rented near Luray was actually on a dairy farm just outside of town. It was very scenic. Here's a view from the house:

Virginia dairy farm 1A hot summer’s day on a dairy farm outside Luray, Virginia.

There was plenty of excitement on the farm. My boys enjoyed seeing the cows and some rabbits hopping around. What we weren't expecting was a glider to make an emergency landing in a cornfield right next to the house. Fortunately, the pilot was okay and it seems the glider was not badly damaged:

Glider in a CornfieldA glider that made an emergency landing in a cornfield outside Luray, Virginia.

Twilight at Rock CreekMoments before sunrise at Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. I took this photo a little north of Rapids Bridge where the creek consists of fast-flowing water, i.e. rapids. The National Park Service says that this portion of the creek is the "fall zone—the geologic transition zone where the harder rock of the Piedmont Plateau meets the softer, sedimentary rock of the Atlantic Coastal Plain".

So, I got a new ultra-wide angle lens, the Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR. I've been very excited to play with it. 8mm is extraordinarily wide on a crop-sensor camera like my Fuji X-T4. It allows me to take some photos that I simply couldn't take before. So, to try it out, I waited for a cloudy day and visited Rock Creek Park. For this photo above, I got up very early. I didn't see a soul on any of the trails when I got there. Because it was so dark, it was actually hard from the trail to see any good places to shoot from, but I did eventually find one. I mounted my camera on my tripod, set the lens to its widest setting, and mounted a polarizer on the lens using a Haida M15 filter holder. I needed the polarizer to reduce the glare on the water, especially on the lefthand side. I then set my exposure very low, so as not to blowout the sky, and there we have it!

Springtime at Boulder BridgeAn early spring morning at Boulder Bridge and Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C.

Once the sun came up, I ventured up and down the river. I like this one (above) of Boulder Bridge. Again, I shot it with my tripod and polarizer. For the photo below, I used both the polarizer and a 6-stop neutral density filter so that I could use a slower shutter speed and get that nice soft look for the water. All-in-all, I think my visit to Rock Creek was a fun and successful excursion. I'm looking forward to playing with my new lens some more.

Lush Green at Rock CreekRock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. I took this photo a little north of Rapids Bridge where the creek consists of fast-flowing water, i.e. rapids. The National Park Service says that this portion of the creek is the "fall zone—the geologic transition zone where the harder rock of the Piedmont Plateau meets the softer, sedimentary rock of the Atlantic Coastal Plain".

Mother's Day Flowers 20202020 Mother's Day flowers from fleursDC.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Rising TogetherOn May 2, 2020, the United States Air Force demonstration squadron (the Thunderbirds) and the United States Navy demonstration squadron (the Blue Angels) conducted a 20-minute joint flyover of Washington, D.C., as a salute to frontline COVID–19 responders. The airplanes featured in this photo are the Thunderbirds as they participated in the flyover.

On May 2, the United States Air Force demonstration squadron (the Thunderbirds) and the United States Navy demonstration squadron (the Blue Angels) conducted a 20-minute joint flyover of Washington, D.C., as a salute to frontline COVID–19 responders. This was a very exciting event for me. We rarely get flyovers in Washington and it is very rare for the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds to fly together.

The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds TogetherOn May 2, 2020, the United States Air Force demonstration squadron (the Thunderbirds) and the United States Navy demonstration squadron (the Blue Angels) conducted a 20-minute joint flyover of Washington, D.C., as a salute to frontline COVID–19 responders. The Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels are rarely seen performing together.

I had hoped that I might be able to get a photo of the planes flying in front of the Washington skyline, but it didn't work out from my vantage point. They were flying just a bit too high. However, they were close enough for me to get shots of the planes, which, for me, is exciting enough.

Blue Angels in FormationOn May 2, 2020, the United States Air Force demonstration squadron (the Thunderbirds) and the United States Navy demonstration squadron (the Blue Angels) conducted a 20-minute joint flyover of Washington, D.C., as a salute to frontline COVID–19 responders. The airplanes featured in this photo are the Blue Angels as they participated in the flyover.

The cherry tree greets the dawnA lone cherry tree in bloom with the Washington Monument at dawn at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

The cherry blossoms are in bloom at the Tidal Basin here in Washington, D.C. We've all been self-quarantining at home, like much of the world, because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The bloom seemed like a good excuse to get out of the house and, at the time, we were merely being asked to practice social distancing (keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from others) rather than being asked to stay at home. Fortunately, landscape photography is a solitary endeavor.

A quiet morning for reflection at the Tidal BasinSunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, cherry blossoms, ducks, and a park bench.

In previous years, the cherry blossom bloom in Washington brought large crowds. While the biggest crowds usually formed in the afternoon, parking would start to become scarce at the Tidal Basin as early as 5 a.m. Photographers from all over would flock to the Tidal Basin to shoot the sunrise and the cherry trees, and you had to jockey for position to get your shot. This year was very different. 

Sunrise and cherry blossoms (vertical)Sunrise and cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and a park bench.

There were no crowds this time. While I did see other photographers and sightseers out there, it was easy to keep a distance of at least 6 feet. That was great for safety reasons, considering the pandemic, but it was also more pleasant and it opened up some more photographic opportunities. There is no way that, in any previous year, I would have been able to get these photos of the park benches without people sitting on and standing around them—well, that is, unless the weather were truly terrible, in which case I wouldn't be there either. The weather this year was quite nice, and that made for an overall pleasant experience.

Sunrise and cherry blossoms (horizontal)Sunrise and cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and a park bench.

Of course, that was my experience this year when I visited the Tidal Basin at a very early hour. I understand that within a couple of days of my visit to the Tidal Basin, the D.C. government shut down all the nearby parking and closed the two nearest Metro stations in order to discourage large crowds. I'm glad I made it when I did and that it was not crowded.

Cherry blossoms at high tideCherry trees and minor flooding from high tide at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

I hope you all enjoyed my photos. Stay safe!

Snowless Winter Dawn in West VirginiaOverlooking Blackwater Canyon and the Blackwater River at dawn on a very cold, snowless, winter morning in West Virginia.

We've been having a snowless winter here in Washington, D.C., so we decided to make a short trip to the mountains of West Virginia to play in the snow. Unfortunately, the week before our trip, it was warm, it rained, and all the snow melted. Then, right before we got there, it got cold again. If it's going to be cold, shouldn't one at least be rewarded with some snow? Well, we did find a fun sled run with manmade snow and I did capture this photo of Blackwater Canyon and the Blackwater River. I think it turned out quite nicely, even if there wasn't any snow. I took the photo at dawn, when the temperature was about 17℉ (about -8℃). Brrrrrrrr.

A cluster of coastal redwood treesA cluster of coastal redwood trees at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California.

In January, I went out to California to visit some family. While I was out there, I had a chance to visit a few of the sites, most notably, the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It was a beautiful day and the coastal redwoods were magnificent!

A path among tall treesA path among tall trees in the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California.

Looking up at tall treesLooking up at tall coastal redwoods in the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, California.

I also had an occasion to see the Golden Gate Bridge, possibly the most photographed bridge ever. It's a beautiful suspension bridge that spans the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide strait that connects the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.

The Golden Gate BridgeThe Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge from the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County in California, separating the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It opened in 1937, is 4,200 feet long, and 746 feet tall.

The bridge is 4,200 feet long and 746 feet tall. That's really impressive. You actually have to stand pretty far back to see the entire thing. I got some great photos of it. I was blessed with beautiful skies and great weather.

The Golden Gate BridgeThe Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge from the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County in California, separating the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It opened in 1937, is 4,200 feet long, and 746 feet tall.

I was also lucky to get this great shot of a cruise ship exiting the bay while a container ship was entering. I assume that the container ship was heading to the Port of Oakland, while the cruise ship was likely coming from the Port of San Francisco. The ships added a really nice sense of scale. The addition of a beautiful sunset capped off a really good visit to the Golden State.

Big ships and big bridgesA large cruise ship and a cargo ship pass by each other under the Golden Gate Bridge in California.

Snowless winter in rural MarylandA view of rural Maryland from attop Sugarloaf Mountain on New Year's Day, 2020.

So I didn't manage to shoot the Capitol Christmas Tree this year. Things got a little hectic just before the holidays, but it's just as well, since the Reflecting Pool is under construction, along with part of the south wing of the Capitol. We also haven't had any snow yet, so I don't think I would have taken a particularly compelling photo even if I had tried. However, I did manage to find something else shortly after Christmas. On New Year's Day, I took my family hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland. I'd never been to Sugarloaf before. Other than suffering from a bit of chilly weather, we enjoyed ourselves quite a bit. I especially enjoyed the beautiful views of rural Maryland, including this one shown above. I will certainly visit Sugarloaf again.

Columns and FoliageFall foliage and the National Capitol Columns at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

Fall came late this year and it seems to be leaving early. It has already started getting cold and cloudy. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet, so here's a nice sunny photo of fall foliage at the National Arboretum by the National Capitol Columns. It's too bad the season didn't last longer. At least we have some things to look forward to. Soon, it will be time for me to take my annual photo of the Capitol Christmas Tree.

Autumn at Blackwater Falls 1Autumn at Blackwater Falls in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

Autumn took a while to get here. We had had a lot of warm weather, which delayed the fall foliage. When it did arrive, it was beautiful as always. Autumn is possibly my favorite time of year (but ask me in late spring and I might say the same thing about spring). I try to take advantage of the weather and beautiful scenery to shoot landscapes. Here are a couple that I took of Blackwater Falls, West Virginia, from a recent trip out there with my family. (The name comes from the tannins in the water.)

Autumn at Blackwater Falls 2Autumn at Blackwater Falls in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

Wild Ponies 1Wild ponies and an egret at the Chinctoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia.

Recently, my family and I made a trip to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island in Virginia. The wildlife refuge is known for the wild ponies that live on the island and is made famous by the beloved novel Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry. I enjoyed reading the book to my kids and it was fun for all of us to see the ponies in real life. I was also happy to get some great photos of the ponies, including a foal.

Wild Ponies 2Wild ponies, including a mare and her foal, in the Chinctoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia.

Wild Ponies 3Wild ponies, including a mare and her foal, in the Chinctoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia.

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is also home to a lot of birds. I've never seen so many egrets all at once!

Flock of EgretsA flock of egrets takes flight in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, Virginia. A Pair of EgretsTwo egrets enjoy some late afternoon sunshine on Assateague Island in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia.

The wildlife isn't the only draw to Assateague. The scenery is beautiful. The following is a series from a sunrise that I shot.

Blue Hour in ChincoteagueHigh tide and storm surge covers grassland at dawn on Chincoteague Island. Assateague Island is visible off in the distance. Golden Hour in ChincoteagueHigh tide and storm surge covers grassland at dawn on Chincoteague Island. Assateague Island is visible off in the distance. Golden Hour in ChincoteagueHigh tide and storm surge covers grassland at sunrise on Chincoteague Island. Assateague Island is visible off in the distance.

I took the sunrise shots from a stretch of grassland between Chincoteague Island and Assateague Island. This area normally wouldn't be so full of water, but at the time there was a storm further out to sea, so we were experiencing both high tide and storm surge at the same time. Here's a photo of the road between the two islands—it's completely under water.

High Tide and Storm Surge at Chincoteague Wildlife RefugeStorm surge and high tide washing over the road between Chincoteague and Assateague Island. The Assateague Lighthouse is visible in the distance. Besides the water flowing over the road, you can see the Assateague Lighthouse off in the distance. It's a beautiful old structure that's still in use by the Coast Guard. Here are a couple more photos of the lighthouse:

Assateague Lighthouse and ForestThe Assateague Lighthouse and forest at dawn, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island, Virginia.

Assateague LighthouseAssateague Lighthouse

In case you were confused earlier when I mentioned Chincoteague Island: Chincoteague Island is located next to Assateague Island. The town of Chincoteague is located on Chincoteague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the ponies are located on Assateague Island. I don't know why the wildlife refuge, which is located on Assateague is named after Chincoteague.

Anyway, since it's almost Halloween, here's a photo that I took while I was on Chincoteague of the October full moon (also known as a "Hunter's Moon" or "Blood Moon"). I think the cloud cover makes it look a bit creepy and thematically appropriate. Happy Halloween!

Hunter's MoonClouds cover full moon in October. According to Moongiant.com, October’s full moon is commonly called the Hunter’s Moon, harkening back to European and Native American traditions where hunters would use the light of the full moon to track down their prey and stock up for the coming winter. Contrary to popular belief, the Hunter’s Moon isn’t actually bigger or brighter than usual. It simply rises earlier, soon after sunset, which would give hunters plenty of bright moonlight to hunt by during the early evenings. To Neo Pagans, however, the Hunter’s Moon is known by a far more morbid name - the Blood Moon.

Lake flowersSunset over Lake Wesauking and summer flowers.

Summer officially ended with the autumnal equinox on September 22, but the heat continued to linger here in Washington. Just two days ago the high was 97℉!. When I got up this morning, it was 50℉. It's looking like autumn may be here for real. Farewell summer!

Frog eyesA frog peers out of a marsh.

Recently, I went hiking with my family at Huntley Meadows. It's a great place to see wildlife near Washington, D.C. However, since we were going in the late morning, I wasn't expecting to see much in the way of wildlife. Most of the animals are active early in the morning or late evening, especially when it's hot out, as it has been lately. So, I left my big telephoto lens at home and brought a small telephoto, just in case.

Sure enough, the clouds came out, the temperature dropped, and the animals came out in play. I was glad to have that smaller telephoto. It would have been nice to bring the bigger lens, but I think some of these turned out great. The first photo (above) is my favorite. The frogs seemed especially plentiful.

Frog in the mudA frog sits in a muddy marsh.

The birds were out as well. The first one below (off in the distance) is an egret. The next one is a green heron and the last is a great blue heron.

Huntley MeadowsAn egret in the distance in Huntley Meadows, Virginia.

Green heronA green heron stalks around the marsh.

Great Blue Heron Standing TallA great blue heron standing tall.

MonarchA monarch butterfly sits on a large flower.

The following are some recent dragonfly photos. I am particularly fond of dragonflies; they eat mosquitos! They look cool too. Dragonflies are definitely my friends.

Tattered wingsA dragonfly with tattered wings. Briefly at restA dragonfly rests on the stalk of a lotus. Ready to flyA dragonfly ready to take off.

Summer Sunset on the Susquehanna RiverThe sun sets over the Susquehanna River and the Terry Township’s rolling farmland in northern Pennsylvania.

Not far from Towanda, Pennsylvania, where I took the photos of the fireworks that I featured in my last blog post, I came across a really great vista overlooking the Susquehanna River and the Terry Township's rolling farmland.

I shot this photo from the top of a cliff about 500 feet above the river. I'm especially excited about the calm river and how it perfectly reflects the partly cloudy sky. I could hardly ask for better! Next time I'm up in the area, I'll have to make sure to return to the same spot. I'd love to see what it's like in the fall.

Incidentally, the location is not just beautiful, but also historic. A nearby sign, posted by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, says: "Warriors Path: A great Indian highway from Six Nations country, New York, to the Catawba country in the Carolinas. It made its way through the Allegheny Mountains by following the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys."

Fireworks bloom over Lake WesaukingColorful fireworks over Lake Wesauking in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in celebration of Independence Day (July 4).

Sparkles above Lake WesaukingFireworks sparkle over Lake Wesauking in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in celebration of Independence Day (July 4). Fireworks explode over Lake WesaukingFireworks explode over Lake Wesauking in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in celebration of Independence Day (July 4).

Morning at the CapitolEarly morning picture of Capitol, east side, 3 days before inauguration day

I recently had the opportunity to go on a tour of the dome of the Capitol. It was a great experience. We climbed more than 300 steps to a tiny balcony at the very top of the Capitol Rotunda. You can see the balcony in the following photo, along with a bit of the Apatheosis of Washington (the fresco overlooking the Rotunda).

Capitol Dome Inside BalconyThe balcony at the top of the Capitol Rotunda, just inside the Capitol Dome, with a view of the Apatheosis of Washington. Here's a view looking down on all the tourists in the Rotunda. You can sure feel some vertigo up there!

Down from inside the Capitol DomeView of the Capitol Rotunda; looking down from the inside of the Capitol Dome. The Capitol actually has two domes. One is inside the other. When they built the north and south expansions of the Capitol, the previous dome looked out of proportion to the new larger building, so they added a larger dome over the smaller one. Here's a view from between the two domes. As you can see, while the domes appear to be made of stone, they're actually made of iron and painted white.

Between the domesBetween the interior and exterior domes of the Capitol.

After climbing to the top of the interior dome, we climbed outside onto a small balcony at the top of the outer dome. The view was breathtaking.

Scenic view from the dome of the Capitol 2View of Washington, D.C., from the top of the dome of the Capitol.

Mission NG–11 LaunchA Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launches from the NASA flight center at Wallops Island carrying the Cygnus spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station.

Recently, a neighbor asked if we would like to join his family on a trip out to the Eastern Shore of Virginia to watch NASA launch a rocket to resupply the International Space Station. Yes, we would! I had never seen a rocket launch before and everyone in the family was excited. It just so happened that the launch was during our kids' spring break and the launch was unusually scheduled for mid-afternoon (as opposed to late at night or very early in the morning). It was the perfect opportunity and it turned out to be a great experience!

Northrop Grumman AntaresA Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launches from the NASA flight center at Wallops Island carrying the Cygnus spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station.

The launch was part of a series of missions to resupply the International Space Station. In this case, NASA launched a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket with a Cygnus spacecraft that held supplies and materials for science experiments, including mousetronauts! 

Needless to say, I took a lot of photos. Sadly, we were pretty far from the launch site. Looking at the map, I figure we were about 3½ miles away. I used my Fujifilm X-T2 with the Fujinon XF 100-400mm and a 1.4x teleconverter (840mm full-frame equivalent focal length), which in layman's terms means I zoomed in a lot. My framing was perfect and I had a great view.

Unfortunately, it was a warm day and the sun generated heat waves (heat shimmer) that wrecked any fine detail I might get from my photos. Heat waves bend light, which distorts an image. The effect is more pronounced the further you are from your target. In this case, I was very far from my target. The only way I could have avoided the effects of the heat waves (heat shimmer) would have been to get closer (not an option) or shoot at a different time of day (also not something I could control). Oh well, I had lots of fun and got some great photos of my kids and . . . I got to see a really cool event! We were lucky because launches have been canceled at the last minute for various reasons, including a plane flying into restricted airspace.

JWB3_190417_4007-hdrFujifilm X-T2 with Fujinon XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR mounted with a 1.4x teleconverter (840mm equivalent on full frame sensor) pointed at the rocket launch pad at NASA's Wallops Island facility, waiting for the launch of the Northrop Grumman Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft on a resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Blossoms in the Morning SkyJust before sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., while the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

It's spring and here in Washington, D.C., that means cherry blossoms! It also means lots of tourists and terrible traffic jams. Fortunately, most people like to sleep in when they're on vacation. There are no crowds at 5:30 a.m. Early morning at the Tidal Basin during peak bloom is quiet and beautiful. Here are a few photos that I took on April 2.

Purple Morning Skies and Blossoms over JeffersonJust before sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., while the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Purple Morning Skies and Blossoms over Jefferson 2Just before sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., while the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Blossoms in the Morning Frame the CapitolMorning at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., with cherry blossoms in the foreground and the Capitol in the distant background.

First Light at the Capitol and Washington MonumentDawn on the day of the spring equinox in Washington, D.C., featuring the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

March 20 was the spring equinox. The equinox is the semiannual event in which the sun rises and sets along the equator. For a landscape photographer, this is significant because it means that the sun rises directly from the east and sets directly to the west. The National Mall, in Washington, D.C., runs east to west, which can make for some nice photos during the equinox. I shot this first photo (above) at dawn. The second photo (following) I shot right before sunrise. The third photo is the sunrise itself, with the sun peeking out from behind the Capitol and the Washington Monument. And finally, the fourth photo, is the Lincoln Memorial with the sunrise shining on Lincoln's face.

Just Before Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting PoolBright skies just before sunrise on the day of the spring equinox in Washington, D.C., featuring the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Sunrise at the Reflecting PoolSunrise on the day of the spring equinox in Washington, D.C., featuring the Capitol, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Sunlight on LincolnMorning sunshine on the Lincoln Memorial on the day of the spring equinox in Washington, D.C.

Kilgore Falls in Black and WhiteKilgore Falls in black and white. Located in the Falling Branch area of Rocks State Park in Maryland.

Last week, I decided to head out and visit someplace new. So, I went to Kilgore Falls in the Falling Branch area of Rocks State Park in Maryland. I didn't know what to expect, but I hoped for something great, and it was. Rocks State Park is in the heart of rural, scenic Maryland. The trail to the waterfall was beautiful and tranquil and the waterfall was magnificent. I had fun taking this photo.

Washington Monument and Snowy Tidal BasinThe Washington Monument and snow covered cherry trees at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

It's snowing again today, so I thought I might share some more photos from our last big snowstorm, which happened a couple of weeks ago. Washington is always beautiful when it snows.

Winter Sunrise at the Tidal BasinA cold, snowy winter sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thoms Jefferson Memorial and bare cherry trees.

This next photo is interesting because I got photo bombed by one of the helicopters operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1 "Nighthawks"). This helicopter squadron is known for transporting the President and the Vice President.

Winter Flyby at the Thomas Jefferson MemorialOne of the helicopters operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1 "Nighthawks") flying near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial on a very cold and snowy morning at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Helicopter Squadron One is known for transporting the President and Vice President of the United States. When a helicopter is carrying the President, it has the call sign "Marine One" and when it is carrying the Vice President, it has the call sign "Marine Two".

Full Wolf Supermoon Total Lunar EclipseSeries of images of a full supermoon in January. The first two images are of the Earth's penumbral shadow reaching across the moon and leading up to a total lunar eclipse. After two images of the total lunar eclipse are two images of the Earth's penumbral shadow receding.

Last Sunday night, we experienced an unusual lunar event. We had a total lunar eclipse of a full supermoon. It was absolutely gorgeous! I took this series of photos between 10:54 PM on Sunday and 1:33 AM on Monday. I was lucky that the sky was clear, but it was extremely cold. The temperature was 19º F with 21 mph winds gusting up to 40 mph.

The first two images in the series are of the Earth's penumbral shadow reaching across the moon and leading to the total lunar eclipse. After two images of the lunar eclipse are two images of the Earth's penumbral shadow receding from the moon. The moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse because the only light hitting the moon consists of rays of sunlight that are passing through the Earth's atmosphere, turning red in the same way that they do during a sunset. It is because of this red color that a total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a "blood moon".

A supermoon is a full moon or a new moon that nearly coincides with perigee—the closest that the moon comes to the Earth in its elliptic orbit—resulting in a slightly larger-than-usual apparent size of the lunar disk as viewed from Earth. (Supermoon, Wikipedia (Jan. 27, 2019).) The fact that we had a full supermoon that coincided with a total lunar eclipse made this event extraordinary.

Each month's full moon has a name associated with it from folklore and past culture. According to National Geographic, January's full moon is known as the "Wolf Moon". American Indians and medieval Europeans named January's full moon after the howling wolves lamenting the midwinter paucity of food. Other names for January's full moon include "old moon" and "ice moon". Personally, I like "wolf moon".

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Covered in Snow and IceThe Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial covered in snow and ice. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a national memorial in Washington, D.C. It commemorates the civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. It was carved by Lei Yixin.

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. It was also the first mostly clear day after a big snowstorm. So I went over to the Tidal Basin to shoot the sunrise and this photo of Martin Luther King Jr. looking very cold. I will share my sunrise photos soon, but figured posting this one now would be timely. I hope you all enjoy the long weekend for Martin Luther King Jr. day. I plan to use some of that time to reflect upon his legacy.

2018 Capitol Christmas Tree v2The 2018 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the United States Capitol. This year, the tree was chosen from the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The tree was harvested on November 2, 2018, and traveled to Washington, D.C., by truck.

Above is a photo of the 2018 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the United States Capitol, here in Washington, D.C. This year, the tree came from the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. It was harvested on November 2 and traveled to Washington by truck.

Below is another photo I took of this year's Capitol Christmas Tree. I like this angle and the colors. Enjoy!

2018 Capitol Christmas TreeThe 2018 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the United States Capitol. This year, the tree was chosen from the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The tree was harvested on November 2, 2018, and traveled to Washington, D.C., by truck.

Fall color at the Capitol 1Fall color at the United States Capitol.

Autumn is finally here. The trees around Washington, D.C., appeared to reach their peak color around Thanksgiving. This is highly unusually. Normally the trees would be completely bare by Thanksgiving. Better late than never! I shot these two photos of the Capitol framed in fall foliage the day after Thanksgiving.

Fall color at the Capitol 2Fall color at the United States Capitol.

First Light at Chimney RockDawn at Chimney Rock in Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. The fall foliage is just starting to turn.

Congress was out of session in October to give members time to campaign for the November election. I took a few vacation days and used the opportunity to get out and shoot some fall foliage. Here, at the end of October, I drove out to Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland. Catoctin is a national park that is relatively close to D.C. It also happens to be where Camp David, the Presidential retreat, is located.

I didn't actually go anywhere near Camp David, which is off limits to park visitors anyway. I wanted to shoot the sunrise at Chimney Rock, which is in a different part of the park. As you can see, even though it was late October, many of the trees had yet to turn. Nature decided this year that autumn should begin a month later. Nevertheless, it was a very pretty sunrise and I think I captured some great colors.

The Color Before SunriseDawn, just before sunrise, at Pinnacles Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

In mid-October, I made the trek over to Shenandoah very early in the morning. It was a beautiful morning. Well, all mornings in Shenandoah are beautiful, but this was an especially beautiful morning. The clouds were perfect and I got some really great color in the sky. I love such mornings. However, one thing was quite strange. In a normal year, all of the leaves would have turned by mid-October. This year, the trees were still very green. I attribute this to the oddly warm weather we'd been having.

Green Autumn SunriseSunrise at the Hazel Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The forest is still full of green. Normally, by this time of year, the trees would have turned and started dropping all of their leaves.

After shooting the sunrise, I went for a hike on one of my favorite trails, viz. Whiteoak Canyon. I've shot Upper Whiteoak Falls before (spring and fall). This was my first time hiking further downstream and shooting Lower Whietoak Falls. It was very pretty.

Lower Whiteoak FallsLower Whiteoak Falls in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

MonticelloMonticello was the home and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and architectural significance.

Last month, I headed down to Charlottesville, Virginia, with my family to visit Monticello, the home and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and the author of the Declaration of Independence. According to our tour guide, the plantation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is recognized not for the historical significance of its former occupant, but for its architectural significance. Thomas Jefferson was an innovative architect and for his home at Monticello, he mixed various architectural styles and included many of his own innovations.

After visiting Monticello, we headed down to visit the University of Virginia. The school was founded by Thomas Jefferson and he designed some of the first buildings, including The Rotunda, which you can see in the following two photos.

The RoundaThe Rotunda at the University of Virginia. According to Wikipedia, “It was designed by Thomas Jefferson to represent the 'authority of nature and power of reason' and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed shortly after Jefferson's death in 1826. The grounds of the new university were unique in that they surrounded a library housed in the Rotunda rather than a church, as was common at other universities in the English-speaking world. The Rotunda is seen as a lasting symbol of Jefferson's belief in the separation of church and education, as well as his lifelong dedication to both education and architecture.”

According to Wikipedia, The Rotunda "was designed by Thomas Jefferson to represent the 'authority of nature and power of reason' and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed shortly after Jefferson's death in 1826. The grounds of the new university were unique in that they surrounded a library housed in the Rotunda rather than a church, as was common at other universities in the English-speaking world. The Rotunda is seen as a lasting symbol of Jefferson's belief in the separation of church and education, as well as his lifelong dedication to both education and architecture."

The Rotunda 2The Rotunda at the University of Virginia. According to Wikipedia, “It was designed by Thomas Jefferson to represent the 'authority of nature and power of reason' and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed shortly after Jefferson's death in 1826. The grounds of the new university were unique in that they surrounded a library housed in the Rotunda rather than a church, as was common at other universities in the English-speaking world. The Rotunda is seen as a lasting symbol of Jefferson's belief in the separation of church and education, as well as his lifelong dedication to both education and architecture.”

Clouds at Pinnacles OverlookClouds overtake the view at Pinnacles Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

After stopping at Pinnacles Overlook, we drove to Skyland and hiked up Stony Man. Unfortunatley, by the time we got to the peak, low clouds moved in to obstruct our view. Here's a photo I took just before the clouds completely obstructed our view.

Fogged in at Stony ManLow clouds and fog roll in, obscuring the view from Stony Man in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

All was not lost (photographically). After departing the Stony Man parking area, we came across the Thorofare Mountain Overlook and got a great view of the clouds creeping over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Peeking Above the CloudsLow clouds in Shenandoah from the Thorofare Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Looking Across Mountains and Clouds 2Low clouds in Shenandoah from the Thorofare Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Looking across mountains and cloudsLow clouds in Shenandoah from the Thorofare Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

We had a fun time on the hike and the views with the clouds rolling in were wonderful. I hope you enjoyed my photos. I have some more coming from subsequent trips to Shenandoah and Catoctin. Stay tuned!

I started out shooting some of the countryside. The area had been experiencing a tremendous amount of rain. With all of the heavy cloud cover, I didn't get to see any sunsets, but the grass was very green. I really liked this red barn that I found in the Wysox Township nearby. I took lots of photos. These are my favorite three.

Red Barn and Road at DuskA red barn, corn fields, and a road at dusk in the Wysox Township, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Big Sky and Red Barn at DuskA red barn, corn fields, and a road at dusk in the Wysox Township, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Nightfall on WysoxCut grass, a red barn, corn fields, and a road at nightfall in the Wysox Township, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

I tried for another sunset on a second night, but the cloud cover was even heavier.

Grass at duskHeavy clouds at dusk over grass and farmland in the Rome Township, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

I really like this old barn I found in the Rome Township of Towanda. The ivy growing up the side of the barn in the following photo and the old red tractor next to the barn in the next photo are both picturesque.

Heavy Clouds and Barn with IvyHeavy clouds and a barn with ivy growing on it at dusk in the Rome Township, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Barn with Tractor at DuskAn old barn with and old, red tractor at dusk in the Rome Township, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Of course I couldn't visit Lake Wesauking without actually taking any pictures of the lake. As with my sunset attempts, the clouds blocked the sunrise, but I did nevertheless get some nice color. I really like the texture in the clouds reflected in the perfectly tranquil lake.

Resting Sailboats at DawnSailboats at rest on Lake Wesauking at dawn in Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Sailboats and a Cloudy SunriseSailboats on tranquil waters with a cloudy sunrise at Lake Wesauking, Towanda, Pennsylvania.

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.

Marine Corps War Memorial SunstarSunrise at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) with snow on the ground. The Marine Corps War Memorial is located in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It was designed by Felix de Weldon (sculptor) and Horace W. Peaslee (architect).

Next Monday is Memorial Day. I took the image above and the image below at the Marine Corps War Memorial (also known as the "Iwo Jima Memorial") back in March. I really like these images and I would have published them sooner, but I thought publishing them right before Memorial Day would be appropriate.

Snow at the Marine Corps War MemorialEarly morning at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) with snow on the ground. The Marine Corps War Memorial is located in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It was designed by Felix de Weldon (sculptor) and Horace W. Peaslee (architect).

Supreme Court and Cherry BlossomsCherry blossoms at the Supreme Court on a windy morning in Washington, D.C. Tidal Basin Sunrise with BlossomsSpring sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, cherry blossoms, and the Capitol (off in the distance). Japanese Tea Lantern at the Tidal BasinThe Japanese tea lantern at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., featuring cherry blossoms and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in the background. Springtime at the CapitolSpring at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., with the cherry trees in bloom.

MLK BloomCherry blossoms and the Stone of Hope during sunrise at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The wreaths placed against the Stone of Hope were placed on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Last Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. I was at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial the day after and took the above photo. On the day of the anniversary, the National Council of Churches held an all day rally to combat systemic racism. They gathered in the morning at the Memorial and marched to the National Mall. I assume they left the wreaths at the Stone of Hope (in the photo above).

The anniversary coincidentally coincided with the peak bloom of the cherry blossoms. Normally huge crowds of tourists would be gathered at the memorial and around the Tidal Basin to admire the cherry blossoms. However, instead of encountering crowds on the morning after the anniversary, I found a quiet and solemn sunrise. It seemed appropriate.

I took some photos of the sunrise as well, but I wanted to publish my photos of the Memorial first. This next photo is of the Memorial two days later.

Springtime at the Martin Luther King Jr. MemorialCherry blossoms and the Stone of Hope at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The wreaths placed against the Stone of Hope were placed two days earlier on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Dawn on the MonumentsPurple clouds at dawn over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, Arlington Memorial Bridge, and the Potomac River.

In March, I love to shoot the monuments in Washington, D.C. The vernal equinox is in March, so the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. The monuments also happen to be laid out mostly in a line from east to west. Here are two photos, one shortly before sunrise and one at sunrise, featuring the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and Arlington Memorial Bridge. 

Sunrise on the PotomacThe sun rises on the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, Arlington Memorial Bridge, and sweep rowers on the Potomac River.

While I was out having fun shooting the sunrise, I noticed lots of robins out looking for worms. They sure look well fed!

American Robin, Side ProfileEarly morning light shines on the side profile of an American robin. American Robin, Front ProfileEarly morning light shines on the front profile of an American robin.

This one is of Blackwater Falls. Low clouds and light rain brought out some great color in the fall foliage around the falls.

Blackwater Falls Framed by Autumn FoliageAutumn at Blackwater Falls in West Virginia.

In this one, you can see the low clouds creeping through Blackwater Canyon.

Autumn in Blackwater CanyonFall foliage and low clouds in Blackwater Canyon, West Virginia.

I've taken some photos of the Falls of Elakala before. It's a beautiful, tranquil spot. This time I figured I'd include the bridge over the falls.  The Bridge and the Falls of ElakalaAutum at the Falls of Elakala in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

I got up early to shoot the sunrise from Pendleton Overlook. My view of the sunrise ended up being obstructed, so I turned away and shot the other direction. In this one you can see the full moon is still out while the clouds start to light up with the first rays of the morning sun.

Moon over Blackwater CanyonA full autumnal moon at dawn hovers over Blackwater Canyon in West Virginia.

Lindy Point is one of my favorite places in Blackwater Falls State Park. My luck with the clouds seemed to hold. I like this one quite a bit, along with the following photo. After the sun dropped below the horizon, the clouds turned purple.

Colorful Sunset at Lindy PointThe sun sets on Linday Point with fall foliage in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

Dusk at Lindy PointDusk at Lindy Point with fall foliage in Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia.

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Giant Black and Yellow Garden SpiderA giant black and yellow garden spider.

Incidentally, it was a beautiful day at Huntley Meadows.

A Sunny Day at Huntley MeadowsA sunny day at Huntley Meadows in Virginia.

The Photographer's Ephemeris says sunrise will be at 6:38 atop the mountain. We want to be there for dawn as well, which begins at 6:10. We should be there no later than 6:00, so we have a few minutes to setup for the shoot. And we'll have to hike to get there. The National Park Service says the hike is of moderate difficulty, but short—only a 1 hour hike, round trip. So, we should make sure to be at the trailhead by 5:30 at the latest. Apple Maps says it's a 2.5 hour drive, so we'd better leave by 3:00. Getting up at 2:30 should be fine, as long as we setup the coffee maker the night before (we'll need it) and pack the gear ahead of time.

So we head out at 3:00 in the morning. It's temping to go back to bed, but the coffee is helping. The drive is going great until we get into further out into the Piedmont region. It's still dark, fog is settling in, and there are lots of deer along the side of the road. We'll have to slow down a bit to stay safe. Keep your fingers crossed we make good time—we would feel really silly getting up at 2:30, drive out all this way, and then miss the sunrise!

Fortunately, we get there on time. There are almost no cars on the road and just one other car in the parking lot at the trailhead. So, we don our head lamps and set off. We'll have to hike at a brisk pace. It's not easy going though—much of the trail consists of a rock scramble and everything is harder in the dark. Here's an iPhone photo of the trail:

JWB3_170825_0138The rock scramble portion of the Bearfence Mountain trail in Shenandoah National Park as seen with a head lamp at night.

The trail isn't quite as bad as it seemed at first. We make it up just in time for dawn.

Summer Dawn from Bearfence MountainA summer dawn in Shenandoah National Park as seen from Bearfence Mountain.

It's pretty atop the mountain, but a little chilly and a little windy. We'll have to experiment with our camera settings to compensate for the wind. It won't do to have all the foliage blurry. ... And then the sun comes up:

Summer Sunrise from Bearfence MountainA summer sunrise in Shenandoah National Park as seen from Bearfence Mountain. It's very pretty, but too bad there aren't any clouds. One of the special things about Bearfence is that from the peak you have a 360-degree view of Shenandoah. In fact, if we turn around, we can see that there are clouds coming in from the west.

Low Clouds over the Blue Ridge MountainsMorning low clouds approach from the west in Shenandoah National Park, as seen from Bearfence Mountain.

Speaking of which, turning around is difficult. We're literally standing on a bunch of rocks at the top of the mountain. If we take a step backwards, we'll fall down the other side of the mountain. Oh and let's look at those clouds gain. Wow, they're moving fast!

Low Clouds Approaching BearfenceLow clouds quickly approach Bearfence Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.

And then:

JWB_170825_4688Low clouds engulf Bearfence Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. Well, there goes our special 360-degree view of Shenandoah! I guess we might as well pack up and continue onto the second part of the trail and climb back down. We have more rock scramble ahead of us:

Bearfence Rock Scramble in FogLow clouds and the second half of the rock scramble leading away from the panoramic view atop Bearfence Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. Blue blazes mark the trail.

The trail is a bit ho-hum in the fog. We find a little lookout along the trail and stop to eat sandwiches. There's nothing to see but fog. After eating, we head out again. Further along the trail, there's a moment  when the sun pushes its way through the fog and foliage. We'll have to get the camera back out for this!

Forest Light Through the FogThe sun peeks through summer foliage and low clouds on the trail from Bearfence Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.

That was a fun hike. We're back in the car now. It's getting close to mid-morning. We might as well drive north and start heading back. Mid-morning light usually makes for bad landscapes. But we got some good stuff and we might get back home in time for a late lunch.

On our drive north, we pass by some beautiful vistas. The patchy clouds are casting shadows on the forest below:

Patchy Clouds Over ShenandoahPatchy clouds cast shdaows upon the Blue Ridge Mountains and forests in Shenandoah National Park. We stop at the visitor center at Big Meadows to fill the water bottles. The view from the visitor center looks great. The low clouds have followed us north.

Low Clouds Over Big MeadowsFog and low clouds pass through Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park. We might as well walk on down into the meadow while we're here!

When we get down into the meadow, the clouds are starting to lift and the light is a little harsh, but it's still very pretty.

Summer in Big MeadowsLow clouds at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park.

And then the clouds have lifted.

Blue Skies Over Big MeadowsA sunny summer day at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park. Well, I'd say that was a productive morning! We had a fun hike, got to see something new, and have a few great photos for our efforts. Let's head on home!

Giant Water LiliesGiant Victoria water lilies (Victoria Amazonica or Victoria Regia) in bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Also in bloom in August is the blue lotus—also a beautiful sight:

Blue LotusA blue lotus (Nymphaea Caerulea) in bloom at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

I found both the Victoria and the blue lotus at Kenilworth. While I was there, a great blue heron stopped by to squawk hello:

Squawking HeronA great blue heron squawks at the world.

JWB_170901_4963Photos hanging in the boys' room: Zamboni in Arlington, streetcar in Rome, and Amtrak diesel locomotive in Washington.

Christmas ZamboniA Zamboni (with a Christmas tree in the background) being used to prepare the ice at an outdoor ice skating rink in Arlington, Virginia. Italian StreetcarItalian streetcar in Rome, Italy. Amtrak #159Amtrak locomotive #159 arriving at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Amtrak #159 is a GE P42DC, which is Amtrak's primary road diesel. The P42DC was introduced in 1996. It weighs 133.000 short tons (118.750 long tons; 120.656 t) and can travel up to 110 mph. Engine output is 3,550 horsepower.

The P42DC is part of the General Electric Genesis series of passenger locomotives produced by GE Transportation Systems for Amtrak, Metro-North, and Via Rail. There are a few unique things about the Genesis series of locomotives. First, they have a low height, allowing them to travel through low-profile tunnels in the Northeast Corridor. It is the only Amtrak diesel locomotive that meets the clearance or loading gauge requirements on every Amtrak route.

Second, they use a single, monocoque carbody design, thus making the locomotive lighter, more aerodynamic, and more duel efficient than its predecessors. However, this design makes it more costly and time-consuming to maintain and repair.

Finally, it is also a fully computerized locomotive that automatically controls all onboard functions, thus producing high reliability while keeping the maintenance requirements low.

GE Genesis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GE_Genesis&oldid=722660946 (last visited June 2, 2016).

Butterfly and Wildflowers 2A butterfly lands on a yellow wildflower.

Butterfly and WildflowersA butterfly lands on a yellow wildflower.

Purple Dawn, Lake WesaukingSummer and dawn at Lake Wesauking, Wysox, Pennsylvania. Lake Color at SunriseSummer sunrise at Lake Wesauking, Wysox, Pennsylvania. Blue Hour at the Lake HouseSummer and dawn at Lake Wesauking, Wysox, Pennsylvania. Blue Hour at the LakeShades of blue at dawn at Lake Wesauking, Wysox, Pennsylvania.

Red Queen 1A circus performer plays the Part of the Red Queen during an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by Circus Juventus at Circus Arts, part of the 2017 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival.

Red Queen 2A circus performer plays the Part of the Red Queen during an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by Circus Juventus at Circus Arts, part of the 2017 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival.

Summer Sunrise on Hawksbill SummitView of the summer sunrise from the summit of Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. I took that shot at a bit before 6:00 AM. I took the following at 5:20 AM:

Summer Skies at Dawn from HawksbillSummer skies at dawn from the summit of Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

And I was home by lunchtime.

The Capitol dome with pink and purple fireworksFireworks explode behind the Capitol dome in Washington, DC, on July 4, 2017.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Sunset over FlorenceCityscape of Florence, Italy, at sunset.

Cloudy Sunset Over FlorenceCityscape of Florence, Italy, during a cloudy sunset.

Nightfall on FlorenceFlorence, Italy, cityscape after sunset.

Nightfall on Florence panoramaPanorama of Florence, Italy, after sunset.

Pink skies over FlorencePink skies at twilight over Florence, Italy.

Duomo ExteriorThe Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower (often referred to as the "Duomo" because of the cathedral's giant dome) in Florence, Italy.

Duomo and CityscapeThe dome of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower (known as the "Duomo") in Florence, Italy.

Giotto's CampanileGiotto's Campanile (bell tower) viewed from the dome of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence, Italy.

The Vatican and River Tiber at TwilightTwilight on Saint Peter's Basilica, the Ponte Sant'Angelo, and the River Tiber in Rome, Italy.

Castel Sant'Angelo and Ponte Sant'AngeloThe Castle of the Holy Angel and the Ponte Sant'Angelo over the River Tiber at night in Rome, Italy.

St. Peter's SquareView of St. Peter's Square from atop the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

The Altar of the FatherlandThe Altar of the Fatherland in Rome, Italy.

Dawn at the Altar of the FatherlandThe Altar of the Fatherland in Rome, Italy, at early dawn.

Forum DawnDawn at the Forum in Rome, Italy.

I was in Rome in March, during the off season. Besides small crowds, there was one really nice advantage: I was there for the vernal equinox. The vernal equinox is when the plane of the Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun, which occurs twice each year, once in the fall and once in the spring. The significance for most people is that during the equinox, day and night are approximately the same duration. For a photographer, the significance is that the sun rises and sets almost directly east to west. The Forum stretches east to west, with Capitoline Hill at the western edge and the Colosseum at the eastern edge. I was therefore able to capture the following sunrise: 

Forum SunriseSunrise at the Forum in Rome, Italy.

Colosseum Blue HourBlue hour, early in the morning at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Colosseum Cloudy DawnA cloudy dawn at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Colosseum Morning CloudsEarly in the morning with heavy clouds over the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Colosseum InteriorThe Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Colosseum Colorful SkiesColorful skies over the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

SAS WingletSAS flight departing Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and heading to Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH).

Pink Tidal Basin SunrisePink sunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Peeking Through the Wall at the JeffersonView of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., from behind a wall, during sunrise, and while the cherry trees are in bloom. Low Hanging Cherry BlossomsCherry trees in bloom at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

Christmas at the Capitol, 2016The 2016 United States Capitol Christmas Tree is an 80 foot Engelmann Spruce from the Payette National Forest in Idaho.

2016 United States Capitol Christmas TreeThe 2016 United States Capitol Christmas Tree is an 80 foot Engelmann Spruce from the Payette National Forest in Idaho. Close-up of the 2016 United States Capitol Christmas TreeThe 2016 United States Capitol Christmas Tree is an 80 foot Engelmann Spruce from the Payette National Forest in Idaho.

Autumn Color at the Potomac RiverAutumn sunrise at Great Falls and the Potomac River in Virginia.

Purple Flowers and ColumnsPurple flowers by the Capitol Columns at the National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.

Falls Under a Golden CanopyGolden colors adorn the trees at Dark Hallow Falls in Shenandoah, Virginia. Golden FallsGolden colors adorn the trees at Dark Hallow Falls in Shenandoah, Virginia.   Misty Golden FallsGolden colors adorn the trees at Dark Hallow Falls in Shenandoah, Virginia.

Autumn Sunrise in ShenandoahAutumn sunrise from the Hazel Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Sunrise on HSunrise over the H Street corridor in Washington, DC, the day after the autumnal equinox.

DC SunriseSummer sunrise over Washington, D.C.

Here's another shot from a little earlier (dawn, before sunrise):

D.C. DawnSummer dawn. Washington, D.C.

August Sunrise Over WashingtonSunrise, Washington, DC, August, 2016.

Union Station, Before Rush HourMorning at Union Station, shortly before rush hour.

Train Tracks Into and From Union StationTrain tracks heading into and out of Union Station. The NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood is to the left and the Near Northeast or Old City neighborhood is to the right. The road spanning the panorama is H Street.

Misty Summer SunriseEarly morning summer sunrise at Great Falls in Virginia.

VultureA vulture at Great Falls in Virginia.   Young Buck 1A young buck walks through the forest.   Young Buck 2A young buck at Great Falls, VA.

Great Falls PanoramaSummer morning at Great Falls, VA, panorama.

The Corpse FlowerThe corpse flower (amorphophallus titanum) is an enormous and rare flower. It gets its name from the putrid stench it emits. A corpse flower blooms no more frequently than once every 3 years and can sometimes go decades between blooms. Once in bloom, a corpse flower may remain in bloom for only 24 to 48 hours and then it quickly collapses. This particular corpse flower at the United States Botanic Garden is 7 feet and 4 inches tall.

This week, a corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) bloomed at the United States Botanic Garden. It's an enormous and rare flower that gets its name from the stench it emits. The flower that bloomed at the Botanic Garden this week was 7' 4"! It was also six years old this week when it bloomed for the first time. Some corpse flowers go decades between blooms and the blooms typically only last for 24–48 hours. I felt very fortunate to shoot this corpse flower. I had never seen a flower nearly so large. It was quite a sight to behold.

Lotus in ShadeLotus flower in the shade on a very sunny summer day at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC.

A Dragonfly and Two BulbsA blue dragonfly (Great Blue Skimmer, Libellulidae family) lands on a lotus bulb at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC.

The Heron and the BeeA green heron encounters a bee at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC.

Rock Creek Blossoms 1Tree blossoms hanging over Rock Creek in Washington, DC. Rock Creek Blossoms 2Tree blossoms along Rock Creek in Washington, DC.

It's interesting to see how they modified the photo from the original. Here's my photo, which I licensed to Capital Concerts for promotion of the concert:

Red, White, and Blue V1Red, white, and blue fireworks explode over the Capitol dome in Washington, DC, on Independence Day.

Click here to see a closer crop of this same image.

Here is how the photo appears on Yahoo! TV:

Amtrak #2003Amtrak trainset #2001 arrives at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Trainset #2001 is a Bombardier Acela Express (usually referred to simply as "Acela"). Acela is Amtrak's flagship and high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor. Acela trains are the fastest trainsets in the Americas; the highest speed they attain is 150 mph (240 km/h) in revenue service. Acela trains use tilting technology, which helps control lateral centrifugal forces, allowing the train to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved Northeast Corridor without disturbing passengers.

The first Acela trainset entered service on December 11, 2000.

Acela Express, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acela_Express&oldid=722885592 (last visited June 2, 2016).

I normally don't shoot by request, but for my three-year-old, I've made an exception and shot a series of Amtrak trains. I didn't know much about trains previously, but I learned quite a lot while shooting the series. So, I'll share the series along with a little bit of what I learned.

The following represents Amtrak's basic lineup of locomotives, starting with a GE P42DC, which is Amtrak's primary road diesel. It was introduced in 1996 and can travel up to 110 mph.

Amtrak #159Amtrak locomotive #159 arriving at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Amtrak #159 is a GE P42DC, which is Amtrak's primary road diesel. The P42DC was introduced in 1996. It weighs 133.000 short tons (118.750 long tons; 120.656 t) and can travel up to 110 mph. Engine output is 3,550 horsepower.

The P42DC is part of the General Electric Genesis series of passenger locomotives produced by GE Transportation Systems for Amtrak, Metro-North, and Via Rail. There are a few unique things about the Genesis series of locomotives. First, they have a low height, allowing them to travel through low-profile tunnels in the Northeast Corridor. It is the only Amtrak diesel locomotive that meets the clearance or loading gauge requirements on every Amtrak route.

Second, they use a single, monocoque carbody design, thus making the locomotive lighter, more aerodynamic, and more duel efficient than its predecessors. However, this design makes it more costly and time-consuming to maintain and repair.

Finally, it is also a fully computerized locomotive that automatically controls all onboard functions, thus producing high reliability while keeping the maintenance requirements low.

GE Genesis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GE_Genesis&oldid=722660946 (last visited June 2, 2016).

The P42DC features an extra low height, allowing it to travel through low-profile tunnels in the Northeast Corridor. It also features a single, monocoque carboy design, which makes the locomotive lighter, more aerodynamic, and more fuel efficient than previous Amtrak diesel locomotives. However, this design makes it more costly and time-consuming to maintain and repair.

Below is a Siemens ACS–64 (also known as the "Amtrak Cities Sprinter"). The ACS–64 is an electric locomotive operated by Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor. The first Amtrak ACS–64 entered service in February of 2014. It can accelerate 18 Amfleet cars to maximum speeds as high as 125 mph in the Northeast Corridor in a little more than 8 minutes.

Amtrak #626 at Union StationAmtrak locomotive #626 at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Amtrak #626 is a Siemens ACS–64 (also known as the "Amtrak Cities Sprinter"). The ACS–64 is an electric locomotive operated by Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor.

The first Amtrak ACS–64 entered service in February of 2014. It can accelerate 18 Amfleet cars to maximum speeds as high as 125 mph in the Northeast Corridor in a little more than 8 minutes.

The design is based on the EuroSprinter and the Vectron platforms, which Siemens sells in Europe and Asia. Significant structural changes to the design were made to comply with American crashworthiness requirements, including the addition of crumple zones and anti-climbing features as well as structural strengthening of the cab, resulting in a heavier locomotive than the previous models. The body is a monocoque structure with integral frames and sidewalls.

The ACS–64 has advanced safety systems, including specialized couplers designed to keep trains from rolling over, jackknifing, or derailing during a collision. Additionally, they are more energy-efficient than the older models Amtrak operated in the Northeast Corridor. They lack dynamic braking grids in favor of 100% regenerative braking, depending on grid receptiveness. Energy generated from the brake may also be utilized to meet HEP needs, further reducing current draw from the grid.

Siemens ACS-64, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siemens_ACS-64&oldid=722367613 (last visited June 2, 2016).

The design of the ACS–64 is based on various platforms that Siemens sells in Europe and Asia and has significant structural changes to the design to comply with American crashworthiness requirements. The body is also a monocoque structure with integral frames and sidewalls. The ACS–64 has advanced safety systems and is more energy-efficient than the older Amtrak locomotives.

Amtrak #2001Amtrak trainset #2001 arrives at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Trainset #2001 is a Bombardier Acela Express (usually referred to simply as "Acela"). Acela is Amtrak's flagship and high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor. Acela trains are the fastest trainsets in the Americas; the highest speed they attain is 150 mph (240 km/h) in revenue service. Acela trains use tilting technology, which helps control lateral centrifugal forces, allowing the train to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved Northeast Corridor without disturbing passengers.

The first Acela trainset entered service on December 11, 2000.

Acela Express, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acela_Express&oldid=722885592 (last visited June 2, 2016).

In the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak also operates Acela Express trainsets. (The term "trainset" refers to a group of rolling stock that are permanently or semi-permanently coupled.) Acela is Amtrak's flagship and high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor. Acela trainsets can attain speeds as high as 150 mph, making them the fastest trainsets in the Americas. Acela trainsets use tilting technology, which helps control lateral centrifugal forces, allowing the them to travel at higher speeds on the sharply curved Northeast Corridor without disturbing passengers.

Amtrak #597Amtrak #597 operating at Union Station in Washington, DC.

Amtrak #597 is a National Railway Equipment 2GS12BR diesel genset switcher. A switcher is a locomotive used for assembling trains and moving railroad cars around. A diesel genset is a diesel locomotie that uses multiple high-speed diesel engines and generators, rather than a single medium-speed diesel engine and a single generator.

Amtrak has some additional locomotives in service that are a bit less glamorous than the Acela trainsets. These locomotives are "switchers." A switcher is a locomotive used for assembling trains and moving railroad cars around. They aren't generally used for pulling cars between destinations. Above is a National Railway Equipment 2GS12BR diesel genset switcher.

So, I had some fun shooting these trains and I learned a lot more about Amtrak than I ever knew before. My son is also very happy with the photos, which is the most important thing.

The Visionary Framed By BlossomsThe statute of Martin Luther King, Jr., framed by cherry blossoms, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC.

I have a couple of additional cherry blossom photos to share with everyone. I like this one (above) of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, framed by cherry blossoms. The following is a photo of a cherry tree at the Tidal Basin in bloom, but from a high vantage point. I like the mix of color and the unusual perspective.

The Start of SpringA yoshino cherry tree begins to blossom at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC.

Happy spring, everyone!

Friendship and Good WillMorning at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., while the yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom. A nearby plaque from the National Capital Sesquicentenial Commisson of 1950 reads: "The first Japanese cherry trees presented to the City of Washington as a gesture of friendship and good will by the city of Tokyo, were planted on this site, March 27, 1912.

Open and ClosedBlossoms from a yoshino cherry tree. When I'm at the Tidal Basin, I mostly shoot scenic landscapes, but I do also like close-ups of the blossoms.

Blossoms over WaterBlossoms from a yoshino cherry tree extend over water.

In another recent post, I presented a scenic photo of the Tidal Basin just before sunrise, when the Tidal Basin hadn't yet reached full bloom (March 22). Here's a similarly framed shot taken on March 24th, the first day of full bloom. What a difference two days can make!

Pink Skies and Full BloomPink skies over the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., while the yoshino cherry trees are in full bloom.

So, I decided to shoot local. Last week, I posted some images that I shot at the Tidal Basin shortly after Snowzilla, the great Washington snowstorm of 2016. But I really wanted to shoot some snow in a wilderness setting. Fortunately for me, we have a bit of wilderness right in the heart of Washington, namely Rock Creek Park.

Boulder Bridge with snowBoulder Bridge and Rock Creek in Washington, DC, covered in deep snow. My first stop was to Boulder Bridge, one of the most iconic features of Rock Creek Park. It wasn't very easy getting there with all the snow, but it was worth it. The creek was mostly frozen over, which allowed me to get the shot above without getting swept away in the rapids. I think the amount of snow and the unusual vantage point make the photo unique and quite compelling.

I took this next photo of the creek from Rapids Bridge. The height gave me a nice perspective and you can see just how much snow we received.

Rock Creek with snowSnow and ice cover Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC. I took lots of photos of the snow in Rock Creek Park, but I normally prefer only to post one or two at a time. However, I like this next one as well, so I'm posting a third. It's a classic shot of Boulder Bridge, but with snow and this time with a bit more blue sky.

Blue skies over snow-covered Boulder BridgeBlue skies over a snow-covered Boulder Bridge and Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.

With all this snow and ice, the creek looks a bit tame. However, in the parts I've been shooting, it's anything but tame. For a fun comparison, here are two photos I took of the creek a couple of years ago in the early fall:

Fall Color at Rock CreekFall foliage around Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC. Autumn at Rock CreekFall foliage around Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.

Sunstar over a frozen Tidal BasinThe Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, is frozen over after Snowzilla, one of the largest snowstorms in DC history. The shore is blanketed with snow and a woman sitting on a half buried park bench checks her phone while the setting sun forms a sunstar as it peeks through the bare branches of a cherry tree.

Snow, cherry tree, and a sunstarThe sun sets on a snow covered Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The sun peeks through the bare branches of a cherry tree, forming a sunstar. Two feet of snow is quite a lot for a city like Washington, which normally doesn't ever receive more than a couple of inches of snow at a time. While many saw the storm as a big headache (it shut down the entire city for days), others saw it as an opportunity for sledding and snowball fights. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to shoot some landscapes.

Snowy sunset on the Jefferson MemorialThe sun sets behind a filter of high clouds at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, after one of the biggest snowstorms in DC history.

All these images are from the Tidal Basin, one of my favorite places in Washington. The panoramas feature the Thomas Jefferson Memorial at sunset. I think they all turned out great and I had a lot of fun shooting them. I will follow-up soon with another blog post featuring some more images I shot just after the storm.

Panorama of a snowy Tidal Basin at sunsetPanorama sunset of the Tidal Basin and Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, and the skyline for Arlington, Virginia, after one of the biggest snowstorms in DC history.

Have a Merry Warm ChristmasThe 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree on an unusually warm December day in Washington, DC. The tree, a 74' Lutz spruce, came from the Chugach National Forest in Alaska.

Above is the 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree. It's a 74' Lutz spruce that came all the way from Church National Forest in Alaska.

Have a merry warm Christmas!

John Baggaley Photography exhibit at Artomatic 2015.

If you didn't get a chance to see my exhibit, I put together an online gallery of the photos I featured in the exhibit. See the gallery here.

Clear Sky Autumn Sunrise in ShenandoahAutumn sunrise in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, with beautiful fall foliage and clear skies.

Autumn at Whiteoak Canyon FallsFall foliage around Whiteoak Canyon Falls in Shenandoah, National Park, Virginia.

• Where: 8100 Corporate Drive, Hyattsville MD (right by the New Carrollton Metro Station).
• When: Saturday, November 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.
• Exhibit location: 3-062.

Artomatic is on! Opening night was Friday night and my exhibit looks great! It will run through December 12, so there's plenty of time to go out and see it. There are several hundred other artists exhibiting too, so it's quite a fun event. (For more information about schedule and location, see my previous blog post.)

If you're interested in purchasing one of the signed, framed prints in the exhibit, send me an e-mail. Otherwise, I made an online gallery of the exhibit, where standard prints, with and without framing, canvas gallery wraps, and metal prints are available for purchase.

I am please to announce that Artomatic 2015 is finally here! After a 3 year hiatus, Artomatic is returning and once again,  I will be exhibiting my work. I am putting together a really great exhibit this year and I can't wait to show it off. If you would like to see it in person, stop on by! My exhibit will be on display for six weeks, starting October 30. Here are all the details:

Artomatic 2015 will feature hundreds of visual, creative, and performing art. There will be several bars throughout the building. It's a great opportunity to grab a drink and check out some really amazing, eclectic, and in same cases down right bizarre art.

Dawn on H StreetDawn on the H Street corridor in Washington, DC. Busses whiz by and clouds block what would have been a glorious sunrise on the autumnal equinox.

Streetcars on H StreetSunrise on the H Street corridor in Washington, DC, during the autumnal equinox. Low clouds block the sun, providing soft, filtered light as commuters try to get to work. The new DC Streetcars are out for testing. Unfortunately, the clouds didn't cooperate. Low lying clouds blocked the sunrise on the morning of the Autumnal Equinox. However, all was not lost. The clouds filtered the sunlight, casting a warm glow on the corridor. Moreover, the new DC Streetcars were out for testing, which was a fun treat and made for some nice photos.

Blue Hour on H StreetDawn on the H Street corridor in Washington, DC. Featuring tower cranes, construction, early morning traffic, and the new DC Streetcar.

The H Street corridor has seen a lot of change in the past few years and it's nice to see how things are improving. The change is quite evident in the following two photos. I shot the first photo last week and the second on January 10, 2012.

Morning Traffic Flow on H StreetDawn on the H Street Corridor in Washington, DC. Featuring early morning traffic flows.   H Street Night TrafficTraffic at night on H Street NE, Washington, DC. H Street is an up and coming neighborhood in Washington, with lots of new bars and restaurants. The trolly tracks are new. The trolly should begin operation in 2013. The big pit on the left is ongoing construction of a large grocery store.

Not only is the DC Streetcar new, but several new large buildings have gone up and more are on the way. The H Street corridor is a vibrant and growing part of Washington.

Supermoon Eclipse Under a Veil of CloudsOn September 27, 2015, North America was treated to a lunar eclipse with a supermoon. A supermoon is when the moon is at its closest point to the earth all year—meaning it appears 14% bigger and 30% brighter. The reddish color is characteristic of an autumnal full moon—frequently known as a "harvest moon" or a "hunter's moon".

Unfortunately, Washington, DC, experienced significant cloud cover. Getting a good shot of the supermoon during the eclipse was almost impossible. To get this shot, I had to wait for a break in the quickly moving clouds and then take a quick shot before the clouds covered it back up again. This proved to be quite challenging.

Fortunately, I did get something, at least to document the occasion. The bottom right corner of the moon in the photo is where sunlight is reflecting off the moon. The rest of the moon is in a shadow created by the earth. The reddish color is characteristic of an autumnal full moon—frequently known as a "harvest moon" or a "hunter's moon".

Peeking from behind LincolnThe setting sun peeks from behind the pillars of the Lincoln Memorial just a few days before the Autumnal Equinox.

There are only two days each year when the sun sets directly to the west (the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool face east). On the Autumnal Equinox and the Vernal Equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. Every other day, the sun rises and sets in a slightly different location—a bit to the north or south. This means you really have to plan ahead and be patient. The window of opportunity is very small. If it had been cloudy when I took this shot, I probably would have had to wait another six months.

Orange Starburst and LincolnThe sun sets just to the right of the Lincoln Memorial, forming a starburst, just a few days before the Autumnal Equinox.

I took these shots on Friday, a few days before the Autumnal Equinox, which is on Wednesday. I needed the sun to set slightly to the side of the Lincoln Memorial. With a little bit of luck and a lot of planning, I got what I wanted. I think the shots turned out great.

Green MajestySide profile of a brown and white butterfly with green highlights.

Brown Butterfly, Green LeafA brown butterfly rests on a green leaf.

Blue Butterfly, Orange FlowerA black, white, and blue butterfly looks to take off from an orange flower.

Black, Yellow, and WhiteA black, yellow, and white striped caterpillar on a green stalk.

CirclesVictoria water lillies at Kenilworth.

Purple water lilyA purple Victoria water lilly at Kenilworth. ThreeVictoria water lillies at Kenilworth.

The following isn't actually a Victoria water lily, but rather a winter hardy water lily. I shot it when I shot the Victoria water lilies. I like the strong contrast of the single white flower against all the dark green. 

OneOne winter hardy water lilly at Kenilworth.

One Before the OtherTwo pink lotuses, early in the morning.

One of the ThreeThree lotus flowers in early morning light.

A Field of Pink Lotus FlowersMorning in a field of pink lotus flowers. Pink TranslucencyMorning sun shines through pink lotus petals.

Orange Fireworks, Blue SmokeOn Independence Day, 2015, in Washington, DC, orange fireworks explode behind the Washington Monument while smoke billows up from cannon fire. The cannons fired during the playing of the 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra on the west front of the Capitol. Blue Fireworks, Blue SmokeOn Independence Day, 2015, in Washington, DC, blue fireworks explode behind the Washington Monument while smoke billows up from cannon fire. The cannons fired during the playing of the 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra on the west front of the Capitol. Orange Fireworks and a Hazy MonumentOn Independence Day, 2015, in Washington, DC, orange fireworks explode behind the Washington Monument. Low clouds and heavy haze create an otherworldy atmosphere. Red Fireworks and a Hazy MonumentOn Independence Day, 2015, in Washington, DC, red fireworks explode behind the Washington Monument. Low clouds and heavy haze create an otherworldy atmosphere. Orange and Yellow Fireworks, Smoke, and the Washington MonumentOn Independence Day, 2015, in Washington, DC, orange and yellow fireworks explode behind the Washington Monument. Low clouds and heavy haze create an otherworldy atmosphere.

Relaxed PandaTian Tian, the male giant panda at the National Zoo.

Shake It OutTian Tian, the male giant panda at the National Zoo.

Panda in ZenTian Tian, the male giant panda at the National Zoo.

Jefferson and Cherry Blossoms at SunriseA scenic morning at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Cherry trees in bloom frame the Jefferson Memorial and ducks swimming.

And here's one from earlier in the morning. The clouds were much more cooperative before sunrise.

Blue MorningDawn at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Featuring the Washington Monument and dramatic clouds reflected in the Tidal Basin.

Harpers Ferry SunsetThe sun sets on a warm summer day over Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, while two freight trains cross the junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers.

My photo of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was recently published in the spring issue of Long Weekends magazine. It's on page 42 and looks great. The caption reads: "Because of its breathtaking scenery, Harpers Ferry was once cited by art historians as the most 'painted town' in America." I took the photo last year after a challenging hike to the top of Maryland Heights.

A Pair of CorsairsA pair of Vought F4U Corsair fly in formation as part of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. These planes flew as part of the thirteenth formation of the flyover, the "Iwo Jima" formation. According to the Washington Post, "The gull-winged Corsair was the first U.S. fighter to exceed 400 mph in level flight. Late to enter carrier service because of landing gear problems, it became famous flying from island bases in the Pacific with such squadrons as the Black Sheep Squadron led by Marine Corps ace Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington. The Japanese called it 'Whistling Death,' and it served through World War II and the Korean War. It served in Central American air forces until the early 1970s.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 41 ft.
Length: 34 ft.

On May 8, 2015, the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, a diverse array of World War II aircraft flew over the skies of Washington, D.C., to honor the heroes who fought in World War II and those at home who produced the tanks, ships, and aircraft that enabled the United States and its Allies to achieve victory.

The flyover took place just after noon, so I was able to attend merely by running across the street to watch during my lunch break. I was able to get out on the west front terrace of the Capitol. There was quite a crowd.

Anticipating the FlyoverCrowds gather on the National Mall and on the west terrace of the Capitol in anticipation of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, May 8, 2015.

The aircraft flew in 15 historically sequenced formations. Each formation represented a major battle of the War. Here are some of my favorites. (Click on the photos for more information.)

The following two photos are of North American AT-6/SNJs flying in the first formation, the "Trainer" formation. I've seen a lot of these in movies about World War II.

In FormationA fleet of North American AT-6/SNJ fly in formation as part of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. These planes flew as part of the first formation of the flyover, the "Trainer" formation. According to the Washington Post, "Army, Navy and Marine pilots learned how to dogfight and shoot in this single-engine advanced trainer, which also saw 'action' in Hollywood movies about World War II, standing in for Japanese aircraft.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 42 ft.
Length: 29 ft.

World War II TrainersA fleet of North American AT-6/SNJ fly in formation as part of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. These planes flew as part of the first formation of the flyover, the "Trainer" formation. According to the Washington Post, "Army, Navy and Marine pilots learned how to dogfight and shoot in this single-engine advanced trainer, which also saw 'action' in Hollywood movies about World War II, standing in for Japanese aircraft.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 42 ft.
Length: 29 ft.

The second formation, the "Pearl Harbor" formation, included Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. These are the "Flying Tigers"! As a kid, I loved the tiger mouths that were painted on the noses of the fighters.

Flying Tigers!A pair of Curtiss P–40 Warhawk fly in formation as part of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. These planes flew as part of the second formation of the flyover, the "Pearl Harbor" formation. According to the Washington Post, "Claire Lee Chennault’s American Volunteer Group – the Flying Tigers – made this single-engined fighter, outmoded at the start of the war, famous through their hit-and-run tactics against the Japanese in China. The British, the Russians and other allied air forces used it in all theaters.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 37 ft.
Length: 32 ft. The B-17 Flying Fortress from the ninth formation, the "Big Week" formation, was really neat and I'm quite happy with the photo. If you look closely, you can see where all the gunners sat.

Flying FortressA Boeing B–17 Flying Fortress flies in the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. This plane flew as part of the ninth formation of the flyover, the "Big Week" formation. According to the Washington Post, the Boeing B–17 was "First used in combat in 1941 (though prototypes were flown before then), the B-17 is one of the most famous bombers ever built. This aircraft was pivotal in the destruction of Germany’s industrial fabric and the allied victory in Europe.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 104 ft.
Length: 74 ft.

I'm particularly fond of the following photo and the one at the start of this post. (These are from the thirteenth "Iwo Jima" formation). The Corsairs are very fast airplanes and I was afraid the photos wouldn't turn out. Clouds and CorsairsA pair of Vought F4U Corsair fly in formation as part of the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. These planes flew as part of the thirteenth formation of the flyover, the "Iwo Jima" formation. According to the Washington Post, "The gull-winged Corsair was the first U.S. fighter to exceed 400 mph in level flight. Late to enter carrier service because of landing gear problems, it became famous flying from island bases in the Pacific with such squadrons as the Black Sheep Squadron led by Marine Corps ace Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington. The Japanese called it 'Whistling Death,' and it served through World War II and the Korean War. It served in Central American air forces until the early 1970s.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 41 ft.
Length: 34 ft.

The following airplane is enormous. The Boeing B-29 Superfortress (in the fourteenth "Final Air Offensive" formation) is the same kind of airplane that dropped the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Boeing B-29 SuperfortressA Boeing B–29 Superfortress flies in the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover, which occurred over Washington, DC, on May 8, 2015. This plane flew as part of the fourteenth formation of the flyover, the "Final Air Offensive" formation. According to the Washington Post, the Boeing B–29 was "A long-range heavy bomber that entered active service toward the end of World War II. One of the largest aircraft of its time, the B-29 was used in the nuclear attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.", May 7, 2015.

Wingspan: 141 ft.
Length: 99 ft.

Twilight Cherry TreeEarly morning, just before sunrise, at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during peak bloom for the cherry blossoms. The sun is just starting to rise behind the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and a large Yoshino cherry tree leans out over the Tidal Basin.

DC Skyline SunriseThe sun peaks up from below the horizon, casting an orange glow upon the morning sky in Washington, DC. Visible in the skyline is the Potomac River, Arlington Memorial Bridge, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the dome of the Capitol, which is undergoing restoration.

I love the color and how the sun is just peeking over the horizon. I also took the following just a bit earlier:

Purple DC SkylinePurple skies hang over the Washington, DC, skyline at dawn. The skyline features the Potomac River, Arlington Memorial Bridge, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the dome of the Capitol, which is undergoing restoration.

I think the purple skies are really great. I'm quite happy with both shots. However, I figured I could get another nice shot shortly after sunrise, so I visited the Tidal Basin and shot this:

Thomas Jefferson in SunlightEarly morning sunshine lights up the statue of Thomas Jefferson at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.

The cherry blossoms should be here at the end of next week!

Dawn, Lincoln, Washington, and SnowA very cold morning before sunrise in Washington, DC. The Potomac River is frozen and the sun is about to rise behind the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Sunrise over a frozen PotomacOn a very cold morning in Washington, DC, the sun rises behind the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and Arlington Memorial Bridge, casting rays of light on a frozen Potomac River.

It won't be much longer now until the cherry blossoms arrive!

Jefferson and the Cherry TreeSpring sunrise at the Tidal Basin during peak bloom for the cherry blossoms. The sun is rising behind the Jefferson Memorial and the US Capitol is visible in the distance. The cherry trees were a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan in 1912.

This Saturday, a print of my image Jefferson and the Cherry Tree (above) will be auctioned off at the 8th Annual Dancing After Dark, an event to benefit Children's National here in Washington, DC. I signed the print and it's beautifully framed by the generous folks at Frame of Mine. The event, which will include cocktails, desserts, and dancing, will be held at the Carnegie Library. For tickets and other information, visit the event website.

This year for my annual holiday blog post, I took two photos. The first features the 2014 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the Capitol. The dome of the Capitol is covered in scaffolding. It is currently undergoing a two-year restoration. The tree is a white spruce from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota. It was harvested on October 29. The tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments, handcrafted by children and others from Minnesota. The second photo features the tree with the National Mall and the Washington Monument in the background.

2014 Capitol Christmas Tree and US CapitolThe 2014 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the Capitol. The tree is a white spruce from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota. It was harvested on October 29. The tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments, handcrafted by children and others from Minnesota. The dome of the Capitol is currently undergoing a two-year restoration project, hence all the scaffolding.

2014 Capitol Christmas Tree and Washington MonumentThe 2014 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the Washington Monument and the National Mall. The tree is a white spruce from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota. It was harvested on October 29. The tree is decorated with thousands of ornaments, handcrafted by children and others from Minnesota.

Washington Monument and Fall FoliageAutumn sunrise on the Washington Monument, the Tidal Basin, and Fall Foliage.

Reflected SunriseAutumn sunrise with clouds reflected in the Tidal Basin. Featuring the Washington Monument and fall foliage.

This one of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial doesn't feature much in the way of fall foliage, but I'm including it anyway because I took it shortly after the other two and it seems to me that I rarely find the place vacant of tourists.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial"Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope." The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Autumn SunriseThe sun rises over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, revealing late autumn foliage at Buck Hollow.

Autumn Sun StarThe sun rises over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, revealing late autumn foliage.

Great Autumn FallsGreat Falls, Virginia, surrounded by fall foliage.

Great Autumn Falls PanoramaPanorama of Great Falls, Virginia, surrounded by fall foliage.

Harpers Ferry SunsetThe sun sets on a warm summer day over Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, while two freight trains cross the junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers.

Here are a couple of lotuses I shot recently at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (click on an image to enlarge):

Two lotusesTwo lotus flowers—one open and one closed.    Lotus and dewDew formed on a barely opened lotus.

Red, white, and blue over the PotomacRed, white, and blue fireworks over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on Independence Day. Green fire over the PotomacGreen fireworks over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on Independence Day.

Green MeadowHuntley Meadows in the summer, just before sunset.

Jefferson DawnDawn at the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during peak bloom for the cherry trees. The cherry trees were a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan in 1912.

Golden Hour at the JeffersonThe sun rises besides the Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, during peak bloom for the cherry blossoms. The cherry trees were a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan in 1912.

Jefferson and the Cherry TreeSpring sunrise at the Tidal Basin during peak bloom for the cherry blossoms. The sun is rising behind the Jefferson Memorial and the US Capitol is visible in the distance. The cherry trees were a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan in 1912.

I've always been fond of the National Capitol Columns monument. In the following photo, the snow around the base of the 22 Corinthian columns really set off a nice contrast with the blue sky.

Snow ColumnsThe National Capitol Columns monument at the National Arboretum in Washington, DC, surrounded by snow. These 22 Corinthian columns were once a part of the east portico of the United States Capitol.

I spent some of my time at the Arboretum shooting the trees as well. I was particularly taken with this Crape-Myrtle in the Gotelli Dwarf and Slowing-Growing Conifer Collection. To me, it looks as though the tree is reaching out to embrace me.

A Tree's EmbraceA Crape-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) surrounded by snow in the Gotelli Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conifer Collection at the National Arboretum.

Winter Dawn at the Lincoln MemorialDawn at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, after a snowstorm. Arlington, Virginia, is visible in the background.

Here are a couple of landscapes that I shot the morning after the snowstorm. I shot them at Great Falls, Virginia, which is just a little ways up the Potomac River from Washington.

Dawn on a snowy Great FallsDawn at Great Falls after a snowstorm.

Twilight at a snowy Great FallsTwilight at Great Falls after a snowstorm.

The three memorial spires range from 201 feet (61 m) to 270 feet (82 m) high and appear to be soaring; its array of stainless steel arcs against the sky evoke the image of "contrails of the Air Force Thunderbirds as they peel back in a precision 'bomb burst' maneuver." Only three of the four contrails are depicted, at 120 degrees from each other, as the absent fourth suggests the missing man formation traditionally used at Air Force funeral fly-overs. (Wikipedia, United States Air Force Memorial (as of Jan. 6, 2014).)

Air Force Memorial TwilightTwilight at the Air Force Memorial near Washington, DC.

PlayfulOne of the new Sumatran tiger cubs at the National Zoo plays with its mother, Domai.

Surprise!Sukacita (SOO-kah-CHEE-tah), a Sumatran tiger cub, attacks her mother, Domai, at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Brother and SisterBandar and Sukacita (SOO-kah-CHEE-tah), brother and sister Sumatran tiger cubs at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

LurkingDamai, a Sumatran tiger, at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Kids are dangerousDamai, a Sumatran tiger, and her cub Bandar at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. It appears that Bandar has given his mother a bloody nose.

Capitol Christmas ReflectionsThe United States Capitol and the 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree at night, reflected in the Reflecting Pool.

The second photo is a closer shot of the 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree in front of the Capitol. The 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree is an 88 foot tall Engelmann spruce from Colville National Forest in northeast Washington State. It is decorated with thousands of ornaments handcrafted by the children of Washington State.

2013 Capitol Christmas TreeThe 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree is an 88 foot tall Engelmann spruce from Colville National Forest in northeast Washington State. It is decorated with thousands of ornaments handcrafted by the children of Washington State.

On November 11, I ventured over to the Jefferson Building to shoot the Main Reading Room. It was a fun excursion. I've always been very fond of libraries and the Library of Congress is a very special place. Here are a couple of my favorite shots of the Main Reading Room. I hope you like them as much as I do!

In the Main Reading RoomIn the Main Reading Room in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Library, Washington, DC.

Looking up in the Main Reading RoomLooking up in the Main Reading Room in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Library, Washington, DC.

I attended the opening reception last night and the exhibit looks great! Thanks to everyone who attended the reception. I appreciate your support.

I put a lot of work into the printing and framing of the images in the exhibit and I can say they look fantastic! The images are printed on high-quality luster or cotton fiber fine-art paper using professional-grade pigment ink for superior image quality and long life. Prints are matted with acid-free paper and framed in matte black wooden frames with non-glare acrylic. Each print is also signed and available for purchase. If you are interested in purchasing one of the framed prints displayed in the exhibit, send me an e-mail to arrange for payment and delivery after the exhibit ends on January 24.

Dramatic skies and fall colorCloudy skies block a November sunrise at the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The Jefferson Memorial is surrounded by cherry trees draped in fall color.

Cloudy sunrise at the Tidal BasinBlue and purple clouds hover over the Tidal Basin at sunrise in Washington, DC. The Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial are framed by cherry trees with fall foliage.

November sunrise at the JeffersonSunrise at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, is blocked by dramatic clouds. The Jefferson Memorial is framed by cherry trees draped in fall color.

Hiding in his shellA turtle cowers in its shell as fall leaves whirl on past in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.

The following are a couple of shots of Rock Creek that I took last weekend. You can see some nice reds and yellows popping out of the trees around the river. It was cloudy at the time, which makes for some great river photography.

Autumn at Rock CreekFall foliage around Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.

Fall Color at Rock CreekFall foliage around Rock Creek in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.

DC Moon ConstructionThe Harvest Moon rises over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol in Washington, DC. Scaffolding covers the Washington Monument as it undergoes repairs required due to significant damage caused by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that occurred on August 23, 2011.

Moon Over WashingtonThe Harvest Moon rises over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol in Washington, DC. Scaffolding covers the Washington Monument as it undergoes repairs required due to significant damage caused by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that occurred on August 23, 2011.

African lions roar and strut and act the apex carnivore, but they’re lucky to catch 25 percent of the prey they pursue. Great white sharks have 300 slashing teeth and that ominous soundtrack, and still nearly half their hunts fail. Dragonflies, by contrast, look dainty, glittery and fun, like a bubble bath or costume jewelry, and they’re often grouped with butterflies and ladybugs on the very short list of Insects People Like. Yet they are also voracious aerial predators, and new research suggests they may well be the most brutally effective hunters in the animal kingdom. When setting off to feed on other flying insects, dragonflies manage to snatch their targets in midair more than 95 percent of the time, often wolfishly consuming the fresh meat on the spur without bothering to alight. Angier, Natalie, "Nature's Drone, Pretty and Deadly", New York Times, September 9, 2013.

Perhaps the best part of all may be that dragonflies eat mosquitoes! Here are a couple of shots of dragonflies from a recent visit to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens—one of the last places in DC that I would expect to get bitten by a mosquito.

Green eyes, blue tail The Insect Predator

Garden Sunrise Morning in the Aquatic Garden Garden Sunburst

I hope you like my new fireworks images. Let me know which crop you like best. Thanks!

Expanded crop version:

Closer crop version:

Here are two photos. I took the first just before the start of civil twilight and the second right at the start of civil twilight (dusk). I took the photos only 11 minutes apart and as you can see, in that 11 minutes, the light changed considerably.

The Capitol at Dusk

Blue Hour at the Capitol

Here are a couple of the waterlilies. I think the colors turned out great. Flowers tend to look best on cloudy days and I used a polarizer to cut down on the glare. I'll try to get back to Kenilworth in a few weeks to see if I can get any of the lotuses.

Pink Amidst the Green White Amidst the Green

Black and white Furry

Sunbathing

Yawn! Thirsty

Here are five of my favorite images of the bear cubs. Want to see them bigger? Just click on an image.

Aren't you cute!

Look what I found! How do I get down again? I think I got it!

Bear cub hug

Dawn, Cherry Blossoms, and the Washington Monument In the image above, you may notice the scaffolding covering the Washington Monument. It's currently undergoing repairs required due to significant damage that was caused by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that occurred back in August 2011.

Purple Dawn at the Jefferson

Serenity at the Tidal Basin

The peak bloom is one of my favorite times in D.C. and I enjoyed showing my father around the Tidal Basin. It seemed appropriate to think about him and our fun times together by returning to the Tidal Basin.

Morning Sun and Blossoms

I'm pleased at how these images turned out and I really wish that I could share them with my father. He had always been supportive of my photography and I think he would have liked these images.

Spring Cherry Blossoms

Spring Dawn at the Jefferson Spring Sunrise at the Jefferson Jefferson Greets the Sun

Last weekend I had an opportunity to shoot a panorama of the courtyard. The planters in the courtyard are particularly nice right now, as they're filled with fresh spring flowers. In the following panorama, you can also see wet footprints next to the water scrims. While I was shooting the panorama, children were running in and out of the water, having a really great time.

Indoor-Outdoor Space This image is a panorama of 295 stitched and blended images. It prints nicely in a large 1:3 aspect ratio.

Enclosed Mountains and Clouds

We had a Calder when I was a student at MIT as well (see here). I really liked that one too, but it didn't also have a mobile. In fact, I think Mountains and Clouds is Calder's only sculpture with an accompanying mobile. It may be his only mobile that isn't colorful. (Example here.) He died before it was built, so no one knows if the mobile was supposed to be colorful.

Interior Mountains and Clouds

Sunset on The Temple

Sunset over the Lincoln Memorial Twilight on The Temple Another day ends