We've had yet another snowstorm here in Washington. While others may dread the snow and all of the inconveniences snow entails, I look forward to every snowstorm. Snow turns an otherwise dreary winter landscape into something beautiful. Unfortunately, I can't make it out to shoot right after every snowstorm, but it has also been just cold enough for the snow to stick around for a while. So, when I had the day off on George Washington's Birthday, I visited the National Arboretum.

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.