Peeking from behind LincolnThe setting sun peeks from behind the pillars of the Lincoln Memorial just a few days before the Autumnal Equinox. A while back, I decided I wanted to take some photos of the sun setting behind the Lincoln Memorial with the Reflecting Pool in front. But then I had to wait five months to take the photo. To get the shots I wanted, I needed the sun to set in just the right spot.

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.