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.