2007
A City of Monuments
Three in one! Three icons most people recognize of Washington, D.C.: The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial and the U.S. Capitol Building. I took this shot in front of the Netherlands Carillon (What and where is that you may ask)? It's right next to the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial which is across from D.C. in Arlington, Virginia.
With the exception of when I travel to national parks, I rarely take my Manfrotto tripod with me on my photo trips when I travel by airplane. Here's one example of where I wish I did (or at least have the IS version of the Canon 70-200 f/4 lens). I took this shot handheld at 200mm, 3200 iso and holding my breath.
2007
Iwo Jima Memorial
My friend Jason and I battled the cold weather so I could take this shot as the as the evening sky was turning a deep blue. The brave Marines who fought at Iwo Jima in 1945 fought for much more. God bless America for our armed forces!
2007
Alexandria, Virginia
A view from a top of the George Washington Masonic Memorial Tower. The street in the middle of the photo is King Street which runs through historic old town Alexandria.
When I was a young lad I contributed heavily to the local economy by patronizing Murphy's Grand Irish Pub on King Street.
2007
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Located in Alexandria, Virginia it is home to fanatical masons and conspiracy buffs!
My friend Jason and I took a guided tour which took us to different floors of the tower. Take the tour and you'll find out the masons are an "interesting" bunch. The tour guide told us that the last U.S. President who was a mason was Gerald Ford. They honored the recent deceased president by leaving his portrait on the ground rather than hanging on the wall? Did I say they were an "interesting" bunch?
2007
George Washington
"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." - Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee.
Statue located at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
2007
America Held Hostage!
It's seems since 9/11 the U.S. government has seen fit to restrict the liberties of U.S. citizens. Case in point - have you traveled through an airport recently? The Transportation Security Administration requires passengers to stand in some translucent box (like something out of a David Copperfield magic show) while they blow air all over your body. We as citizens already have enough hot air blown at us by inept politicians in D.C. and we sure don't need anymore of that at airports. Okay I'm off my soap box.
Getting back to the photo. This is a shot of the White House from the North Portico on Pennsylvania Avenue (I remember the old days when Pennsylvania Avenue was open to traffic but since 9/11 they have closed the road and the only traffic are tourists and Capitol Hill policemen). I got up real close to the fence to frame this shot to look like prison bars. I think if I would have gotten any closer the snipers on top of the roof would have something to say about that.
2007
Protestor
This protestor was camped out in front of Lafayette Park which is across from The White House. I think she is the same person I use to see years ago in the same spot. Hmm? She must be associated with that crazy Cindy Sheehan crowd that drink organic tea and listen to soon to be defunct Air America radio. Why doesn't she get a job so she can pay taxes to fund worthy causes like getting a bigger plane for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
2007
The White House
As the Bush presidency comes winding down, it looks like the front-runners to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2008 are Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Senator McCain, and "America's Mayor" Rudi Guiliani. I think it's time to renew my passport and leave this country for a while...but that darn airport security and their blowers!
