I spent Inauguration weekend in Washington DC and had the opportunity to photograph the US Capitol building and a few of the monuments. Most of my trip there was met with windy and rainy conditions, and many of the popular attractions were closed due to fencing, road blockages, etc, due to the Inauguration. I still managed to get a few images without ruining the camera or lenses and this is but a small sample.
The Capitol grounds were mostly deserted at this hour of late evening, but I loved the play of the light on the dome and the stark beauty of the trees in front of the East entrance
As I moved around the Capitol grounds, I found an opening through the trees, giving full view of the Capitol dome. I love the refection of light on the low clouds over the dome and it left me with the hope that God is still shining his light on our great country and the men and women leading it.
My view of the Inauguration of President Trump was obscured by these two gentlemen in military uniforms. I'm not complaining. These gentlemen can have the front row any time! They have earned it. Melania Trump is just about to enter from the opening and the proceedings are about to begin. Witnessing the peaceful transition of power is very moving and makes me proud of my American heritage.
The figure seated here was truly one of America's greatest heroes. His sacrifice to maintain this Union was selfless and relentless. I can't imagine what the United States would be like if he had failed . The night this photo was taken, there were hundreds of people visiting the memorial at the same time as myself. I've been here during somber moments, but that night, there was a feeling of high spirits among the visitors and consistent buzz of voices and laughter even though the signs posted asked for silence. It is a special place to visit and read some of President Lincoln's greatest speeches.
Like the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial was alive with visitors the night of my visit. Some can be seen here at the base of the statue as they stood still for long enough to register in the photo. The Jefferson Memorial is lit with multi-colored lights and is a beautiful sight when glimpsed next to the Tidal Basin
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The statue standing inside the Jefferson Memorial shows a confident President whose words helped found the greatest country in the history of the world. His leadership on behalf of his homeland made us a nation "from sea to shining sea". Visitors can read his many writings during their visit here. The long photographic exposure here helped capture the full gamut of lighting and the solitude of this place.
Visiting the Iwo Jima Memorial on this rainy night, it was quiet with no visitors and I had the place to myself. It is a great location to view some of the other memorials in the District, as can be seen on the left side of the photograph. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the United States Capitol can be seen in the distance. The rain and low clouds lent a surreal view of the skyline as I remembered the sacrifices made by the men depicted here. Most of them didn't survive the war, but proudly served their country at a time of great peril.
The Washington Monument stands as a silent sentinel over the Washington Mall . On this Inauguration Day, the clouds were thick with rain, but the rising sun managed to find an opening in the clouds and shone brightly on the monument dedicated to our country's first President. The sun was there only for a moment, and was hidden by clouds within seconds of this photograph being taken, but the sight brought sharp cries from those who witnessed the beauty. It was a lucky shot and you had to be at the right spot, looking in the right direction in order to catch it.
