52 Frames - A Commitment to Photography

I was always in a hurry to get photos from the drugstore or photo store. Taking pictures was fun. When the swinger instant camera came out it was immediate gratification. I always had some kind of camera - Canon, Sony... but when the iPhone came out it couldn’t have been better! I do a daily photoblog and participate in a lot of social media. So when a friend of ours mentioned 52 Frames, I was interested. The idea is to get you to take a photo of a defined subject matter every week, give it a title why it inspired you. I signed up yesterday and just so happened to have a photo (that has to be taken in the week - not an archive) that would meet the requirement for this week - circles. We took a ride to DC yesterday and walked to the American Indian museum and saw the new Veterans Memorial where a large ring, representing the sky, was recently constructed. So that photo was submitted and the rest of the information for my “site” was completed including a short bio, type of camera used, link to my Twitter and Instagram sites, etc. I also started to follow our friend’s site and am looking forward to any comments and feedback - which is the idea. One needs to make comments and provide feedback, submit a photo every week, and be consistent as much as possible. Anyone can join, but you need to be committed. They also have Facebook and Instagram sites to follow. So we will see how this goes. I don’t have a fancy camera and may not be able to comply with some of the weekly requirements, but there may be workarounds. This “hobby” goes along with my digitalart painting. It’s just another way to be creative. And at this time, it’s a great way to spend time. 

A Walk Along the Mall and the Hirschhorn, Smithsonian Garden

Last week we took the metro in to town for the first time since we moved to northern Virginia five months ago. The weather was good and the timing was right to check out an exhibit at the Freer/Sackler Gallery. So we exited at Capitol South in our old Capitol Hill neighborhood. Then we walked along the old familiar path past the US Botanical Garden, and then on to the National Mall. We passed by the American Indian Museum - the pond was covered with algae, the plants were overgrown and the pigeons were sitting atop the museum sign above the fountain. My old friends the squirrels were out and about - one was posing for us. There are more squirrels on the mall than our neighborhood. The Air and Space Museum was under renovation - half of the building has been exposed for this long haul project. The street out front was also being repaired. There is always construction or repair work going on here - it’s never ending. Then we passed through the Hirshhorn Garden where the succulents were on display. In front of the Smithsonian Castle was an interesting “underwater” scene in the fountain and the lovely flowers that surround the area were in full bloom. In one of the pools was a butterfly sculpture. This used to be our daily walk path. Now it’s every few months and seems so much more interesting. 

Mulch, Flower Beds, Crowds, and Signs of Spring

Finally a Monday without snow and ice and frigid temperatures. We could finally resume our morning walk on the Mall with either breakfast or lunch to follow at our favorite spot on Capitol Hill - Pete's Diner. You know the season is finally changing because allergies are back and buds are sprouting up all around. Mulch "fragrance" is also in the air as flower beds are prepped at all the Smithsonian sites. A huge truck that looks like a gasoline carrying vehicle complete with attached hose is spreading yards of mulch by the duck pond at the American Indian Museum. There's an empty nest by the botanical garden; and a robin is checking out a house by the art museum. The seagulls are sitting on the grass in front of the reflecting pond - one thinks he's a duck by the Grant statue. And of course the hoards of visitors are descending upon us in anticipation of cherry blossom time. Huge groups of teenagers wearing the same color shirt abound. It's spring time in DC, even though snow is expected on Friday. At least it's in the air and the best is yet to come. 

What I Notice on the Mall and Capitol Hill

Yesterday we took a ride down M Street SE. Today, before the snow flies, we decided to take a typical walk to the Mall from our house. The landscape changes with the seasons. The sun was trying to come out, and it was close to 50. But there is usually not a lot of activity before noon. We always pass by the duck pond at the American Indian Museum and stop at the Smithsonian Castle gardens. The Washington Monument is a typical landmark in just about any photo, but looked really pretty behind the African American Museum of Art. A unique fur tree stands in front of the castle, and the massive mall improvement project is well underway. The familiar sound of any merry go round was heard loud and clear - but there were no takers. The large orange steel beam, also known as art, reminds me of the same structure in downtown Milwaukee on the lakefront. There are a lot of empty benches along the path on the way back towards the Capitol. At the US Botanical Garden the little babbling brook is well hidden; the gargoyles stare down at us from atop the Palladian windows, and the collard greens are ready to be picked! The Bartholdi Fountain spot is a great place to sit and put your feet up for awhile. As we approach our house, the barriers to the Capitol become more obvious and directions to the freeway near the House Office Buildings garage exits pop out against the notable red brick rowhouse backdrop. What one doesn't usually see is the train track that runs behind that notable rowhouse, and the sidewalks that can attack you if you don't keep your eyes on the ground. It's a lot different from Milwaukee and a lot warmer too. Can we skip the snow please?