52Frames Fast Shutter

Last week’s 52Frames photo challenge was slow shutter. Because an iPhone doesn’t have a slow shutter I needed to download a camera app, study it up, and try to meet the challenge. This week the challenge was fast shutter. That process is something an IPhone can do and I have used it a few times before. You just hold down the shutter button for the time the object is in motion, go back and look at all the frames and select the ones you like. You can also take videos and take screen shots of the video at a spot you like, but the photo quality isn’t as good. We were so happy to finally be able to visit the Capitol reflecting pond last week since the fence surrounding the perimeter was taken down and Independence Avenue and the US Botanic garden once again became accessible. I was hoping the ducks returned to the pool and wanted to get a photo of them doing something. Well, the ducks were all over the place, but not within a reasonable range. The IPhone telephoto lens doesn’t exist, and the close ups are very pixilated. A couple of seagulls were in my range but weren’t moving. So my husband walked in a bit closer to get them to fly. I really didn’t think I was able to capture anything. I got the tail end of the first one. But the second one was very cooperative. I was able to get decent shots of the bird thinking about taking off, starting to take off, taking off, and flying. The most unexpected aspect of the photo was the beautiful background of the pool water that shimmered in green and blue. I’m not really a photographer and my iPhone is the only camera I have. But I was really pleased with my winged friend’s image. 

Capitol Reflecting Pool Pigeons and Seagulls

Growing up in Florida seagulls were a very common site. It seems they can be found anywhere these days. While walking by the Capitol reflecting pool last week we noticed a bunch of pigeons jammed up in the northeast corner. Someone had to have left food for them to congregate there. The crows and seagulls soon joined them. Ultimately they all dispersed as someone ran at them and startled the bunch. The crows flew off to the garbage cans and the top of Botanic Gardens building. The seagulls all landed on the west side of the reflecting pool lined up in a row. If you’ve ever seen “the Birds” movie it might get make you a bit jittery. But having been this way so many times before we really didn’t think about it - much. So we passed by all the seagulls as they strategized their next move. The Capitol building and Grant statue looked more interesting in the reflection on the overcast day. There was also a lot of garbage floating around. It was surprising because they just emptied and cleaned the pool. But the whole Mall looks very unkempt now. The birds probably prefer it that way.   

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsI-JA4hhsQ/

Ducks and Seagulls at the Capitol Reflecting Pond

There they were - all lined up along the rim of the Capitol Reflecting Pond. There were a lot more than usual, maybe because there were a lot less at the American Indian Museum Pond across the way. They were mostly sleeping - some with their heads on their backs; others standing on one leg. And there were a few keeping watch over the bunch. It’s like they didn’t know the difference between each other. The seagulls and the ducks were resting in perfect harmony. With every couple of ducks there was a seagull. With the big stretch of seagulls sitting on the wall, a bunch of ducks were in front of them  in the water. And they were making quite a mess of things. Maybe the rain is a good idea on these occasions. It’s obvious that the ducks are paired up, but I can’t tell if the seagulls are. This is the time of year when the water foul become very active and the ramps are put in the pond so the babies can find their way in and out of the water. In spite of the fact that congress has been off for the last ten days it was very quiet this morning. I don’t think the birds minded or cared. 

The Frozen Reflecting Pond

It felt good to be able to dress to go outside for our morning walk without it taking fifteen minutes. We didn’t need two layers of socks, long underwear, insulated pants, mittens, lumberjack hat, scarves, and a carrying case for my phone because it froze up and lost battery power in the frigid temps. Regular clothes, coat, Slouch hat and gloves would do - thank goodness! It was busier than usual outside. A lot more people were roaming about - probably because everything might close down by tomorrow with the government shutdown. I had two weeks off from the Library of Congress during the last one. I was afterall a nonessential worker. Though the temps were in the forties today, the reflecting pond in front of the Capitol is still covered in ice. The seagulls were standing on it - waiting for a handout. All the ducks were over at the American Indian museum’s pond, which is really a pond now. The ducks were having a blast swimming about, splashing, pairing up and getting ready for spring. It’s been a brutal January, reminding us a lot of our thirty years in the Midwest. Neither one of us likes it. Let’s hope it stays this way a bit longer. I’ve had enough of frozen Reflecting ponds. 

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. 

Our Feathered, Sculptured and Ice Skating Friends

They were all sort of huddling around together - not quite ready to start the week - no different from us! The four doves sitting on top of the wall that encloses our backyard couldn't be bothered when I approached them. The ducks by the American Indian Museum were pairing off - some with their heads on their backs, others sitting in the weeds. At the Smithsonian Castle, I never really paid attention to the bird sculptures in the garden. To our delight, tiny white bulb flowers have started to bloom beneath them. My favorite is the parakeet - maybe because I had a parakeet named Ringo who could say his name, come on command, and did may tricks. I've always liked birds and pretty much all animals. But these creatures seemed to stand out on this gray windy morning. The pigeons sit alongside the walkway on the Mall. It seemed like the seagulls were learning to ice skate as they walked and slid across the reflecting pool in front of the Capitol. One in particular seemed to pose for his closeup as the others searched for food. We had a variety of feathered creatures in our Milwaukee backyard. In New England, my mother used to take us to the bakery to pick up stale bread so we could feed the ducks at the local pond. The seagulls and pelicans were Florida mainstays. The only difference among all those places and here is the backdrop. I don't think the birds could care less.