Panda!

In July of 2006 my husband and I were able to take our children to see the National Zoo in Washington DC.  One of the Pandas was active and visible that day, and I got some nice photos.  

One of the Panda's even climbed a tree,

went out on a limb,

and slipped down under the branch. 

A visitor told me we were lucky to see a panda in action, usually they are hard to see.

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Panda at the National Zoo, Washington DC

Click on the images to see them enlarged. 

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I am linking up to these memes:
This is my 11th entry to the meme Scenic Sunday (I was entry 66).
This is my 9th entry to the meme Mosaic Monday (I was entry 43).
This is my 30th entry to Outdoor Wednesday 105 (I was entry 106). 

Library of Congress

Image 1: Library of Congress Interior

The Library of Congress in Washington DC, USA is housed in a spectacular building.

Image 2: Library of Congress interior, Washington DC

Beautiful details are everywhere you look - in the mosiacs on the floors, the stained glass on the ceiling, and the wonderful pillars, carvings and paintings on the walls.

Image 2: Library of Congress ceiling Angels, Washington DC

I enjoy stained glass windows - below is a close-up of one of the stained glass panels from the ceiling.

Image 4: Stained glass window in the Library of Congress

Mosaic floors are so decorative - the floors here are incredible.

Image 5: Mosaic floor in the Library of Congress, Washington DC

The Library of Congress is one of the great places to explore in Washington DC.  There are so many great sites to see in Washington DC that this building is often missed by tourists on their first visit.  If you can find the time - don't miss it. 

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

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I am linking up to these memes:

This is my 11th entry to Mosaic Monday (I was entry 32)

This is my 9th entry to the meme Scenic Sunday (I was entry 50).

And in April 2013: Tablescaper: Oh the places I've been Thurs (Entry 21).

I Heart Face No. 7

My daughter was wondering - What's an outtake?



Well, honey, it's when a photograph doesn't turn out as the photographer hoped for or wanted when they were trying to get the picture they envisioned. Sometimes they end up with something else; and sometimes that something else is pretty funny. Here, I wanted to document my beautiful young family, on our once in a generation vacation to Washington DC, with the capital in the background lit by the sun, gleaming in the distance with the green lawn in front. What I captured instead was the real life memories - squinty eyes and non-cooperation from some in the family as they made the several mile long walk back to the car after a long day of touring. We would only pass this way once, the shot was now or skip it, and a photojournalistic moment was captured.

(Note: After finding out I could have more then one photo, I added the Washington DC photograph.) The I Heart Faces challenge is featuring photos of hilarious outtakes this week.

Washington D.C. - Outdoor Wednesday

It has been I while since I posted a photo for Outdoor Wednesday.

While I am waiting for great weather in Wisconsin again, I thought I would post this different view of the US Capitol in Washington DC. It is from a trip to Washington in September, 2009. There are so many different views of the capitol if you have the time to walk around it. I hadn't known this fountain and landscaped area was there before I stumbled across it.

This is the 20th time I have participated in Outdoor Wednesday!

Outdoor Wednesday link:

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

Washington D.C. Weekend

My son Anthony and I just got back from a weekend in Washington D.C. In Washington I had the privilege to photograph a Benai Mitzvah! (A Benai Mitzvah is a combined Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. A Mitzvah is the Jewish coming of age and confirmation of faith ceremony, Bar Mitzvah for a boy, Bat Mitzvah for a girl). My son and I had a wonderful time. After the beautiful ceremony at the synagogue, there was a dinner and party on a large boat on the Potomac River. The weather was awesome and warm, and the company was great.

Washington D.C. is becoming one of my favorite American cities. There is just so much to see and do. I love the monuments, the museums and the architecture. Every building was built with beauty in mind, something sometimes forgotten in other cities and buildings. I think I would like to live there for several months once I retire...
My son and I were able to go site seeing on Friday afternoon. I had been able to visit Washington D.C. with my husband and four children in 2006 for a week, so this time I went to sites not visited last time. My son and I got to wander through the botanical garden, the Capital and the Library of Congress. I was amazed at some of the views of the Capital I was able to get from the botanical garden. I have never seen some of these angles before. Washington DC is indeed a beautiful city that requires lots of time (weeks, months?) to explore.
My first photo is the US Capital as seen from the Botantical Garden. The second photo shows the capital viewed from across a sculpted mosaic fountain. The third photo looks the other way across the fountain to see the National Museum of the American Indian.
Outdoor Wednesday link:

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com