Eco-Fireworks

I have no idea what these are, but they blew me away.
Check out the stamens on these flowers! How cool are they?

It was the flower in the center of this picture that first caught my eye
and persuaded me to bend closer for a picture.

Yesterday's walk in the neighborhood brought a couple of great little surprises, including a hiding cat, a rusty lock, puffy clouds, and a sunflower. You can see all of those at Standing Room Only. The best of everything I saw were these little flowers. I came across them on Underwood Street and thought they were absolutely spectacular. As I bent down for a closer look, the details on these flowers just blew me away. I have no idea what they are, but I love their little petals and geometrical stamens.

Alyssum in bokeh...

Not too far from the previous flora was a patch of purple alyssum. I see this a lot in white, but this was the first time I'd seen it in this vibrant, deep purple. I love how this picture turned out with its bokey quality.

There you have it! Friday's walk in the neighborhood. This evening, I'll be out in the Virginia suburbs, eating Indian food and watching Bollywood movies with my sister and a friend of hers. Should be fun.

Note: This entry has been modified to correct the spelling of alyssum, which was previously and incorrectly spelled elysium. The latter is a Greek word signifying the final resting place of the heroic and virtuous. Alyssum is a hardy annual that grows in dense clusters. The most common variety is white alyssum, but the flower also grows in pink and purple.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08

KABOOM! KABOOM!

Rockets Red Glare : Fireworks on the National Mall : Lincoln Memorial

I vacillated whether to brave the weather, traffic, the crowds, and security this year in order to see the annual fireworks show on the National Mall. At around 7:00 I decided, what the heck! I've really wanted to take fireworks pictures and now that I have a good tripod, I didn't want to miss an opportunity. So, I drove from my neighborhood in tippy-top NW DC down to 15th and R Streets NW and parked. Then I walked nearly 2.5 miles to Memorial Bridge and the back side of the Lincoln Memorial where I set up my tripod and camera and got ready for the action to start. Here are the results of my first time taking pictures of fireworks (with appropriate equipment) and succeeding!

Bombs Bursting in Air : Fireworks on the National Mall : Lincoln Memorial

True Blue, All-American Fireworks : National Mall : Lincoln Memorial

Yee haw! : Fireworks on the National Mall : Lincoln Memorial

Hope everyone had a fun and safe July 4th!

More Macro Fabulosity!

Mrs. Davis, in the 600 Block of Sheridan Street NW, graciously consented to let me come into her yard
and take these pictures of her beautiful hydrangeas.

Cactus?! On the East Coast?! Sort of defies comprehension, as these are generally
a desert plant, but occasionally, you find one in a yard around here.

Honestly, I shouldn't even bother with saying, "I'm going to cut down on my posts" because it's ridiculous and untrue. Yesterday evening, I went for a walk in the neighborhood with camera in hand and here are my results. I am loving my new wide angle and macro lenses! They're just too much fun.

Gladiolas in the front yard of a house in my neighborhood that's been on the market for more than six months.
(Click on images to enlarge.)

On the left, basic, miniature petunias growing in the yard of a home around the corner from my house.
On the right, I confess: I stole a page out of... someone's photo playbook... I saw a similar picture on a photo blog somewhere yesterday, but now I can't remember where. If you posted a photo similar to the one on the right,
tell me so I can give you proper credit. Your eye inspired mine and taught me a new way of looking at things.

Still with me? Well then, you're a trooper! So much to photograph, so little time, so little space.

The best part of a macro lens? Being able to take pictures like these! Now, if I could just get birds and bees
and other flying, flitting things to sit still for me, I'd really be on a roll!

Honestly, I have no clue what either of these are, but I thought they were stunning!
Who needs fireworks when you have nature right outside your front door?!
(Or, in this case, in the yard of a home on 5th and Sheridan Streets NW.)

When you live in an urban setting, you work with what you've got. One of my cardinal rules of neighborhood photography is to never trespass on people's property. Most of what I photograph is usually on the boundary of the property. If a homeowner is home and in their yard, I'll ask if I can come in and take some pictures. So far, no one's objected, which I appreciate!

Last, but not least, flower through the fence. This was the only way I could
take this picture without violating my cardinal rule of neighborhood
photography: Thou shalt not trespass!

Hope you enjoyed these! Thanks for indulging me. And my thanks to my neighbors who create little corners of beauty in the center of urban life and living!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08