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!

America!

Digital America : Smithsonian American Art Museum : Penn Quarter

Today is our nation's 232nd birthday. In 1776, we declared our independence from the sovereign kingdom of Great Britain and the rule of King George. Today, we are a constitutional federal republic made up of 50 states, one federal district (that's us!), and a handful of territories and protectorates. We are the melting pot of the world with a population of 304.5 million people from every country on the planet.

We have serious problems in this country that need serious, wise solutions, but we're a great country and I'm grateful to live here. Happy July 4th, America! And have a safe and fun holiday weekend everyone!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 7/08

Birthday

Monday was the one-year anniversary of D.C. Confidential and today is my birthday. This blog started with an entry about Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the destination of last year's birthday activities. Here are some statistics:

Most entries in a month: 36 in March 2008
Least entries in a month: 7 in October 2007

Most pictures in an entry in one day: 16
Least pictures in an entry in one day: 0

Most comments in an entry: 15 (here and here)
Total number of posts since launch: 260 (including today's posts about D.C.'s Fish Market and a continuation of my current series on Rock Creek Park. Scroll down to see and read them.)

My most favorite entry: The ones where I find cools facts and figures. Again, too numerous to pick just one. I've learned a ton about Washington, D.C., just by virtue of writing this blog.
My least favorite entry: The ones on embassies. They're kind of dull and informational only.

My most favorite photo: Too numerous to list, but I think any of the photos involving the Lincoln Memorial are among my favorites. Then again, a lot of the natural photography I've shot has been nice... See what I mean? I can't decide.
My least favorite photo: Again, the embassy ones. They're just a snap. I didn't try to be artistic and I shoot most of them during the worst light of the day--11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Visitors from every continent have visited this blog. The furthest north: Canada's Yukon Territories. The furthest south: Terra del Fuego in Argentina.

Some of you have asked about the equipment I use to take my photographs and what software I use for editing. I use a Canon A630 and edit using iPhoto software on my Apple MacBook. My goal in the next year is to upgrade to a good DSLR with a few lenses and add Adobe Photoshop to my Mac.

I want to thank everyone who has visited D.C. Confidential in the last year. My goal has been and remains to bring America's national capital in picture and fact to friends and visitors worldwide. Thank you for making it possible and worthwhile!

For anyone who wants cake, come on by!

Happy 4th!

I really need to read the little book that came with my Canon A630 to find out how to best use the "Fireworks" setting on my camera. In the meantime, though, here's a picture of the fireworks from the rooftop of a friend's apartment building down near Meridian Park. This year's fireworks on the National Mall were some of the best and most colorful I've seen in all the years I've lived here. Truly spectacular! I'm sorry my picture doesn't better reflect that. Just as a reference point: the Washington Monument is to the left of the "rocket's red glare."

To see some great pictures of this year's fireworks, go here.

Happy 4th, friends!