Curious

Curious, originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney.

This little guy was kind of interested in what I was doing. I was surprised he hung out as long as he did.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

I was out one morning looking for a nice place to take some photos. I was looking for a spot to do some bird photography, but this one didn't pan out as I would have liked. On the upside, there were quite a few dragonflies out and this one was patient.

Dawn View of Jefferson

Dawn View of Jefferson
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

Saturday morning I went down to the tidal basin to take pictures during the Cherry Blossom peak. Since I already had some nice cherry blossom landscapes from last year I focused on other types of images this year.

I was able to get there pre-dawn. It was a bit hazy with a few clouds that really lit the sky a nice purple. In about an hour, this bench and everywhere around it will be completely occupied by the crowds. For now, a nice serene, purple, scene.

Lift off

Lift off
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

For some reason I like vultures. They play an important role in the cycle of life and the environment and have an interesting clumsiness. Just incase you think I'm odd, look into Tibetan sky burial and remember the vultures in The Jungle Book.

Even still, I was walking back up the path from Great Falls main overlook and he was in the tree over my head and spooked me a bit. I was able to catch him getting ready to take off. (Love the new lens.)

Very blue

Very blue
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

This Cassowary, an endangered Australian bird, was particularly interesting. Apparently, this is the only bird with armor (the helmet) which protects his head from rain-forrest brush. Quite an amazing bird (and very thankfully flightless).

Hog heaven

Hog heaven
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

Sometimes its about the simple pleasures in life, a little food, a little slop, and a nice red house.

Classic Ford Pickup

Classic Ford Pickup
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

On a recent outing to Frying Pan Farm park they had the old work horse red ford pickup out. Nice red on blue.

Passing Farm - Train Ride

Passing Farm - Train Ride
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

A little while back we took the boys to Strasburg Rail. They loved it. "Trains!, Trains!, Trains!" was exclaimed while pointing with both fingers. During a little more calm time on the train ride I followed this farm and cloud formation as it lined up for a nice look.

Warm light, cold ice

Warm light, cold ice
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

After the first main snow this weekend I was able to get out for a quick walk. By walk, I mean shuffling through knee deep snow. The geese were pretty cold standing on the ice. On the way back to my warm house I took this nice warm light with the large icicle.

Hi Cow

Hi Cow
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

We went to Frying Pan Park to see the animals. Brenden really likes the cows. He spent a good amount of time saying "Hi Cow, Hi Cow, Hi Cow, Hi Cow, Hi Cow..." You get the idea. This little guy was the most friendly and interested.

Morning after the blizzard

Morning after the blizzard
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

I took this the morning after our "blizzard." Though I'm glad I shovled my driveway once it didn't seem like I had by this time.

Telegrams - Herndon

Telegrams - Herndon
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

I stopped by the Herndon Museum yesterday. They have an interesting collection of W&OD railroad and Town of Herndon artifacts. They have a nice collection of photos from as old as the late 1800s.

Strasburg Railroad

Strasburg Railroad
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

It has been quite a while since I posted anything. That is what happens with the new born. It isn't that I haven't been taking photos; its is just that most of them are of the kids and the ones that are not sit on my hard drive waiting to be processed.

This one is of the stairs and hitch between two of the dining cards at Strasburg Railroad. We saw Santa there too.

Commute

Commute
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

I pulled off the road to take this picture just before sunrise on the way to work. I was able to get to work a bit early and with daylight savings time ending soon I will have to get up an hour earlier to get this shot again.

Agressive

Agressive
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

It has been a while since I've been able to post a new picture. New baby and all, time is short. No, this is not Ryen. This is a particularly aggressive goose who wouldn't mind eating out of your hands and getting a finger or two if you aren't careful. Interesting angle using the camera to keep him from getting too friendly.

A rose for Ryen, and mommy

A Rose for Ryen
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

One of the flowers that was sent to Mommy and Ryen.

Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

Had lunch and took a quick walk around Old Town Alexandria with a friend this weekend. I liked the Red door and the sailboat on an otherwise largely brick road.

Construction

Construction Equipment
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

After the sun sets, the construction equipment gets a bit spooky.

Great Falls at Dusk

Great Falls at Dusk
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

We stopped by great falls recently to see if we could catch some nice colors in the setting sun. Unfortunately the best clouds were to the left, but we ended up with something reasonably nice anyway.

Summer Moon

Summer Moon
Originally uploaded by Michael J. Mahoney

While walking around the pond with the family the sun was getting low and really lighting up the moon. I liked the blue sky and clouds with moon shining brightly through it. Nothing like an unusually cool summer evening.