Race route for the Across the Bay 10K
Once a year there is the opportunity to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on foot. It takes the form of a 10 K race/walk. I chose to walk with my camera. It was a perfect day for the activity i.e. sunny, mild and not much wind. I would have liked to spend more time but I (and some 20,000 others) had a time limit of 2 1/2 hours to complete the crossing. I made it in 2 hours and 52 seconds. That was a record for me – my first 10K.
Enjoying a sunny fall day
A 10K race in the morning and a drive through Blackwater NWR in the afternoon. It was a perfect weather day, warm for November. Bald eagles are common at the reserve but that doesn’t make them any less interesting. This one is sitting on the former site of an osprey nest. Eagles enlarge their nest every year and it is not uncommon for eagles to steal the sticks from osprey nests. Next year when the osprey return, they will construct a new nest and the eagles will be raising their young in the newly expanded nest.
The Norfolk Southern class J-611 steams through Virginia.
I like steam locomotives – who doesn’t. I lean more toward the non-streamlined engines, but the J-611 is mighty impressive. Last weekend, the J-611 made three excursions through the Virginia countryside. She was pulling 20 passenger cars, all fully occupied. I wanted to get some shots of her in the distance, but couldn’t decide on a location. I ended up at a crossing where the 611 roared by. She was going up grade which accounts for the extra smoke. Several crossings made for lots of whistles and bell clanging. Some fun. Some day I hope to perfect my panning skills enough to blur the wheels and rods while keeping the engine in focus.
Magnolia trees in Washington, DC.
Spring time in Washington is famous for flowering cherry trees. Not to be outdone though are the other flowering trees such as these magnolias. This was a good exercise for my new 15-30 mm lens. I feel it passed.
Along the Columbia River Drive
There are several waterfalls along the Columbia River Drive, but Multnomah is – in my opinion – the most spectacular. I arrived about a half hour before sunset and made a few shots that were quite nice. A trip to the bridge and I had a few more nice shots. Back down at the lower viewing level the sun had disappeared from the falls and the lights were just coming on. A mixture of lighting types combined with the remaining daylight made for some interesting colors on the falls.