Drew Smith Photography Blog http://drewsmithphotoblog.com A photoblog featuring nature, wildlife, travel, landscape, macro and impressionistic photography from around the globe Thu, 05 Jul 2012 05:21:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Happy Birthday USA! http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=920 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=920#comments Thu, 05 Jul 2012 05:18:37 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=920 Well, in spite of another day of 100+ degree heat I headed down to photograph the annual national fireworks show over DC and it was well worth the sweat!  And if the amazing fireworks show wasn’t enough, I was treated to a red full moon rising over the city after the show.  What a great day to be alive!  Here are a few of the new images – Happy Birthday America!  Enjoy!

Fireworks over Washington DC - Fourth of July

Fireworks over Washington DC - Fourth of July

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall and the Potomac River during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Fireworks explode above the National Mall during Washington, DC's National Independence Day Fireworks Show

Moonrise over Washington, DC - July 4, 2012

The full moon rises above Washington, DC on the Fourth of July, 2012

 

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=920 0 Great Horned Owlet http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=893 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=893#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:44:19 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=893 Boy do I love seeing owls!  Last week I heard through the grapevine about some Great Horned Owl chicks on a nest at the Cub Run RECenter in Chantilly, not too far from where I live.  I immediately ventured out to see the babies (there were reports of 2) on Saturday morning, but was only able to see one chick.  Apparently the second had disappeared a few days prior – perhaps (hopefully) it fledged and flew, perhaps it was predated by something in the area.  The chicks were first seen on March 23rd so by now are a full month old.  I was also able to see both adults nearby (thanks to Rob Baxter and others there to see the little guy!), though no clear photo ops were possible that morning.

I spent a few hours watching and enjoying the opportunity to see a baby owl like this from quite close, and managed a few shots I’m happy with.  Here are some samples – enjoy!

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) preens on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) preens on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) stretches its neck on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) stretches its neck on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) on its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) explores the branches near its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

A four-week-old Great Horned Owlet (Bubo virginianus) explores the branches near its nest in Chantilly, Virginia.

 

 

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=893 0 Discovery’s Final Mission – Part II http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=853 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=853#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:53:12 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=853 I was very lucky again last Thursday to get a spot at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center for the Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony.  I got to see the Shuttle Enterprise and Shuttle Discovery nose-to-nose, up close, and hear speeches from the head of NASA, the Smithsonian, and Sen. John Glenn, among others! A very cool experience all-around, and certainly once-in-a-lifetime. Note the difference in color between the Enterprise (never traveled to space) and the Discovery (365 days in space, 180 million miles+ travelled!). The charring is from the last re-entry. Very amazing.

 

The Space Shuttle Discovery at the Transfer Ceremony, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center.

The Space Shuttle Discovery at the Transfer Ceremony, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Enterprise during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Enterprise during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Senator John Glenn is recognized at the Space Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center.

Senator John Glenn is recognized at the Space Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the tail of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Detail of the tail of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Detail of the tail of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Detail of the tail of the Space Shuttle Discovery

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Photographers work from a helicopter above the Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

Photographers work from a helicopter above the Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

A young boy is interviewed following the Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

A young boy is interviewed following the Shuttle Discovery Transfer Ceremony at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery's wing during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery's wing during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise during the Discovery transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise during the Discovery transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

The underside of the wing of the Space Shuttle Discovery showing its heat-resistant tiles.

The underside of the wing of the Space Shuttle Discovery showing its heat-resistant tiles.

The heat-resistant tiles of the Space Shuttle Discovery, including some cracked during its last re-entry into Earth's orbit.

The heat-resistant tiles of the Space Shuttle Discovery, including some cracked during its last re-entry into Earth's orbit.

Detail of the Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise during the Discovery transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise during the Discovery transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise during the Discovery transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttles Discovery and Enterprise during the Discovery transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

The Space Shuttles Enterprise and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the Discovery Transfer Ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

The Space Shuttles Enterprise and Discovery meet nose-to-nose at the Discovery Transfer Ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery's nose during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery's nose during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

Detail of the Space Shuttle Discovery during its transfer ceremony at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

 

 

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=853 0 Discovery’s Final Mission http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=839 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=839#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:54:22 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=839 Got to experience a very special event today with the flyover of the Space Shuttle Discovery aboard a modified 747 as it flew on its final flight from Cape Canaveral to Dulles Airport. It made 4 passes over various parts of the city at low altitude and gave some great views of a very rare event! The only thing that could have made this better was if it were at 5pm for nice low angle light, but what a cool thing to see! Enjoy!

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

Space Shuttle Discovery atop NASA's modified 747 on its final flight above Washington DC

 

 

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=839 0 Virginia Bluebells at Bull Run Regional Park http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=804 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=804#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:18:24 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=804 Well, it happened again.  I had another birthday, closing out another year and beginning one anew.  What better way to do so than enjoying the amazing spring weather on a hike with my son and dog amidst the peaking Virginia Bluebells and millions upon millions of Spring Beauty blossoms at Bull Run Regional Park?!  In the few weeks since I had been out there the forest floor had really come to life, and the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) were literally covering most of the forest floor for as far as the eye could see along the Bluebell Trail.  The day started out a bit gray and cloudy, which was perfect for getting some long shutter speeds for the impressionistic images I envisioned, but as we hiked the sun came out and we had beautiful light filtering through the forest canopy and highlighting the spring wildflowers carpeting the ground.  We took a break for lunch along the banks of Bull Run surrounded by flowers and beauty, and it’s safe to say all three of us were really glad we went.  I am truly a lucky soul!

I managed to take a few pictures along the way – I hope you enjoy them!  From the look of things, it’s going to be an exciting and beauty-filled year…

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) amidst Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) along Bull Run

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along Bull Run.

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along Bull Run.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) and Common Blue Violet (Viola papilionacea) at Bull Run Regional Park

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) and Common Blue Violet (Viola papilionacea) at Bull Run Regional Park

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

A Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) blooms amidst Spring Beauty blossoms (Claytonia virginica) at Bull Run Regional Park

A Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) blooms amidst Spring Beauty blossoms (Claytonia virginica) at Bull Run Regional Park

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Spring Beauty blossoms (Claytonia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of Spring Beauty blossoms (Claytonia virginica) along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom along the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.

Impressionistic view of the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park.Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) blooming along the banks of Bull Run.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) blooming along the banks of Bull Run.

Impressionistic view of Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) blooming along the banks of Bull Run.

 

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=804 2 Spring in Washington DC http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=789 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=789#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:38:29 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=789 Well, it may only be March but it might as well be April or even May in DC!  Cherry blossoms are bursting out to join the many other flowering plants that are suddenly blooming.  There are even tulips blooming on Capitol Hill!!!

I spent another great morning with my son walking around exploring the Hill and managed to get a few pics.  This is definitely my favorite time of year here – I just hope the glorious weather (80 today with a slight breeze) sticks around for a while.

If you are in the area be sure to take some time and get outside!!!  Enjoy.

Library of Congress with Cherry Blossoms

Library of Congress with Cherry Blossoms

Magnolia petals on the West Lawn of the US Capitol

Magnolia petals on the West Lawn of the US Capitol

Library of Congress through Magnolia Blossoms

Library of Congress through Magnolia Blossoms

US Capitol dome and Magnolia Blossoms

US Capitol dome and Magnolia Blossoms

 

Tulips (in mid-March!) in front of the Library of Congress

Tulips (in mid-March!) in front of the Library of Congress

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=789 0 Supper time http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=781 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=781#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:28:14 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=781 Just a quick post with a few images of my local Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having some supper.  While he is a frequent visitor to my feeders it’s not often he gets what he came for.  I happened to be headed upstairs and saw him in one of our trees eating what I believe was a mourning dove – he allowed me to take a few shots and then took his meal to go.

 

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having supper

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having supper

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having supper

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having supper

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having supper

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) having supper

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=781 0 Partially leucistic Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=752 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=752#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:48:43 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=752 Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks

Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus)

After a hike with my son yesterday, while we were driving home, I saw what looked like a very white hawk fly over the road and perch nearby.  I happened to have my 7D with a 100-400mm lens on it on the passenger seat of the car (happy accident!) so I stopped and grabbed the camera with the intention of just getting a closer look at the bird to figure out what it was.

Pretty much as soon as I got focused on the bird another bird came in, which I soon realized was a Red-Shouldered Hawk, and they began to mate.  It was all over a few seconds later, and I just held the shutter button down and prayed I’d get something despite the sub-optimal conditions.

It turns out my camera settings were all wrong (go figure) since I had been photographing wildflowers earlier in different light and hadn’t really had even a second to think about metering, but after the mating was finished the two birds sat next to each other for about 10 seconds and I managed a few shots that are salvageable at least for an ID.  Looks like the female is partially leucistic – a reduced pigmentation condition similar to albinism.  The side-by-side shot shows very light coloration on the wings and shoulders and significantly lighter tail feathers than the male, showing normal adult plumage for an eastern Red-shouldered Hawk.

While I am definitely going to try to re-find this bird I may never get another opportunity to see it again – or any like it (indeed I could only find one other photo online of a Red-Shouldered Hawk with this condition)…very cool!  Its just too bad I wasn’t able to capture these birds in good light (and not to mention without being photographed through car window glass!!!)

Here are a few other views – far from the best photos I’ve ever made technically speaking, but they give a few views of the underside and the back/shoulders/tail of the bird.  Nature is very interesting indeed!

Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks

Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus)

Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks

Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus)Male and Leucistic Female Red-Shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus)

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=752 0 More signs of an early spring – Virginia Bluebells (already!) http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=744 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=744#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:15:45 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=744 More signs of an early spring – enjoyed the 70 degree weather on a hike with my son today on the Bull Run – Occoquan Trail and snapped a quick shot of some early Virginia Bluebells beginning to bloom – about a month early!  Also saw some Spring Beauties beginning to bloom, bringing some life back to the forest floor after a short and strange winter!  Looking forward to re-visiting in a week or two and seeing them in their glory.

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=744 2 Piqsure demo features two of Drew’s DC photos! http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=727 http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=727#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:27:50 +0000 Drew http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?p=727 I’m honored to announce that Piqsure chose two of my images to demo it’s new high-res image display technology.  This exciting new image viewing technology is going to be rolled out at Photoshop World in a few weeks, and basically it allows photographers and others to share very high resolution images in a way that can be looked at, zoomed, and browsed easily and quickly (on computers and on mobile devices alike) in a completely secure way which prevents your prized high resolution content from being copied or stolen.  The potential is huge for photographers and artists alike to share more than they ever could before without having to worry about it being stolen – very exciting!

More details to come at Photoshop World, but click below to see a quick demo video from Piqsure.  The video shows the Piqsure Viewer in use on an iPad, with a split screen showing direct output from the iPad and one showing the iPad in use to give an idea as to reaction time, browsing speed, etc.

Check it out:

Piqsure demo video

To read more about Piqsure and its exciting new technology, check out this news article:  http://www.tuaw.com/2012/03/02/piqsure-to-provide-fast-full-resolution-browsing-of-images-on-mo/

 

A Bronze Lion guards the monument to President Ulysses S. Grant on the West Lawn of the US Capitol.

A Bronze Lion guards the monument to President Ulysses S. Grant on the West Lawn of the US Capitol. This is one of four lions guarding the large equestrian statue of Grant which makes up the centerpiece of the Grant Memorial, commissioned in 1902 by Congress and created by architect William Pearce Casey and sculptor Henry Merwin Shrady.

The National Fireworks show over Washington, DC and the Potomac River

]]> http://drewsmithphotoblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=727 0