CIOPhoto

- Looking west from the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC towards the Lincoln Memorial shortly after sunset. The 30 minutes after sunset there is a very special time called " Civil Twilight " when there is still some light in the sky. The sky starts to turn a deep blue or purple in color. This special time is very short lived but cherished by photographers for city scenes. Canon 7D, 5 seconds @ f/22, ISO 100, 70mm focal length and mounted on a tripod.

- "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is Abraham Lincoln's famous phase from the Gettysburg Address . Here the Lincoln Memorial floats in darkness as hundreds still visit at 11:00 PM on a beautiful summer night. Canon 7D, 2 seconds @ f/8.0, ISO 100 mounted on a tripod. The epitaph above Abraham Lincoln's statue reads: IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER

- The Donald D. Engen Tower at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an observation tower providing a 360 degree bird's eye view of Washington Dulles International Airport and the surrounding area. As you can see view is impressive but so is the tower room itself. Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 100, 8mm fish eye lens.

- This is "Crew" he is a four month old golden retriever destined to be a guide dog for the blind. We spent yesterday in historic Leesburg Virginia with Crew and his puppy raiser Irene Esch. Crew was wearing his guide dog in training vest while visiting many shops with us and even joined us for lunch in a small restaurant with live music. I was amazed at how focused he was and how good he behaved the entire day. Navigating in tight crowed antique shops and resisting the attention everyone was wanting to give him. He won't begin his official guide dog training until he is at least one year old, but we could tell he's going to make someone a great guide dog. Canon G11, 1/640 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400.

- My water glass at lunch today produced this really cool star burst pattern of light on a great old butcher's block table. Canon G11, 1/10 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, in macro mode.

- The bronze sculpture entitled the "Three Servicemen" stands a short distance from the Wall as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. The three statues stand alone looking towards the Wall and the names of their 58,272 lost comrades. Canon 7D, 5 secs @ f/8.0, ISO 400 converted to black and white.

- Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly Into the light of the dark black night. You were only waiting for this moment to arise By Lennon and McCartney from the Beatles White Album SR-71 at the Smithsonian Air & Space Center at Dulles Airport . Canon 7D, 1/15 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 800.

- A 1937 vintage Pontiac automobile in basic black calls for a blank and white photo. Canon G11, 1/125sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200 converted to black and white using Silver Efex Pro.

- I guess this is "plant week" looking at the photos from the last few days. This black and white of hosta leaves is backlit by an LED Litepanel. It really shows the leaf structure. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/3.2, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

- Water dripping off the hosta buds. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/3.5, ISO 800, 100mm macro.

- The mimosa tree is often classified as an invasive plant. Outdoor cultivation has lead to prolific and unchecked expansion of the plant in many areas. This is one of several located along a ditch bank near my house in Virginia Beach Virginia. Invader or not, the delicate flowers are quite exotic, beautiful and photogenic. Canon 7d, 1/100 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro lens.

- Making an exception today and posting a photo that I didn't take. This picture was captured by my brother-in-law Larry Garrett of my grandson Robert in the hot tub today. We were having a Father's Day water gun battle between my son Brian, Robert and I when Robert decided to turn the gun on photographer Uncle "Warry". Larry is pretty darn good with a camera and is responsible for getting me back into photography and onto to shooting digital when he gave me his used Canon Digital Rebel in 2006. I hope you agree that this is a pretty fabulous picture. It is tack sharp, has great action and expression, perfect light and composition, and cool depth of field. Canon 7D, 1/320 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 640, 115mm focal length on a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom.

Today's project, install a new bathroom faucet. I ordered this new Kohler Alteo in brushed nickel a few weeks ago from FaucetDirect.com and installed it today in the master bath. I like "the bold look of Kohler" products. They are well engineered and the installation was very straight forward. Looks nice with our retro 1960 turquoise ceramic tile don't you think? Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/4.0, ISO 400 in macro mode.

- This is inside of Amacoco on display this weekend at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show . Located on the beach at 24th Street. It is a giant maze of interconnected inflated plastic rooms. The translucent colors illuminate brightly as the sun hits the outside. Amacoco was designed by Architects of Air and is called a luminarium . As you can tell, its a photographer's delight. Canon G11, 1/50 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400.

- Jazz vocal legend Billie Holiday often wore a gardenia bloom in her hair. It was part of her trademark look to go with her trademark voice. Just look at this image and see if you can imagine the wonderful fragrance of the gardenia. This one is on a massive bush in my back yard that has hundreds of blooms on it. As soon as I step outside I'm greeted by this great scent of summer. Canon 40D, 1/640 sec @ f/10.0, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens.

- Rubber Duckie, you're the one, You make hot tubbing lots of fun, Rubber Duckie, I'm awfully fond of you; Canon G11, 1/80 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400 in macro mode.

- This stainless steel panel is located on the front of the Dog 'n' Burger on Manteo Avenue in Norfolk Virginia. Today's sunshine and blue sky help to make this reflective photo interesting. I bet most people just walk by the little architectural detail without a second glance. Canon G11, 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

- The crazy sprinkler creates a twisting and ever changing spray of water and mist. It's a kid's delight, that I can testify to from first hand experience. Canon 7D, 1/800 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400, zoom at 200mm focal length.

- Robert had a great time playing in the water today. Two hot tub sessions and one with the crazy squiggly sprinkler. I bet he sleeps good tonight, I know I will. Canon 40D, 1/2000 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 100mm lens.

- Another cash wash photo, this time its the spot free rinse and clear coat. I don't what it is but I always take pictures when I'm going though the car wash. Canon G11, 1/2000 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 400.

- Knock if you dare. This door knocker is at the Norfolk Historical Society offices at the corner of W. Freemason Street and Duke Street in Norfolk Virginia. It's big bold and intimidating. Symbolically, the lion's head acted as guardian, representing protection as well as pride. Canon 7D, 1/80 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 200, 200mm focal length, converted to B&W in Silver Efex Pro.

The sun goes down at the Narrows in First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach Virginia. The Narrows is a thin connecting waterway between Broad Bay and Linkhorn Bay. It is part of the Lynnhaven River system. We enjoyed sitting in our beach chairs, feet in the water, watching the boats go by and sun go down. Canon G11, 1/500 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 100.

- Meet my Alabama Jubilee daylily. This is the first bloom of the year for the jubilees. They should bloom just about everyday between now and July 1st. The six inch blooms are big and spectacular. I've divided mine several times and have divisions living as far away as Cedar Rapids Iowa. Canon G11, 1/60sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400 in macro mode backlit with a handheld LED Litepanel.

- These cool glass blocks pick up the red brick wall behind. Look at the differing patterns in each block. Canon 40D, 1/250 sec @ f/6.3, ISO 800, 100mm macro lens.

- Just close your eyes and imagine the beautiful Lotus blossom that will soon emerge from this bud. The Lotus is often photographed in full bloom but even the unopened bud has beautiful color and texture that just hits at what is to come. Canon G11, 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100 in macro mode. I'm digging the cool bokeh from a point and shoot camera, admittedly, it's probably one of the best point and shoot cameras.

- A purple iris iris from the Japanese Garden at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens . Canon G11, 1/400 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100 in macro mode.

- This great art deco locomotive style hood ornament was just one of many cool details in a display of old cars at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market today. A hood ornament symbolized a car company like a badge. Located on the front center portion of the hood they have been used as an adornment since almost the inception of automobiles. Canon G11, 1/160 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200, in macro mode.

- Descending - not much to say about this picture so I'll just let it speak for itself. Canon G11, 1/200 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200 converted to black and white.

- Sherlock loves a box. Anytime you open one or leave one sitting around he'll be in it. This morning he decided this filing box was the perfect spot from which to keep an eye on his domain. Canon 40D, 1/30 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 100mm lens.

- Saw this street preacher at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Park Avenue in Norfolk Virginia on the way home from work today. While street preachers are pretty common around here, he is the first one I've seen wearing a safety vest, a piece of ANSI complaint personal safety equipment, better know as PPE . No hard hat however and I couldn't tell if those are steel toe safety shoes, but I was impressed that even with his faith, he would take the wise precaution of a day-glow yellow and orange vest. Canon G11, 1/800 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 200.