New Year's Day 2018 Supermoon Over Lincoln Memorial - H1

This was the first Supermoon of two in January! The 2nd one occurred on the 31st and can be seen in the Martin Luther King Memorial image. When two Supermoons occur in the same month, the 2nd one is also called a "Bluemoon."

Lincoln Memorial January 31, 2018 - H2

This image was captured from the western side of the Washington Monument.

Martin Luther King Memorial January 31, 2018 - H3

This image was captured before the Supermoon was low enough to be framed properly with the close statue.

Martin Luther King Memorial Supermoon January 31, 2018 - H4

"January 31, 2018 had a rare occurrence last seen 152 years ago: a Blue Moon (2nd full moon in the month), a Supermoon (full moon at the same time it is closest to Earth), and a total lunar eclipse (seen in North America). I realized I needed to be in the Washington DC tidal basin area to capture the moon setting in the western horizon and have it align with a National monument; so, I visited the Martin Luther King (MLK) Memorial during the day before the Supermoon to ensure my planning was correct. It is an awesome memorial in the day but you must visit it in the dark to sense its full effect! Just think, the last event like this happened 3 years after the Emancipation Proclamation and a few months after the 13th amendment was ratified. And, actually after selecting the MLK Memorial I realized it was the only memorial that aligned properly with this Supermoon. It was a very cold (21F) but amazing experience that started around 4 a.m. and ended when the moon disappeared in a low cloud layer around 6:45 a.m.before it could exhibit the treasured golden color. Please take the time to visit the memorial after dark (Park Rangers present to provide information until 10 p.m.) when you are in the area!”

Martin Luther King Memorial - Golden Hour Profile Bust - H4a

Martin Luther King Memorial - Golden Hour Folded Arms Bust - H4b

Martin Luther King Memorial - Golden Hour Head and Shoulders Bust - H4c

Martin Luther King Memorial Main Entrance - H5

Jefferson Memorial Sunrise January 31, 2018 - H6

After the Supermoon disappeared behind the western low cloud layer, I focused on capturing the Memorial across the tidal basin at sunrise. The Sun through the atmosphere presented a rainbow of color.

Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) Garden - H9

World War II Memorial Fountain Flags - H10

"Three Soldiers" Daylight - H11

Frederick Hart Sculptor's thoughts: 'I see the wall as a kind of ocean, a sea of sacrifice that is overwhelming and nearly incomprehensible in the sweep of names. I place these figures upon the shore of that sea, gazing upon it, standing vigil before it, reflecting the human face of it, the human heart. The portrayal of the figures is consistent with history. They wear the uniform and carry the equipment of war; they are young. The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice. There is about them the physical contact and sense of unity that bespeaks the bonds of love and sacrifice that is the nature of men at war. And yet they are each alone. Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident. Their true heroism lies in these bonds of loyalty in the face of their awareness and their vulnerability.' The statue and the Wall appear to interact with each other, with the soldiers looking on in solemn tribute at the names of their fallen comrades. Noted sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter, Hart's assistant on the project, explains the sculpture was positioned especially for that effect.

"Three Soldiers" Night - H12

Frederick Hart Sculptor's thoughts: 'I see the wall as a kind of ocean, a sea of sacrifice that is overwhelming and nearly incomprehensible in the sweep of names. I place these figures upon the shore of that sea, gazing upon it, standing vigil before it, reflecting the human face of it, the human heart. The portrayal of the figures is consistent with history. They wear the uniform and carry the equipment of war; they are young. The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice. There is about them the physical contact and sense of unity that bespeaks the bonds of love and sacrifice that is the nature of men at war. And yet they are each alone. Their strength and their vulnerability are both evident. Their true heroism lies in these bonds of loyalty in the face of their awareness and their vulnerability.' The statue and the Wall appear to interact with each other, with the soldiers looking on in solemn tribute at the names of their fallen comrades. Noted sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter, Hart's assistant on the project, explains the sculpture was positioned especially for that effect.