Chilly and Clear and Light(ish) at the Beginning

This morning was chilly, clear, and dry.  It's been dry for the last couple of days, but today you could really tell that the cool high pressure system had settled into the area.  I saw the morning planets for the first time in several days, and their return from under the blanket of overcast that's been pervasive for almost a week was a welcome development.

National Weather Service Forecast Map for Today

As the weather forecast map attests, the reason for these welcome changes and the crisp dryness in the air is because of the high pressure system that prevails over most of the eastern half of the continental United States.  I was able to get a one more panoramic shot of the Capitol Building this morning just before sunrise, and this one is my favorite of the season so far.  The lightening of the clear sky in the background added a nice touch of color which, until today, has been a little dark.

Capitol Building and Christmas Tree

I sent this picture to Rory, and he commented that when the exterior portion of the Capitol Dome restoration is complete and the scaffolding is removed the brilliance of the dome in darkness is going to be quite striking. If the predictions are correct, that should happen sometime this winter, and I'm looking forward to being able to observe and photograph this majestic building in all its naked glory.

The computer that I carry in my pocket informed me today that sunset in Washington, DC occurred at 4:46 pm today.  I cannot personally vouch for the truth of this statement since I was still ensconced in the cubicle farm churning out paperwork at that time, but there was still a bit of dusky light in the air when I escaped just after 5 pm.  I wandered down to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, and the waning light of the retreating sun casting a halo or orange light around the South Capitol Street Bridge and reflected off the still water of the river was simply breathtaking.

Anacostia River Sunset

It's a little hard to believe that this is a no filter photo, and you don't have to take my word that this looks to me like an accurate representation of what I observed.  You should go out there for yourself at sunset on a still day and so some research on your own.  I don't think you'll regret the time spent confirming that the river really does look this stunning from time to time.

Finally, I think I captured the night time photo of Union Station that I've been trying to catch.

Union Station at Night

This one isn't perfect, and I really do wish this white marble building was lighted like the Capitol Dome (which is made of iron by the way).  That said, I think this is good enough for my purposes related to my friend's nuptials and the role this building may or may not play in cementing the relationship that it certainly played a role in forming.

The winter is quickly approaching, and there will be times that the cold will make a bid to drive you inside for quite a bit of the season.  I encourage anyone and everyone to avoid this temptation and get out and walk. There is beauty all around, and if you need a walking companion, you know the area to look out for me.