The calendar said December 1st, the thermometer said almost 70 degrees, the sun was shining and some interesting clouds were moving across the sky. Time for a quick run into the city for an unplanned photo shoot. My weather app showed a storm was coming in from the west so it would be a quick trip. With nothing specific in mind, I put my fate in the hands of the parking gods. They apparently were in a generous mood and provided a vacant spot on Constitution Avenue directly across the street from the National Archives. Not bad. Here are a few images from the next 45 minutes. When I saw the storm clouds moving in from the West (last Image), it was time to go.
Main Entrance Pediment, National Archives
Cropped, Black and White Version
View from the National Gallery of Art Skating Rink
Looking Up, Plaza Level of Main Entrance
Main Entrance Plaza. Looking Southeast
Approaching Storm, Looking Southwest
photographybykent 
Bizarre, wasn’t it? December 1, and people in the DC metro area are running around in shorts and T-shirts!
I love how you’ve used different angles to capture the Plaza images. Good idea.
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Thanks very much. They don’t let people enter through those massive front doors so the Plaza area is pretty much deserted which makes it great for photographers.
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Love the 3rd image works beautifully with the clouds and the lady on her phone!
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Yes, I believe she may have been checking a photograph she took. The image I took immediately before that one showed her pointing the phone at the Archives building (as she was skating toward it).
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Stunning. And got a chuckle from the “texting while skating” image. Is nothing sacred?
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Thanks for the comments, appreciate your checking in. As I mentioned to Manal above, she may have checking a picture on the phone, but pretty funny nevertheless. Actually, I had spoken with her a few minutes earlier. Just as I got to the rink, she and her mother skated up to the edge and asked me to take a picture of them on the ice. As I always do in that situation, I asked them where they were from. Sheboygan, Wisconsin. They were quite amused at our concept of winter.
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Great series of images ‘by chance’ but ready to go indeed! The approaching storm looks good in B&W.
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Thank you for the comments and for visiting. As it turned out, it was a pretty standard rain storm. But it was impressive rolling in.
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All are beautiful, but 3 & 5 are spectacular. The sky looks so amazing and the image has an amazing depth of field, love it. And those collumns in monochrome are so powerful, almost intimidating. You really have an ongoing love affair with DC, it always shows in your images.
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Thanks so much for those very nice words. I really appreciate it.
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Robin, I just love your photographs. For me, the storm approaching is a work of art, and I really like the skating rink with the woman reading while she skates. Thank you for all you do to brighten up our days. You are a true artist !
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Thank you, it’s very kind of you to say that. I’m pleased that you like the images.
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It was raining the whole day in New York on Dec 2. The second photos from the top and from the bottom are my favorites. Thank you for sharing! And the clouds are indeed interesting to look at.
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Hi, and thanks for visiting and for your comments. Yes, we had rain all day yesterday also. A few degrees lower and it would have been snow.
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Robin, these are all wonderful shots! I got a kick out of the woman using her phone while ice skating. Had that been me, I would have ended up on my backside. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t need any “help” from the phone – I would have ended up that way regardless 🙂 I especially love the plaza shots – such fantastic perspectives and detail and gorgeous in B&W. I feel as if I’m standing right there!
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Thanks, Stacy. Nice to hear those comments. The phone-skater wasn’t very steady but she never fell. However, few people were on the ice so she didn’t get any surprise bumps from people whizzing by.
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It pays to be ready and flexible. A lovely series of shots. I visited DC for a week years ago for the first time and mostly took “tourist” shots. I’d love to go back and get more interesting shots, as you have done.
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Wonderful photos! I just love DC … it’s such a great place for photography!
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Hi Robyn, great imagea for a “quick unplanned session” I love the plaza images. The photo of the girl texting and skating is a great lifestyle image.
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