On a long walk along the Potomac River a couple of weeks ago, I stopped to take some photos of National Airport. Its full name is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, but that name is so long that most of just refer to it as National Airport. One of its nicest features is that it is just across the river from Washington DC. and is incredibly convenient to access. In addition, I find it really cool-looking and really like the control tower and the “Jeffersonian” domes that make up the terminal.
Control Tower and terminal at National Airport
Jut past the north end of the runway there is a park, called Gravelly Point, where you have an incredible view of planes taking off and landing. When I was there, it seemed like it was mostly fathers and their young sons who were observing the aircraft. Here’s a shot I took from that location of a plane taking off. In the background you can see Woodrow Wilson Bridge, one of the major bridges that crosses the Potomac River.
Taking off from National Airport
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Gosh, I like your golden plane shot.
Thanks. I rediscovered a child-like joy watching the planes take off and land. Usually I am drawn to nature, but I never know what will attract my attention.
ha! ain’t it the truth.
You caught the light perfectly in the plane shot!
Thanks. I played a little with the settings and actually tweaked the white balance a bit. I am pretty happy with the final image, though, even if the light reflects a slightly later time of the day than it actually was.
Cool! That last photo looks like an ad for something…
Thanks, Sue. I played around a little with the settings, which I think made it look a little “stylized.” I like the way that it turned out.