Purple tulips at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      Springtime in Virginia
      Netherlands Carillon
      Arlington, Virginia
      April, 2009

      When we were in Virginia, Mike and I spent an afternoon walking around the Iwo Jima and the tulip gardens at the Netherlands Carillon. Before we moved to Colorado, I lived in Arlington for four years, and this was my favorite spot. I’d come to the Carillon with a book, and look out over the DC monuments while listening to the bell concerts. Because the Carillon was a gift from the Netherlands, each spring there are beautiful Dutch tulips in bloom.

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      Ally, smiling for the camera

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      I prefer to photograph flowers with back lighting. Here’s a tulip with the sun behind it…

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      … and for comparison’s sake, I took a photo of a tulip from the other direction. Not as pretty, huh?

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      Ally stuck her tongue out at the camera this time.

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      Here’s the Carillon. It’s a bell tower that plays music.

      Two-toned tulip at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      I loved this two-color tulip. It was the only one we saw like it.

      Tulips at the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial seen from Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Iwo Jima in Arlington, Virginia
      The Iwo Jima

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

      Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia
      Baby leaves! Hooray for spring!

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      COMMENTS

      I was looking through a batch of flower pictures I’d taken recently, and looks like I unconsciously did use backlighting. I think I’m going to use that a little more deliberately from now on. 🙂

      Thanks once again for being an inspiration.

      No, but I’d love to learn more about it. Thanks very much for the link.

      I’m glad you got a chance to go, Amy!

      I’ve never seen one like that before! It was clearly a mutant.

      That’s nice of you to say, thanks. 🙂 I hope you’ll love your studies in photography. So exciting!

      I’m no expert on flower imagery, but I’ve photographed a wedding flower or two, and I love that backlight strategy.

      I agree! I used to walk there for the fireworks each year when I lived in the Courthouse area. Great views, and avoids traffic!

      So true! She’s the star of our little world!

      It should still be pretty then — there are always beautiful spots to discover! I just hope you arrive before the intense summer swelter. 😉

      Wow, that is so pretty!

      Hey, I came across this: http://www.oplove.org/ and was wondering if you were involved?

      I love these! I didn’t know there were tulips like that in DC – I must get up there to see them before they are gone. SO beautiful!!

      amy

      beautiful…

      Beautiful! I really miss DC/Arlington in the spring.

      These are just gorgeous photos! Nicely done!

      beautiful tulips…that one that is orange on one side and yellow on the other is amazing!

      These photos are amazing! Tulips are my favorite.

      I’m going back to school for photography in the fall. I hope I can be half as good as you. Just saying.

      those are beautiful! i love tulips!

      Absolutely beautiful!!!

      I’m a big fan of that two-color tulip picture. Also, I love the comparison of the back-lit tulip and the, er, not-back-lit tulip.

      those are beautiful! i love tulips!

      Beautiful. 🙂 Also, you and Mike are the cutest couple ever.

      I love Ally! I love how she’s the star of most of your personal photos. 🙂

      That dual color tulip is awesome!

      Love the pic of Ally with her tongue out 😛

      I love the Netherlands Carillon, too, and have found it to be the best place to see fireworks on 4 July!

      Oh, wow. Your posts always blow me away! We’re heading to D.C. in a few weeks. IT won’t be nearly this pretty then. :-/ At least I can enjoy the spring color here!

      Oh, wow. Your posts always blow me away! We’re heading to D.C. in a few weeks. IT won’t be nearly this pretty then. :-/ At least I can enjoy the spring color here!

      Simply gorgeous

      Charlotte Geary

      CHARLOTTE GEARY

      Lifestyle, event, and portrait photographer with a vibrant, joyful style and 17 years of professional experience.

      Located in Reston, Virginia near Washington, D.C. and available for travel.

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