The swallows, originally uploaded by raoulpop.

A crop from a larger photo. I didn’t have a telephoto lens with me. They saw me but let me approach. The funny thing is that the female (the one of the left) kept chirping and looking at the male (the one on the right) for clues about what to do. He would chirp reassuringly as he kept an eye on me, and she’d stay on the perch. When I got too close, the female let out an alarm chirp and flew away. The male looked at me for a few more seconds, then flew away as well. Interesting how social and communicative they are. Taken in North Bethesda, MD, USA.

Afternoon view, originally uploaded by raoulpop.

Japanese maple trees glowing in the late afternoon sun.

On the Potomac River, originally uploaded by raoulpop.

A bend in the Potomac River, near Cabin John, MD, USA, in the summer.

Path that I will follow, originally uploaded by raoulpop.

This is a little path through the forest that grows alongside the Potomac River, near Great Falls, MD, USA.