Several weeks back while walking on the National Mall I heard a loud noise coming up behind me nd turned just in time to see a helicopter zip past me headed in the direction of the White House. It was close enough that I could tell from its colors that it was one from the presidential fleet. It continued its approach toward the south lawn, descending as it went along and finally disappeared from view, when wonder of wonders, it rose again into the sky and came around for another pass; they were doing touch and go’s! (The first family was out of town at the time)

I turned my camera on and waited as he went around and entered his final approach again, but since I was standing in the approach pattern, I had a tough time getting a picture, and I missed him entirely! On the third time around, I was ready for him, and following him as best I could as he came in, I snapped, still not sure if I had him in the frame or not, and then snapped him from behind as he continued the approach.

When I uploaded the pictures later that evening, I was delighted to have gotten lucky with these two shots, both of which have previously been posted on Photo Vistas, my photo blog. The shot above is a close up taken with full zoom on the action setting as I followed the aircraft with my camera hoping it was lined up right; pure luck! (Thank you Lord)

The one below gives a little perspective on my location in relation to visible landmarks after zoom was retracted. The White House is visible just to the left of the silver car.

The only thing more fun to have gotten a the picture  above, that relates to this particular flight would have been from the aircraft itself. I was once lucky enough to be on of these choppers on this approach, and the view is breathtaking to say the least!