White Water Red Kayak on the Potomac

Great Falls, Maryland is one of the premier parks in the Washington, DC area.  The Billy Goat Trail is in my top five trails of all time.  It is also a great spot to make photographs. The landscape is totally unexpected for this part of the country.  There is really nothing else like it around here.  Almost everyday you will find kayakers paddling and exploring the Potomac River.  The majority of the Potomac is rather calm (although the tides are very strong and the river is quite deep).  This section at Great Falls Park is as violent and daunting as any section of river east of the Mississippi.  Only the most experienced kayakers will risk their lives to run this section of falls.  Not all survive (no joke).  A few images of a couple guys hitting the falls.  I was so happy to see the red kayaks.

obrien_090916_2536

obrien_090916_2496

obrien_090916_2523

obrien_090916_2534

obrien_090916_2539
obrien_090916_2518

Potomac Paddlers

Occasionally, I need to step away from the computer and de-compress with nature.  My most recent go-to spot is along the Potomac River across from Anglers Inn.  This location is perfect because it takes about 10 minutes to get there, has a pretty nice western view, lots of privacy and great rocks to climb on.  It’s also a put in spot for local kayakers heading to Great Falls.  It’s a peaceful place for me and I almost always find something interesting to photograph there. A few shots from last week.

obrien_090830_1359.2

obrien_090830_1389.2

potomac pano 1

obrien_090830_1463

Piper Biker and the Cross Country Ride

Over the past ten years I have logged many thousands of miles in the saddle. I’ve biked all over the country at many of the most spectacular and famous locations known in the cycling world. I thought I was a very serious biker until I met Piper. Piper redefines what it means to be a “serious biker”.  Having already peddled across two continents she is currently planning an epic ride across America.  If that wasn’t enough she will carry 50 pounds of gear and pull a trailer with her best friend and constant companion Red.  In the past year I have photographed Piper on her mountain bike many times.  Obviously, I was thrilled when she asked if I would shoot some images of her and Red on the Surly Touring Bike.  Photographing cyclists has always been one of my passions.  I love the energy, grace, adventure and beauty of the sport.  These images and others will be used to further Piper’s ultimate goal of spreading awareness of Black Dog Syndrome to the world.  The bike is made by Surly Bikes and the trailer is made by Burley.  The images were made in Annapolis and Black Water Refuge, near Cambridge, Md.

obrien_090901_1658.2

obrien_090901_1564.4

obrien_090901_1790.1

obrien_090901_2135

obrien_090901_1980

obrien_090901_2041

obrien_090901_2281

obrien_090901_2249

obrien_090901_2164.2