Amy Linn Doherty Photography is a Washington, DC Area based photography and video production professional. She focuses on providing high quality, photography and video content for Websites and other media endeavors . VA, MD, DC
Additionally, Amy is an outdoor, travel enthusiast. who seeks out national parks and other natural settings for landscape and wildlife photography projects.
I plan to spend a good bit of time on the Potomac River this summer documenting its beauty and the recreation it provides to so many people. Despite significant investments and improvement of the water quality, after years and years of neglect and contamination, the Potomac’s water was once again under assault from a major sewage line break in Montgomery County, Maryland during the winter of 2026. Millions of gallons of waste water spilled directly into the Potomac and the C&O Canal.
The crowd was patient, moving from spot to spot–maybe just killing time. The children were asleep, draped across their parent’s lap or in strollers cranky or asleep. The rain drizzled but never poured, thankfully. The heat of the day abated with the incoming storms. Cell phones monitored the political goings-on, so we might have a better indication of when the literal fireworks would start. In the distance, other places went ahead with their fireworks at a customary time, fooling some into thinking the show had started.
10pm came and went. 11pm came and went. Some people came and went. I was ready to leave at 11:30pm, unwilling to wait any longer.
The American flag flying over the Iwo Jima as people wait for the fireworks.
The crowd was moving in all directions, but mostly watching the weather to determine when they should leave the safety of cover or brave the heat to find a spot to view the fireworks. Many arrived late in the evening, 9pm or later. I didn’t try to reach my usual spot in front of the Netherland Carillon, unsure of the how bad the rain or lightning might be, and greatly unsure of how long we’d wait for the start. My choice of spots probably represented a protest to the schedule of events. We ended up to the side of the Route 50 overpass, so we could make a quick getaway if the storms intensified or we just wanted to leave. I thought the movement of cars on the roadway against fireworks in the background might be visually interesting, in lieu of seeing the monuments in the background. It wasn’t really. As we stood there we watched as group after group of people took up positions along the roadway or crossed to look for other vantage points. The cars moved cautiously, spooked by all the people on or near the roadway. Police seemed unable or unwilling to stop viewers from gathering on the highway. The south bound traffic continued to flow.
Pedestrians illuminated by car lights on entry ramp to Rt. 50. from GW Parkway
It was nearly July 5th. At 11:50 pm-ish the fireworks started promptly following the end of the political show. We first heard a flush of excitement from the crowd at the Iwo Jima, so we knew something was happening. What many at first thought was a drone flying over slowly came into focus as a jet with its’ afterburners aglow. Admittedly, that was cool. As soon as it was out of sight the night sky blew up fully–the explosions much more encompassing than normal. It went on and on and on. People continued to cross and walk along Rt. 50.
The finale was so bright and overblown that night turned to day, and the fireworks were unseen within the smoke and light of the explosions.
The finale. Night turns to day.
I’ve lived in the Washington, DC Area most of my life, including the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, which was huge. The slogan for that event was, “Let’s Clean Up America for Our 200th Birthday”, and that was under the watch of a Republican President–Gerald Ford. I still have a sticker on my old guitar. Cleaning up America was a positive.
My point is, I’ve attended a lot of fireworks in D.C. The planned start for these fireworks was unnecessary and self-serving–families with children don’t want to wait until10:30, 11pm, and certainly not 11:50 pm. Perhaps the storms delayed the start to some extent, but the performances and speech could have gone ahead to minimize the wait for the crowds out in the elements–if only the people came first. A moment in time that could have felt very unifying, didn’t. It was just a big fireworks show, and that’s all because the people, meaning the masses of people gathered were left out.
My second year documenting and visiting the astounding Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in full bloom–water lilies and lotus’. This place makes you feel transported to somewhere far away. Good news though, it’s in D.C! These photos were taken in July.
Definitely, a big crowd for this year’s fireworks up by the Netherlands Carillon overlooking the DC skyline. I had to navigate around a lot of heads, so I only walked away with a handful of decent shots. My bad, I chose poorly in my positioning. Never again in that spot!! Also distracting was a lingering helicopter centered over the Lincoln Memorial in the middle of the show. I don’t know if the helicopter contributed to the smoke that hung in place and dulled many of the bursts. It’s not unusual for a helicopter to be in the vicinity during the show, but it is unusual for it to center itself over the Lincoln Memorial, as it did. It was so much a part of the show from this vantage, I framed it in a few shots.
Next year I want to sit with these guys!!
Happy July 4 weekend to all!
Copyright Amy Linn Doherty, 2025
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amy Linn Doherty with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
A recent trip to New River Gorge was an effort to keep a ball rolling on two long-standing projects. For many years I’ve researched my family’s ancestry, and West Virginia is a central part of that work. I can trace family back to many parts of the state. However, I have become very interested in the Cabin Creek area. Several relatives worked in the mines during the infamous mining upheaval of the early 1900s. Southern West Virginia is central to the story of America’s coal mining history. New River Gorge is also hard to resist for its obvious photographic opportunities.
Whenever I am back in West Virginia, the sights and sounds of the railroad trigger memories of my early childhood. We heard trains every day.
We hiked what is probably one of the most popular trails and then explored an abandoned mine. The Endless Wall Trail is a hike with plentiful views of New River Gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge. It’s popular and you pass lots of people.
Endless Wall Trail and other local sights
Our second hike along The Kaymoor Miner’s Trail was interesting, and not for those who are challenged by stairs and steep, loose rock. Both the down and up of the stairs puts legs to the test. I was carrying my camera gear and water and felt my calves shake as we headed down. We hit this trail early before the heat and humidity had a chance to make things very, very unpleasant. The mine ruins were interesting, but more details on the signage would make the leg pain more tolerable. At one time there was a small community of miners working and living along the river. The park’s website says this trail is about to undergo a several month closure for repairs and upgrades beginning June 30,2025.
Kaymoor Miners Trail
I made a few trips to the overlook at Grandview at different times of day, and the sunrise trip turned out to be the most impressive. On this morning, only the tips of the mountains poked through a heavenly, fog. There was the echo of trains moving below, unseen beneath the misty air. The tracks run parallel to a sharp elbow in the river here, but it couldn’t be seen. I hadn’t heard this noise in a long time. It took a moment to realize what it was.
All in all a great trip and the first of many more. I hope. What landscape surprises can I capture and what memories can I stir by getting closer to this place?
Copyright Amy Linn Doherty, 2025
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amy Linn Doherty with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
My first hiking trip to Dolly Sods, WV, recently. We covered a lot of ground–the Forks, Lion’s Head, Black Knob. Pretty severe thunderstorm on the first night made stream crossings the next day a little more frequent and difficult. I stayed dry which was all I was thinking about.
Lion’s HeadLooking up Fisher Spring Run for the Northern Lights during the night. No luck.
Please take a moment to like this post, or any other that you may have read. It makes a difference, and is much appreciated. ❤️ Happy trails!!
My first visit to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. Wow!!
Copyright Amy Linn Doherty 2024
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amy Linn Doherty with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
It was a steamy one this year! Apologies, a quick upload this morning was actually from a previous year’s fireworks. Whoopsie! Not sure how that happened, but I was rushing. I like these shots better. Hope you enjoy!
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Amy Linn Doherty with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Amy Linn Doherty 
You must be logged in to post a comment.