USA Capitol Reflection, Washington DC

The United States Capitol, often called the Capitol Building, is the home of the United States Congress, and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Though no longer at the geographic center of the Federal District, the Capitol forms the origin point for the District's street-numbering system and the District's four quadrants.

The original building was completed in 1800 and was subsequently expanded, particularly with the addition of the massive dome, and expanded chambers for the bicameral legislature, the House of Representatives in the south wing and the Senate in the north wing. Like the principal buildings of the executive and judicial branches, the Capitol is built in a distinctive neoclassical style and has a white exterior. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to as fronts, though only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries.

This shot is from the Capitol Reflecting Pool looking east toward the west front of the Capitol, which is where modern inauguration ceremonies are held. In earlier eras, the President's inauguration was on the east front of the Capitol. The best time to shoot here is at sunrise because you are looking east across the Reflecting Pool toward the Capitol.

Park at the U.S. Botanic Gardens next door to the Reflecting Pool.