Kathie Scarrah

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January 25, 2020 - “It’s Not as Easy as Black and White” Photo by Kathie Scarrah

Impeachment Trial - January 25, 2020 black and white of cars parked on Capitol plaza. Why did these cars which brought the President's legal team to Capitol Hill look like funeral transportation?

On this gloomy Saturday morning, the world awaited the opening arguments by the President’s legal team as they made their case in the U.S. Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. I found the visuals on the exterior of the U.S. Capitol just as interesting. Why did the legal team arrive in what looked like hearses? Captured in black and white this shot demonstrated the contrasts from the colorful explosions in the Senate chamber with a somber reality - only 360 days until the next inaugural. Where will the Nation be then?

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February 27, 2020 - “On Top of Pierre’s Knob - There’s No Place Like Home.” Photo by Kathie Scarrah

February 27, 2020 - one of the clearest days I've skied in decades. Taken from the top of Pierre's Knob at Bridger Bowl in southwest Montana.

It was a stunning day in February when I last snapped on my skis and headed down my favorite black diamond run, PIerre’s Knob at Bridger Bowl, one of a handful of not-for-profit ski areas remaining in the United States. Located a little more than 17 miles north of Bozeman, MT, (my hometown, which is often cited as one of the best little ski towns in the world), I was still perplexed why the face of this run over the years, was upgraded from an intermediate to a black diamond run. Though narrow and challenging it was always less frightening than the easier way down the face; the road. After a life changing fall down two steps in Alexandria, VA this spring; this shot may have been my last view from the top. If the 20-21 ski season opens, I hope to be on the slopes next spring but I fear my black diamond days are over. Damn steps!

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March 20, 2020 - “Photo Bomb While Trying to Get a Shot of the U.S. Capitol” Photo by Kathie Scarrah

March 20, 2020 - When you least expect it - someone rides into your frame of shot. As the Nation began to consider the pandemic, people were starting to wear masks and social distance in Washington DC. The unexpected became the "norm" in 2020.

Most of the metro Washington D.C. area, and the entire federal government began teleworking earlier this week. I had heard the cherry blossoms were starting to appear, so I decided to drive by the Capitol after an appointment downtown to catch a few blooms before logging back on to my computer. Since I really didn’t have time to do a proper photo shoot; I sat in my car to capture what images I could. This young biker was as surprised to see me as I was to see him. Even before it was mandatory, we both were wearing masks and social distancing as he rode into my shot. In March, people were still not completely on board with this new normal. I didn’t ask his name; but he really added to the stillness of this photo. On a typical March day, there would be buses of school kids on spring break visiting Washington, D.C.

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April 12, 2020 - “Happy Easter - We’re Closed”. Photo by Kathie Scarrah

Easter Sunday - April 12, 2020. Entry to Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, VA.

Easter 2020 was surreal. Places of worship closed, restaurants closed, people afraid to socialize due to the fast spreading coronavirus pandemic. Another dreary day in the metro region when everyone was beginning to realize COVID may be around for awhile. I couldn’t just sit in the house, so I took a walk to Fort Ward Park on West Braddock Road in Alexandria, VA. Located just six miles south of Washington, D.C., Fort Ward is the fifth largest Union fort built during the Civil War to defend the nation’s capital. As the sign says; “This park amenity is closed,” but there were many people walking the paths through this quiet, historical site operated by the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

Ms. Scarrah has been a member of the NPC for more than 18 years. She has been a member of many NPC committees, served as a judge for the NPC Annual awards, exhibited dozens of photos at the annual Members Photography Exhibit and traveled extensively with the former NPC Travel Committee to Thailand, Cambodia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Myanmar and Vietnam. She will return to Montana in September where she has threatened to write a "murder mystery" or explore travel writing and investigative reporting opportunities.

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