Patrick Leahy Focuses on Instagram

The Senate’s pre-eminent photography enthusiast, Patrick J. Leahy , has dipped his toe into the well of frozen moments splayed across Instagram, sharing snippets of what it’s like to do the people’s business for a living.

A taxi row of cars in Havana — the colorful antiques that have become an iconic image of Cuba. Photo by Sen. Patrick Leahy.

A photo posted by Senator Patrick Leahy (@senatorleahy) on Feb 6, 2015 at 12:20pm PST

A lifelong shutterbug , the Vermont Democrat officially joined the picture-sharing service a few weeks back. According to staff, the prolific photographer — a collection of his work just completed a three-month run at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center in Vermont; other historic shots were featured last fall at Georgetown Law Center (he’s an alumnus) here in D.C. — is always at the ready to frame the perfect keepsake.

“He’s never without his Nikon digital,” Team Leahy said of the lawmaker’s constant state of alertness.

Three-quarters of his current online gallery at conveys behind-the-scenes glimpses of a recent field trip to Cuba.

The remaining images include:

Candid shots of him and his wife out on the town.

Marcelle and I in the iconic Instagram Car. And on the radio? Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River,” of course… A photo posted by Senator Patrick Leahy (@senatorleahy) on Feb 24, 2015 at 3:02pm PST

Tranquil scenes from the Green Mountain State.

#LakeChamplain at sunset.

A photo posted by Senator Patrick Leahy (@senatorleahy) on Feb 6, 2015 at 12:24pm PST

Obligatory shots of the Capitol Dome.

A photo posted by Senator Patrick Leahy (@senatorleahy) on Feb 24, 2015 at 3:05pm PST

And some weather-related ribbing of District denizens.

THIS is what Washington thinks of as a snowstorm. We Vermonters just smile at that…

A photo posted by Senator Patrick Leahy (@senatorleahy) on Feb 26, 2015 at 6:35am PST

Per staff, the plan is to try and fill the online ether with as many job-related exclusives as possible.

But his personal life is expected to bleed through.

“If you mean, ‘Will he pass up a gorgeous Vermont sunrise or moonrise when he sees one, or a vivid sunset over the Mall, or his traditional dawn stroll around the Tidal Basin at peak Cherry Blossom time?’ … I don’t think he will pass on those kinds of opportunities,” Team Leahy told HOH.

As with all things social media, Leahy has some catching up to do if he hopes to surpass social media darling Charles E. Grassley .

Former Gov. Bush and I were able to have a quick conversation at the Iowa Ag Summit

A photo posted by Chuck Grassley (@senatorchuckgrassley) on Mar 7, 2015 at 7:52am PST

The Iowa Republican has a two-month lead on his Judiciary Committee colleague — a tactical advantage that’s put him way ahead in terms of overall followers (669 and counting), prestige (Grassley’s already posed with at least one 2016 presidential hopeful.) and prominently displayed sweater vests (hail to the king , baby!).