Top local photos of 2017

WASHINGTON — An inauguration with disputed crowd numbers, protests over women’s rights, immigration and science, a white supremacist rally and a historic local election are just some of the events that happened in 2017 in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

WTOP reporters covered some major local events of the year and many others in between. Scroll through these photos to see the local sights and scenes of 2017.

The attendance during President Donald Trump’s inauguration was a contentious issue in 2017, when it drew comparisons between President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. In an attempt to put the issue to rest, former White House press secretary Sean Spicer said, “This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period.” WTOP took a closer look at the numbers and crowd sizes, read more here. (AP Photo)

Protests flared in Washington, D.C. during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

Protesters set a parked limousine on fire in downtown Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, during the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
(AP Photo/Juliet Linderman) — Protesters set a parked limousine on fire in downtown Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Juliet Linderman)

McPherson Square is a hub for protesters this Inauguration Day. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — Protesters flock to McPherson Square is on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2017. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

One of the larger demonstrations during President Trump's inauguration ceremony marched off the Interstate 395 Southwest Freeway onto Independence Avenue. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — One of the larger demonstrations during President Trump’s inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2017, marched off the Interstate 395 Southwest Freeway onto Independence Avenue. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

A girl holds a sign during the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — A girl holds a sign during the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

In this Jan. 21, 2017 file photo, a crowd fills Independence Avenue during the Women’s March on Washington, in Washington. The major protests in Washington that have greeted President Donald Trump’s first year in office are set to return in force, continuing an already expensive year for city officials who work to keep people safe during mass gatherings. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

Women with bright pink hats and signs began to gather early to make their voices heard on the first full day of Donald Trump’s presidency, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in Washington. Organizers of the Women’s March on Washington expected more than 200,000 people to attend the gathering. More than 400,000 people showed up in D.C. alone with Metro recording its second busiest day ever in terms of ridership. In all, more than 3 million people attended marches in 400 cities across the U.S. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Liz Glusman, from D.C., joins a crowd protesting in Lafayette Park near the White House during a demonstration to denounce President Donald Trump’s executive order that barred citizens of seven predominantly Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

People were thrown into the air as a car drove into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 12, 2017. The white nationalists were holding the rally to protest plans by the city of Charlottesville to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. There were several hundred counterprotesters marching in a long line when the car drove into a group of them. /The Daily Progress via AP) (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP)

Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: People gather for a rally during the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, September 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. Fans of the band Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, are protesting their identification as a gang by the FBI in a 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) — People gathered for a rally during the Juggalo March, at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, Sept. 16, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Fans of the band Insane Clown Posse, known as Juggalos, are protesting their identification as a gang by the FBI in a 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)

Marchers waved Puerto Rican flags during the March for Puerto Rico in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Nov. 19. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) — Marchers wave Puerto Rican flags during the March for Puerto Rico in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Nov. 19. “The Unity for Puerto Rico March” featured politicians as well as several celebrities, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, who worked to highlight the devastated island territory and update the 1920 law called the Jones Act, which mandates that American ships distribute all its goods. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

A weak tornado swept across the Potomac River, carving a path of damage across the District. The early afternoon whirlwind downed several trees cherry trees near the Tidal Basin then skipped through the center of downtown, peeling the roof off of St. Aloysius Church on North Capitol Street. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — A weak tornado swept across the Potomac River, carving a path of damage across the District. The early afternoon whirlwind downed several trees cherry trees near the Tidal Basin then skipped through the center of downtown, peeling the roof of St. Aloysius Church on North Capitol Street on April 6, 2017. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

On April 21, 2017, an intense, rotating thunderstorm blew into the northern suburbs of Washington. The supercell storm produced hail stones the size of quarters and golf balls in a swath from Chevy Chase to Takoma Park and downed countless trees that afternoon. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — On April 21, 2017, an intense, rotating thunderstorm blew into the northern suburbs of Washington. The supercell storm produced hail stones the size of quarters and golf balls in a swath from Chevy Chase to Takoma Park, Maryland, and downed countless trees that afternoon. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

A dramatic lightning show flickered across the skies above the region late on May 18, 2017. A dazzling display of spider lightning rippled across dark storm clouds throughout the metro area. Wind gusts below the storms felled a few trees in Burke, Woodbridge and Dumfries but the damage was relatively minor. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — A dramatic lightning show flickered across the skies above the region late on May 18, 2017. A dazzling display of spider lightning rippled across dark storm clouds throughout the metro area. Wind gusts below the storms felled a trees in Burke, Woodbridge and Dumfries in Virginia, but the damage was relatively minor. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Facing Friendship Heights (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Ominous, dark clouds approach Friendships Heights in D.C. Severe thunderstorms blew through the D.C. area Monday, June 19, 2017, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado with winds reaching 70 mph hit Montgomery County, Maryland, just before 4 p.m. Monday. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

The remains of a downed tree tower over its stump in Stevensville, Maryland on Monday, July 24, 2017. (WTOP/Steve Dresner) — A powerful storm through Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, left extensive destruction in its wake. Pictured is the remains of a downed tree tower over its stump in Stevensville, Maryland, on Monday, July 24, 2017. (WTOP/Steve Dresner)

Police in Annadale, Virginia, block off Woodburn Road at Accotink Creek that is covered with more than two feet of water. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Police in Annandale, Virginia, block off Woodburn Road at Accotink Creek that is covered with more than two feet of water. Drenching downpours enveloped the D.C. region on July 28, 2017. Some places saw more than five inches of rain in just a few hours. Flash flooding occurred in many locales including in Fairfax County where Accoktink Creek swelled over its banks and onto Woodburn Road. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Even after officials gained control of the fire, crews remained on scene through Monday evening because of the hot spots. (Courtesy Mark Brady) — A five-alarm fire in College Park on April 24, 2017, prompted the largest fire response in the history of Prince George’s County and caused an estimated $39 million in damage. (Courtesy Mark Brady)

The graduation gown of Richard Collins III is draped on a chair during graduation on May 23, 2017. Collins was due to graduate from the University of Maryland three days before he was stabbed to death by Sean Urbanski in an apparent hate crime. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

Mahmoud Hassanen Aboras, father of Nabra Hassanen, right, gets a hug from a supporter Wednesday, June 21, 2017, in Reston, Virginia, prior to the start of a vigil in honor of Nabra, who was killed over the weekend. Islamic leaders questioned Virginia detectives’ insistence that the beating death of Nabra appears to have been a case of road rage, saying the attack looked like a hate crime. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

AP Photo/Steve Helber

Supporters of #$15minumwage wait for #MOCO council to take final vote

A post shared by Kate Ryan (@kateryanwtop) on Nov 7, 2017 at 8:06am PST

A supporter of a $15-an-hour minimum wage waits for the council vote, Nov. 7, 2017. Montgomery County’s Council voted to pass a $15-an-hour minimum wage that would take effect by 2024. The measure would be enacted in phases depending on the number of workers employed by businesses. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

In one of the most closely watched races in the country, Democrat Danica Roem, a local journalist, defeated Republican Del. Bob Marshall in Virginia’s 13th District, which includes parts of Prince William County and Manassas Park. Roem, who carried 54 percent of the vote, made history as the first openly transgender elected official in Virginia history. (AP Foto/Steve Helber, File)

AP Foto/Steve Helber, File

For the first time in 99 years, a total solar eclipse crossed the United States on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. An estimated audience of 200 million people watched the moon move in front of the sun, either in person, on TV or online. Martha Harris watches the eclipse in Washington, D.C. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)

The sun rises in D.C. on the day of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) — The sun rises in D.C. on the day of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Jan. 20, 2017. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

Drive home #weatherdrama #rainbow

A post shared by Kate Ryan (@kateryanwtop) on May 1, 2017 at 5:49pm PDT

Double rainbows appeared in the area. Multiple times. Here is one captured by WTOP reporter Kate Ryan during her commute on May 1, 2017. And on July 24, 2017, after storms moved through the D.C. area, many people spotted double and single rainbows in the sky. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

A little drama on this #wildlifewednesday Food fights are common among Bald Eagles.

A post shared by Kate Ryan (@kateryanwtop) on May 31, 2017 at 11:17am PDT

WTOP reporter Kate Ryan captured these majestic bald eagles having a food fight. (WTOP/Kate Ryan) (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)