Green Heron
Category: photography
Yellow Crowned Night Heron
I saw a very cool shore bird today who was not at all camera shy, so I made a little video which can be viewed here:
Some still images can be found at the link below. The deer were scampering around just a few yards behind the Heron.
A few yards the other way, I saw a Green Heron sharing a branch with a duck. He must be very friendly because my neighbor captured a photo with him sharing a branch with a Little Blue Heron.
Still Images:
All of this great wildlife is just a few miles from my house in Washington, DC., at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, which can be easily accessed from the Anacostia River Trail. Both the trail and the gardens are among my favorite places in DC. Another great thing is that if you access the gardens from the trail, you can visit before the park opens or after it closes. Bring a picnic and you will likely have the whole place to yourself, surrounded by birds, turtles, deer, and the river beavers – all captured on my Vimeo channel:
https://vimeo.com/user151033887 (copy and paste this link, if the hyperlink is not working)
Photo of the day
Eastern Bluebird
Lilly Pads
Egrets and Osprey
I set up a tripod this morning, very early around 6 am. The rowers were out and the birds were singing and looking for food.
Full Video Here (1.5 minutes) : https://vimeo.com/853712893
At around the one minute mark, an egret passes by another that I am filming.
Why I love the Anacostia River Trail
I actually recorded this video and photos standing on the trail, which is inside the District of Columbia.
Video link:
Plants and animals of the District of Columbia.
I like to bike along the Anacostia River Trail. To see more wildlife, try to go very early morning, especially if the tide is low.
Video showcase:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We went a little overboard with the decorations this year, but the kids in the neighborhood are super delighted to pass by on their way to the park. Most of the adults also seem to smile as they walk. We usually have free stickers and those are also very popular.
Lots of people take picture, but most forget to use our hashtag: #DCflamingos
We have a selfie-frame and an illuminated arbor:
Insider Tips for seeing Cherry Blossoms
The most iconic location to view the Cherry Blossoms is obviously the Tidal Basin adjacent to the Jefferson Memorial. However, that area gets extremely crowded, and getting there by car is often a frustrating experience, unless you go very early in the morning and know where to park [Haines Point].
Nearby Haines Point is also a fabulous location see see them and depending upon the time of day, is much less crowded. There is a loop that you can bike, walk or drive. The southern most part of the loop is closed to cars until 7 am. You will have especially great views if you circumnavigate the whole loop.
It is always better to walk, Metro, or bike. Smithsonian Metro and/or L’Enfant Metro are not too far from great vistas. If you exit at L’Enfant Metro and follow this walking map [passing by the Spy Museum], you can cross over to Haines Point by bridge. https://goo.gl/maps/4q7Py9D9UkWXSH7A6
If you end up at the DC Wharf, which is a tourist destination itself, eat some seafood and/or buy a Cuban Coffee at the Colada Shop. There is also a Mexican restaurant there, Mi Vida, that has some nice outdoor seating [on three different levels], and if you go during lunch, there is a sampler menu item that is priced just right for the amount of food that you get. Otherwise, the food is very good, but a bit expensive. The Seafood Market is where all the locals go to buy seafood. One of the main vendors, just recently pulled up anchor and sailed away. Not sure where they went.
There are lots of other places to view the Cherry Blossoms. One that is nearby and frequently overlooked is Stanton Park. Though it is a very small park, the trees are spectacular and there are not large crowds to contend with.
Nearby are some great restaurants, including my favorites: Cafe Berlin [great outdoor space] and Nostra Cucina. If you amble further north to the H St. area, there are tons more great options including: Laos in Town [great outdoor space], Ethiopic, and Cane.
Further north and west, you can view them in Bethesda’s Kenwood neighborhood. I believe sometimes they bloom there a few days later than around the Tidal Basin. This year, Stanton Park seemed in peak bloom before the other areas, second was the Tidal Basin, and third was Haines Point.
Sunrise or sunset are usually the best times to view them and to take photos.
Around Lafayette Square and especially in from of the U.S. Treasury Building on 15th and Pennsylvania, there are also some very pretty trees that have gorgeous pink flowers, but are not Cherry Blossoms.
Also, the National Arboretum never disappoints.
Congressional Cemetery
Oxon Run Park – Has over 200 cherry blossom trees! Location: 1200 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032
Montrose Park – A great option if you have kids, because there is a playground in the park. Location: 3052 R St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Oak Hill Cemetary – It boasts not only cherry blossoms but also magnolias. Location: 3001 R St NW, Washington, DC 20007
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Cherry Blossoms
Worthy Mouse Clicks 