Tag Archives: blue heron

Almost there

Posted on April 11, 2018 by John M

Three weeks ago we had a snowstorm just after the first day of Spring. The dip in temperatures delayed the peak bloom of the cherry blossoms on the Tidal Basin by a few weeks, and it’s just now coming to … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged blue heron, Lake Accotink, Virginia bluebells | Comments Off

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Posted on June 17, 2016 by John M

On Wednesday I drove out to Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary to take a look around for a hike we’re doing this coming Saturday. Jug Bay is due east of Washington DC and very close, only 12 miles from the I-495 … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged Black Rat Snake, blue heron, Jug Bay, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, nature, osprey, outdoors, Patuxent River, River Farm, Spiderwort, Swamp Rose, wildlife | 3 Comments

Piscataway Park

Posted on September 3, 2015 by John M

Wednesday afternoon I was out snooping around Piscataway Park and the National Colonial Farm to prepare for a hike I scheduled for this coming Sunday. Piscataway Park is named for Piscataway Creek, which in turn is named for the Piscataway … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged blue heron, butterfiles, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Mount Vernon, nature, outdoors, Piscataway Park, Piscataway Tribe, Potomac River, Spicebush Swallowtail, wildlife | 6 Comments

Unpredictable

Posted on June 13, 2015 by John M

We’re at that time of year, around here anyway, when the weather is very unpredictable. There are thunderstorms in the forecast for just about every day, but half the time they don’t materialize, so you might as well schedule your … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged Accotink Creek, blue heron, fairfax county virginia, Great Falls National Park, nature, osprey, outdoors, Potomac River, turkey vulture, wildlife | 2 Comments

A brief reprieve

Posted on February 9, 2015 by John M

Consulting the weather forecast is always a good idea when planning hikes (or any outdoor activities), but especially during the winter season. Even then, you just never know what you’re going to get. A couple of weekends ago we were … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Billy Goat Trail, blue heron, Burke Lake, C&O Canal, Civil War fortifications, Dumbarton Oaks, fairfax county virginia, Fort Ward, Great Falls National Park, nature, outdoors, Potomac River, Rock Creek Park, South Run, Tregaron Conservancy, Washington DC, wildlife | 4 Comments

Down to zero

Posted on November 24, 2014 by John M

The past three weekends have been filled with hikes, as Mother Nature put on her Autumnal show of colors before finally turning the temperatures down to zero. Here’s a few highlights: Brookside Gardens Brookside Gardens, in Wheaton-Glenmont, MD, with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged Billy Goat Trail, blue heron, Boulder Bridge, Brookside Gardens, C&O Canal, deer, Fort Ethan Allen Park, Great Falls National Park, Gulf Branch, nature, outdoors, Peirce Mill, Potomac Heritage Trail, Potomac River, Rock Creek Park, Washington DC, Wheaton Park, wildlife | 4 Comments

Another new spot

Posted on July 30, 2014 by John M

This past weekend we tried the same hiking recipe as the weekend before: a new hiking route on Saturday, this time around Old Town Fairfax, Virginia; followed by an old favorite on Sunday, Difficult Run, starting from Colvin Run Mill … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged blue heron, Colvin Run Mill, Daniel's Run, Difficult Run, Fairfax, Historic Fairfax City, nature, Old Lee Highway, Old Town Fairfax, outdoors, Stacy C. Sherwood Center, wildlife | 15 Comments

Sesquicentennial and a sultry garden

Posted on July 16, 2014 by John M

Last weekend I went on a couple of hikes that were about as far apart in both subject matter and venue as you can get! On Saturday we went on a 6-mile hike in Washington D.C., on the sesquicentennial anniversary … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, History, Photography | Tagged Anacosia River, Battle of Monocacy, blue heron, Fort Stevens, General Jubal Early, kenilworth aquatic gardens, lotus, nature, orchid, outdoors, robin, water lillies, wildlife | 3 Comments

Carderock

Posted on December 22, 2013 by John M

A wonderful 6-mile hike on an unexpectedly warm, sunny Saturday on the Billy Goat Trail, sections B and C, starting from Carderock Recreation Area along the C&O Canal. (Google map here.) Section A is the most popular (and strenuous) part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Photography | Tagged Billy Goat Trail, blue heron, C&O Canal, Carderock, Great Blue Heron, nature, outdoors, wildlife | 1 Comment