Geese Everywhere in Lady Bird Park

Our intended destination today was Theodore Roosevelt island. But we missed our exit and were redirected towards the pentagon. Rather than continue back we decided to just keep moving ahead a bit and stop at Lady Bird Johnson Park. This time of year it is typical to see flocks of Canada geese. And they were everywhere here. All I know is that they can be very mean so we always keep our distance from them. In the Midwest someone was attacked by one at the office where I worked. The geese were hanging around the marina area. After we walked through the tunnel to the other side of the GW Parkway they were hanging  around the navy-marine memorial. They were floating in the water along the path. They were the perfect backdrop to the Washington Monument and for all of the planes flying overhead along the Potomac River that were landing at Reagan airport. And they were in front of the Lincoln Memorial… and the Jefferson Memorial. Then Marine One flew overhead and eventually landed at the White House. As we were walking back to the car another huge flock started moving en masse toward greener pastures. Then they started walking single file in another direction following their leader. All I can say is these birds are huge and you don’t want to mess with them. We see more wildlife in the city. Maybe it’s because they are so well protected. 

Old Town Geese, Pigeons and Rice

We have a very old bag of rice that we don’t feel comfortable consuming. But rather than throw it out we decided to keep it and bring some of it along on our morning walks. It’s been quite successful with squirrels and sparrows on the national mall. They squirrels almost do tricks for you to get at it. The other day we took a ride to Old Town Alexandria. We tend to start the morning walk by the waterfront then come back down one of the old historic streets. There is one area by the tall ship where pigeons, geese, ducks, seagulls, and crows hang around. We skipped that area this time. Further down the way there’s a place where all the sightseeing and personal watercraft are moored. There was a pair of geese looking up at us. So we threw some rice their way and they weren’t very interested. But the pigeons definitely were and started to call in all their friends from everywhere in sight. It’s amazing that such a tiny morsel of rice will do the trick. But when it’s cold outside anything must look good. 

Old Town Pigeons, Geese and Ducks

As we were strolling around Old Town last week in search of a “high key” photo for the weekly challenge, we stopped to sit on a bench in the park by the Potomac River. But the lawnmower was too close for comfort so we decided to move along to the docks. There is always a bunch of birds hanging around. More often than not someone is handing out bread crumbs for the myriad of birds that eagerly wait for them. There are plenty of ducks, and plenty of geese. There are also pigeons - but they are never in the water. This time, all of them were in the water. It was quite comical. Most of them were sitting on driftwood. One in particular looked like a lumberjack doing the log roll. It was actually quite comical. Then we walked further on the dock to see the boats and the tall ship that is housed there. There was another pigeon sitting on the dock tie staring back at us. Behind him was a flock of geese floating by. It’s always fun to watch animals and birds. You never know what you’ll observe. The log rolling pigeons were a first time event. 

52Frames_singlefocalpoint

Unfortunately it’s been snowing way too much around here. I am not a fan, having lived in the Midwest for thirty years. After being cooped up on the house for four days, we finally got out and drove in to the city. I wanted to find something that might be a good candidate for the 52Frames single focal point challenge, thinking the WWII Memorial might be a good place to start. Earlier in the week I tried taking a few images in the house and parking garage that might also work in case we couldn’t get out of the house - including a close up of my husband’s torn sock. We parked at the tidal basin and walked over to the Mall. I thought the gold stars at the WWII memorial turned out well, but my husband didn’t like it. We then walked over to the little pond on the way to the Lincoln Memorial, but turned back to walk up constitution Avenue. The barricade and fencing around the White House was clearly visible. Then we headed over to the Washington monument where the sun was hitting the top of it - casting a huge wide shadow. I usually don’t take photos in to the light, but this seemed interesting. After that we took a turn by the Tidal Basin and then a ride up towards the Capitol and our old neighborhood. I can see why the neighbors are so upset about the fortifications there. If I was still working at the Library of Congress, it is walled off by high fencing and barbed wire, along with guards with long rifles. It feels like the green zone and I a, happy that we moved ways almost two years ago. When we got home I thought the Washington monument image was the one for the challenge this week. But after looking at all the photos again, another one stuck out. It was a flock of geese that flew overhead. I could hear them but couldn’t see them and randomly took a few photos hoping I might catch something. So I put it through the editing process and turned up the blue sky. I don’t know if it qualifies for anything special, but it’s a lot different than what I usually do. Besides, I’ve already showcased the Washington monument twice in eleven entires and thought something different would be nice. I suppose that is the idea of the photo challenge - do things you may not have thought of doing before, and being less literal about the challenge. 

Pentagon, Marina, and Geese

Last week we drove down the GW Parkway from Northern Virginia to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove. It’s only five miles from our house to DC; ten miles to our old house on Capitol Hill. This place is in between. We had been there at least twice before, but never in the winter. You can enter the grove from the parkway, or take the turnoff that directs you to the Pentagon. We parked in a lot just off the main Pentagon area and walked across the foot bridge over Boundary Channel where Arlington can be seen in the distance. Walking along the path we found ourselves by the marina at the other end. There’s a little restaurant at that location that is closed for the season, but a bunch of geese found the area interesting enough to hang around. We know better to stay away from them. Even though they waddle away, they can turn and become quite vicious. Nearby were boats tied to the docks. It reminded me of Florida. But the distinct difference was that the pentagon was in the background. And if you look hard enough, the Air Force Memorial can be seen behind the building. The Pentagon is massive. Then we walked back and wandered around the memorial grove. There is a great view of the Washington monument from there. Driving in to town is a great diversion these days. There are a lot of photo opportunities and a great escape from the every day routine.