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This week for Birds of Georgetown, GM will discuss the birds you’ll find plying the waterways of Georgetown. Of course by “waterways” that essentially means just the Potomac river and the C & O Canal. Here’s what you’ll find there:

Canada Goose:

The Canada goose, the scourge of youth soccer players hoping not to slide through poop, is prevalent in the DC area. Although naturally a migratory bird, the Canada goose can be found in the DC area year round.

They are easily recognizable by their white chinstrap set against an otherwise black neck and head. As large waterfowl go, they are not particularly aggressive towards humans (unlike swans, for instance). This is probably because they’ve come to expect little pieces of bread from us.

Mallard:

Probably the most common waterfowl you’ll find along the Potomac, this iconic duck is very likely the image most people think of when they think “duck”.

They also are famously dimorphic, meaning the males and females look very different. The male mallards have glossy green heads with a white ring around their necks. The female mallards are various shades of brown, with no flashy head gear.

Mallards often plant their eggs up in the residential parts of Georgetown. When the ducklings hatch, they have to make their way down at least to the canal. Humans often help. Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Dent Place Market now aiming for an April opening.
• Effort launched to recall Jack Evans (which would have little effect, since by the time the recall vote would be held, the normal election, which Evans could run in either way, won’t be too much behind.)

1500 block of 33rd St.

Please indulge GM a bit today. His daughter wrote a little song a while back. GM helped her pull it together and produced it into this summer’s hottest new club hit. Enjoy.

Photo by Chesapeake Bay Program.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• At least one current GU student appears to have willingly participate in the alleged admissions fraud.
• Beautiful hand-drawn aerial view of Georgetown circa 1990.

1200 block of 33rd St.

Photo by Frederico Lukkini.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Georgetown University tied to admission bribery case.
• Despite facing serious legal scrutiny, Jack still parks the same way.

3100 block of R St.

This week for Birds of Georgetown, GM is exploring the Columbidae family of birds, which are better known as doves and pigeons.

In Georgetown, that almost entirely boils down to two species: the mourning dove and the rock pigeon.

The mourning dove, seen above, is a lovely bird. It can be recognized by its cloudy golden/gray plumage. But you often hear it before you see it. They have a call that is easily recognizable; you’ve probably heard it thousands of times before. Here’s a sample:

Mourning doves also make a lovely whistling sound when they take flight:

Mourning doves live in DC all year round. Although GM did once find a dead mourning dove in his garden during a particularly cold winter week. (Lifting a bird is an odd sensation. They are remarkably light.)

All in all, mourning doves are a lovely bird to have around, which is a lot more than we can say about their cousins, the rock pigeon. Continue reading →

Photo by Bill Starrels.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Kevin Planck lowered the price of his house, which can now be yours for under a quarter of a billion dollars. just under $25 million.
• Former Filomena chef now in charge at High Street Cafe.