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Last weekend, GM was in Volta Park and noticed a hawk perched on one of the houses right over the fence. He snapped a picture and sent it to the homeowner (“Holy crap!!!” was the response). It got GM thinking, he’s written guides to trees and architecture around Georgetown, why not birds?

So without further ado, here are some of the birds you’ll find around Georgetown. You may know some or all already, or maybe you recognize them but never knew what they were. Or maybe you don’t know nothing about no birds. GM will start today with birds of prey:

Hawk

The bird that inspired the post. Specifically, a red-tailed hawk. It is a bird of prey and eats small animals, like rodents. We’ve got plenty of those, so it’s not a surprise to see one of these beautiful birds around town.

Bald Eagle

Speaking of beautiful birds of prey, we can’t leave out bald eagles. With conservation efforts they have returned to the DC area in ever growing numbers. The best place to catch a glimpse of one in Georgetown is down by the river. GM has seen them on his morning rows a few times.

Great Blue Heron

Speaking of morning rows, the bird that is in great numbers along the river banks is the majestic great blue heron. They probably aren’t technically “birds of prey”, as that term is typically used. But they are primarily carnivores, so GM is throwing them it.

The meat they eat is mostly fish or small reptiles or amphibians. Their sharp beaks act like a spear piercing their prey.

As GM rows up the river towards Fletcher’s, there are often as many as a dozen heron silently hunting for their breakfasts. It’s especially breathtaking to see them in flight through the morning mist.

Peregrine Falcon

The fastest animal in the world, a peregrine falcon can reach speeds over 200 mph during its diving attacks. They prey mostly on small birds, so they’re probably not super popular at the bird coffee klatches.

GM has seen a falcon only once in Georgetown. It was over the river, and it was fighting a bald eagle for a fish. (The falcon won and flew its prize back to Roosevelt Island). Continue reading →

Photo by Friscocali.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Open house at Yates Gym this weekend for local residents to check out what the athletic center can offer them.
• Great old map of Georgetown showing when Dumbarton House was still square in the way of Q St.

3200 block of M St.

Photo by Warren Lemay.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Nice piece on Georgetown’s African American history.
• Will GU be permitted to cut down a forest to erect a forest of solar panels?

Montrose Park

It’s a snow day, so GM thought it would be a good time to look back at snowstorms past. Hopefully you’re sipping cocoa by a fire:

Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• How a Georgetown family kept a summer home in Arlington (100 years ago) and preserved documents from the Smithsonian’s earliest days.
• Looks like DC hasn’t announced a delay in trash pick up, despite the snow. So keep it out for now. It’s already delayed one day due to the holiday, so they may push hard to get it today.

1200 block of Wisconsin Ave.

Over the weekend, the forthcoming Dent Place Market posted an Instagram story showing the new custom shelving they installed along with a question: What should they fill them with?

GM would link to the story, but it’s the nature of stories that they disappear fairly quickly. So there’s no way to weigh in via Instagram. But list your desires below and GM will make sure the market gets the suggestions!

GM wasn’t sure right away what he’d like to see. The market is already promising gourmet bagels, beer, and coffee, and that satisfies a very large percentage of GM’s basic needs. But what else could they offer? Continue reading →

Photo by Kent MacElwee.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• A call to replace Jack the Bulldog with a rescue.
• This is a remarkably well designed home, especially considering it is occupied by four young roommates.