Wednesday, April 20, 2022

WALK ALONG THE POTOMAC RIVER IN ALEXANDRIA - 4-12-22

 Just over a week ago today we drove down to the Potomac River, for another walk. 

Much to our surprise, we realized that the biking trail we saw, was the one my dear other half and I used to travel many times.  I am going back over 46 years' ago, when we bought bicycles to ride the local trails.  This was when we started married life living in a small apartment in Alexandria.
We let the bicyclists enjoy their rides, and we headed in another direction.  The ducks we found right away.  
On the other side and not too far from where we parked the car, we could see National Harbor in Maryland.  It is another place on the list, and it has been a while since our last visit.
We walked along for a while, keeping pace with the ducks.
Shortly afterwards we found an Osprey sitting on its nest. 
There was only one bird keeping watch, and I thought perhaps its mate was fishing.  It wasn't until I saw later on my laptop screen, in the photo below, one more Osprey.  The nest wasn’t very far away.   I could just make out a bird on the top of the floating platform, and I am assuming it was the mate.  It is hard to see but if you go to the blue folding chair off-center-right, and look up that center pole to the roof, there is a contraption with another thin pole attached, and on top of that is the Osprey.  Its head is tucked in so it's hard to see.
Here is another shot of its mate looking after the nest.  Unfortunately, a plastic bag seems to have been tangled within its branches.  Maybe the bag was caught on the wind and that's where it landed.  

There will be more of our trip in my next post.
Thanks for visiting and have a happy day!


38 comments:

  1. I would love to take a walk there too! So beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Angie, I am looking forward to going there again :)

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  2. The sky looks lovely! But once again, plastic seems to have interfered with wildlife.

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    1. I agree, it gets everywhere sad to say. Thanks Ginny :)

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  3. Beautiful - thank you so much for taking us along.

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  4. To see an osprey's nest would be a treat. It looks like a lovely walk by the wide waterway.

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  5. Hello Denise,
    Looks like a great place for a walk. I love the ducks and Osprey. Take care, enjoy your day!

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    1. Hi Eileen, it is and the birds were a special part of that walk :) Thank you and I wish you the same.

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  6. I love ospreys!!! One of my favorite birds. My favorite photo today is...the tree-lined scene. When I was there, I don't recall any walkway along the river.

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    1. They are a beautiful bird aren't they Anni? :) I like that photo too. The walk wasn't actually on the river. It was a bike trail for both walkers and riders, but that was behind us. The walk is along a marsh that we intend to go to in a week or so.

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  7. the park that is 2 miles from us, where bob flies his little planes, had 4 big osprey nests and spring is fun to watch the male bring a fish and give to the female, she holds it and lets the little ones feed from it. sometimes they change places. we never get to see the babies because it is way to high to see in the nest. but we can hear them

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    1. How wonderful Sandra! :) They would be such fun to watch. I think I would pull up a folding chair and sit for an hour just to observe. That is a delightful scene you describe, thank you!

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  8. I remember seeing the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Nice to remember it.

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    1. That's a lovely memory Gigi, and of our dinner together :)

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  9. Ospreys make a pathetically messy nest.

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  10. How lovely to walk the paths you used to ride your bikes, Denise! The ducks are beautiful as is the osprey. When we were at the beach we caught glimpes of them carrying fish from the ocean. Never could get a photo, but was fun to watch. Enjoy the sunshine today!

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    1. I am so glad you enjoy them Martha Ellen :) Those Ospreys certainly are fun to watch, as are the ducks. Thank you and I hope your sun has been shining also :) It has, in fact, been a lovely day, warm and sunny!

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  11. What a lovely walk around the river. And such nice memories for you taking a walk in the same area where you first started your married life. That's special. I always love visiting rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks. Water can be so calming. That first picture of the ducks is beautiful. Looks like a Mallard duck?

    Have a blessed week, Denise.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you Sheri, I love visiting any type of water area, and I agree, it is calming, so relaxing :) Yes they were Mallards. You have a blessed weekend, I hope your week was equally so.

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  12. Very cool seeing the Osprey, plastic bag and all!!

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    1. My sentiments exactly Yogi, could have done without the plastic but hey, hopefully it will work for them and someone can get rid of it soon :)

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  13. That first picture of the ducks is magazine worthy. What a great shot.

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    1. What a lovely compliment Latan, thank you so much! :)

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  14. What wonderful sightings! I'm not sure I've ever seen an osprey!

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    1. I don't get to see them very often Jeanie, but love it when I do :)

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    1. So nice of you to say so Great-Granny G :) Thank you!

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  16. I would love to be where I could see an osprey on a regular basis. I love that first shot below the ducks.

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    1. Me too, I didn't know there were any in that area and was very happy to see them. Thank you Rose, I liked the ducks too :)

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