by Marlene Berlin When sidewalks and trails are slick with ice and snow, ice cleats or mini crampons are a lifesaver. I put mine to good use last Sunday, walking into the Soapstone Valley. I started at Audubon Terrace and found it very well plowed, with chunks of “snowcrete” piled at the end. I entered […]
Backyard Nature: 🎶Doe, a Deer, a Female Deer🎶
by David Jonathan Cohen Text and photos © 2025 Perhaps the darkest moment in animated movies is the death of Bambi’s mother. Perhaps the brightest moment in movie musicals is the song “Do-Re-Mi” in The Sound of Music. And then there’s our backyard. In the late afternoon on June 2, I watched a fawn wobble […]
You’re Invited: David Cohen’s wildlife photos on exhibit
For many years, Forest Hills neighbor David Cohen has contributed photo essays about birds and other wildlife to Forest Hills Connection. In recent years, posters featuring his photos have helped people identify wild creatures they might see in Linnean Park and other parts of Rock Creek Park. In August, we’re invited to visit the Patuxent […]
Backyard Nature: Lucky ducks
by Marlene Berlin Everywhere I go, ducks appear. One day recently, that was no exaggeration. I went for a walk, and ducks seemed to be everywhere. I saw the handsome wood duck pair above, enjoying a swim in Rock Creek. And, as I was exiting the Western Ridge Trail to walk along Ridge Road, I […]
Plant this, not that: A guide to plants that attract and sustain wildlife as well as beautify your garden
by Kathy Sykes Each Earth Day, we reflect on what we can do for Mother Earth, and meet the challenges that come from the changing climate and landscapes. Fortunately, there is a simple action we can take to respond: plant native plants. A plant is considered native if it occurred naturally in a particular region, […]
Backyard Nature: The scoop on coyote and fox poop
by Marlene Berlin I learned something new about coyotes and foxes by taking a closer look at their poop. I walk often, and often while I’m walking, I’m studying the ground before me. For that reason, I see a lot of fox or coyote scat on the street and in the park. Lately, I have […]
Backyard Nature: Barred owl on Ellicott
Joseph Priniotakis is a young photographer and birder based in Forest Hills DC. His middle school team won the World Series of Birding for their age group in Cape May, New Jersey, in May 2022. Joseph photographed this barred owl in a backyard on Ellicott Street. And we’re especially impressed because it’s usually easier to […]
Backyard Nature: Dragonflies put on an action-packed airshow
by Marjorie Rachlin photos by Larry Meade, North Virginia Bird Club Have you noticed the dragonflies lately? Swooping over your front yard? Dodging the cars in the Politics and Prose parking lot? Patrolling in a loop-the-loop over your garden? But where’s the water? Dragonflies always live near water, right? Actually, they will use any large […]
Backyard Nature: Turkeys on the trail
Before the Soapstone trail’s March closure for the sewer rehabilitation project, it was a popular place to take a stroll. And apparently, it still is. Minsuh Son, who can see the trail from her backyard, spotted two wild turkeys on the main trail last Friday. This fellow’s female companion was just out of frame. Son […]
Spotted in Rock Creek Park: Bald eagles
by Marlene Berlin On Sunday, a friend and I were walking up Broad Branch Road, close to the Soapstone trailhead, when we saw a large bird flying across the sky and swooping down onto a tree. My first thought? That it could be an owl, but my friend exclaimed that it was a bald eagle. […]