While hunting the elusive Tufted Titmouse this afternoon along the C&O Towpath in DC, I glimpsed a little grey bird with a long tail moving among the vines in a tree on the other side of the Capital Crescent Trail.  When I first focused on the bird, I thought my excitement at finding a Titmouse had got the best of me, but it really was a Gnatcatcher.  Near MM 9.5 in the single row of trees between the Crescent Trail and the Potomac.  I guess he's had an easy time of it so far; hope he survives this cold spell.

Not much else to see.  Plenty of woodpeckers near Fletcher's:  at least 1 Pileated, 2 Hairy, 4 Downy, at least 1 Flicker, and a Red-belly nearer Georgetown.

Along the Canal, a Great Blue Heron had caught a fish that appeared to be too big to swallow.  He'd flip the fish around, but couldn't find a side that was skinny enough.  Then he set it down a couple times, only to pick the fish up again when it starts to flop toward the water.  I didn't see the final act, as I chose to keep moving along rather than let my dog stare down the Heron.
--
Carrol Cowan 
Washington DC 
arielamcATatt.net