It wasn't my average walk around Rock Creek Park and the Nat'l Zoo today.
One Fish Crow seen and heard
 
Black Crowned Night Herons are back at the zoo.  Counted about 50 - some on nests and getting romantic.  Scanned for Yellow Crowned by didn't find any. There was also one light brown bird of the same size sitting among the herons.  It was sleeping and had its head tucked back.  I think it was a first year BCN Heron that has not molted yet.  The water / duck area of the zoo is under renovation, so I didn't see any herons in that area.  They are all back by the Flamingos.
 
But, the best find of the day was an active Red-Shouldered Hawk nest.  I saw the male bring food to the female on the nest, but could not make out what was for lunch.  There is fresh greenery - conifer branches on the top of the nest.  The male hung out for a little while and preened before taking off.
 
I don't mind sharing the location as it is in the middle of the zoo in the middle of lots of people.  The birds seem to be perfectly comfortable in the busy setting above all the human activity.  Walking up the path to the bird house stop in front of the Golden Tamarin Lion Video booth on the left.  Look up.  If you visit before the trees leaf out, you should have no problem getting a fix on the location of the nest.  It is a large nest in the crotch of the tree - Beech, I think.  If you continue walking up the path to the bird house you will get a better view at nearly eye-level.  I don't think using a zoom lens on a camera will be helpful for shutterbugs unless you digiscope.  
 
This walkway is also a road, so be careful of trucks.  I jumped the small chain fence and stood on the dirt and leaves off the road to relax and get good looks.  Enjoy!  This is the first Confirmed Hawk nest in my Atlas Quarter block.  Silly me.  I've been looking deep in the woods all this time.
 
 
Denise Ryan
Washington, DC