On the way home, cycling near Flechers Boathouse (tow path, NW, DC), I noticed a Broadwinged Hawk sitting in a tree overhanging the canal. I stopped to watch it and the ruckus it was creating - a pair of mockingbirds dive bombing it, and other noise makers nearby (oriole, chickadee, etc). After a few minutes, the hawk took off and dived towards the canal, dropping down feet first into the water. It came up empty clawed, and flew to a different perch nearby. Looking at the water I could see a fish swimming lazily (or feebly) at the surface. The hawk then took another dive at the fish, but still did not catch it. The fish on the otherhand was obviously in trouble, and was now floating on the surface - seemingly dead. The hawk then took another shot at the fish, but it jumped away, and again the hawk missed dinner. A fourth time the hawk tried, but missed again! Each time, it dipped deep into the water, getting quite wet. After a few more minutes, the hawk seems to loose interest, and flew toward me, and into a nearby tree, perched, got bombarded some more, and then flew on.

A nice interlude on my commute home. And yes, the yellow-throated warbler is still singing nearby.

Tm Boucher
Chevy chase, MD

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