Bird Identification

Let's meet in the parking lot here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VAZS8yjuztMnuza16 Bring your longest telephoto lenses to capture birds and other wildlife. I can help you with camera settings to capture birds on a stick, birds in-flight, close-up and macro photography, and general landscape. At the end of this field trip, the Group typically has breakfast at IHOP, 7694 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA. 22306. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RuWPZvy6Normy3p39 From the parking lot near the visitor center off Lockheed Blvd, there is Cedar Trail which is about a 15-minute hike to the Heron Trail boardwalk. The Cedar Trail goes through a great forest that has some wildlife like deer and many birds, The Boardwalk is where the majority of the wildlife is located. The Group has seen deer, foxes, beaver, snakes, frogs, green tree frogs, huge snapping turtles, and many types of birds including Bald Eagles, Osprey, Marlins, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, King Fishers in the marshy wetlands. The boardwalk can become crowded before sunrise. The crowd, notwithstanding, the early arrivals have been rewarded with sightings of foxes and Bald Eagles. There is a point on the boardwalk that splits. The left side features sightings of shorebirds snapping turtles and beavers. The right side leads to one of the smaller overlooks and has several benches along the way. In the wintertime, the Group gets to photograph many migrating ducks, such as Green-winged teals, Northern Shovelers, and Northern Pintails! In the springtime, the park provides bird boxes for the Wood Ducks and Mergansers to lay and protect their eggs until their offspring fledge and leave the nest. The Group then continues around the boardwalk to the right towards the forest where Great Blue Herons and Red-winged Blackbirds are photographed. Next, the Group approaches a two-story overlook complete with benches for the Group to rest and survey the park. Following a brief respite, the Group continues to Marker 8, the end of the boardwalk. At this point, the forest reappears. And on that edge of the wetlands, there are Red-Headed Woodpeckers. This is one of the few places in the Washington, DC area where they live. After a couple of hours on the wetlands, the Group retraces the route by continuing on the boardwalk to the right towards Cedar Trail, past the visitor center onto the parking lot. There is a small pond behind and to the south of the visitors center that frequently has small frogs. While they are a true find to photograph, mosquitoes have been known to swarm at the pond! The north side of the visitor center features bird feeders that attract hummingbirds and other small birds. Park Info: [http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/](http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/) By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

We host a morning bird walk on the third Saturday of every month at Governor Bridge Natural Area in Bowie, MD. Walking speed is usually close to glacial. Binoculars are encouraged (if you ask ahead we should be able to bring an extra pair to loan).

We are FINALLY going to see this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of modern and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art! I saw Australian Aboriginal art for the first time when I spent a summer in Sydney, and it has haunted and mesmerized me ever since. MEET AT: Outside the main entrance to the East Building of the National Gallery, on 4th St. NW. The East Building is the building that does NOT have the big columns in front. Look for Molly with the rainbow LAL sign. COST: FREE! NEAREST METRO STOPS: Smithsonian; Judiciary Square This eye-opening exhibition introduces North American audiences to the varied visual iconographies of Indigenous Australia, which is made up of more than 250 distinct Indigenous nations. Explore this rich and living history of creativity through over 200 works made by more than 130 artists. Drawn exclusively from the collection of Melbourne’s [National Gallery of Victoria](https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/), *The Stars We Do Not See* offers a rare opportunity to experience some of the most significant examples of modern and contemporary Australian Indigenous art. Charting watershed moments in Indigenous art from the late 19th century to the present, this exhibition reveals a rich history of creativity that predates the arrival of the British. See the work of trailblazing painters including Anmatyerre superstar Emily Kam Kngwarray and Senior Yolŋu artist Gulumbu Yunupiŋu, known as "Star Lady," (whose works inspired the exhibition title) along with contemporary innovators such as Brook Andrew, Destiny Deacon, and Betty Muffler. Witness Australian Indigenous art in all its forms, from ochre bark paintings and experimental weavings to immersive sound and video art and powerful photographs.

All entrepreneurs in the DMV and Midatlantic area are invited! This event is to every and each entrepreneur, from Start-ups to Established; in different industry, sector and specialization to grow, interact, and learn from each other. It is designed to provide a professional environment, to meet other professionals, to broaden one's career. It is also for those interested in careers and are studying or intend to enter the dynamic world of entrepreneurism. ***GRAB A BOOZE OR A BITE AND YOU WILL BE SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD:) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. ***HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables by industry/sector/specialization. However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that area. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS!*** Rules to abide : 1\. Event is 21\+ \(bring ID\)\. 2\. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to connect with others as well\. 3\. We all are professionals in one or two fields and be willing to share your knowledge and experience to others and try to accommodate as much as possible\. 4\. If you don't belong the other person's required specialization\, LEAVE THEM ALONE\. 5\. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion\. 6\. This is a face\-to\-face networking event\. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting\, by using the comment box or direct message\. 7\. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box\. Since it sends notification to all attendees\. If you have any questions\, send a message to the organizers\. Don't write in the comment box\. 8\. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation\. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event\. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via \(info@merevents\.com\)\. 9\. When you get there\, we will greet you and take you to your respective group\. ***10\. Please be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until your language speakers get there and we assign all the tables\.*** \- Come one\, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended\! \- Feel free to invite your friends\. They don't necessarily have to be a member ***AFTER THE NETWORKING, WE WILL HIT THE DANCE FLOOR. BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES!:)*** ***N.B. : We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)).***

• What we'll do Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! And we will teach you how to use your camera IN THE FIELD, not in a classroom! Join our standard Monuments and Memorials workshop, offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, in which the instructor takes you to some of DC’s most popular attractions: White House, Lafayette Park, the Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Three Servicemen Memorials, and finally to Union Station, where you learn to make all the moving people DISAPPEAR! Remember, it was Confucius who said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand." At Washington Photo Safari, we help you "do " and understand! That is why our motto is "See. Click. Learn." This $71 Safari (a 20% discount from the regular $89 price) begins with a 45-minute travel photography orientation, giving you basic tips in composition, F-stops and shutter speeds, portraiture, and interior photography. While you are taking pictures, you receive hands-on guidance on how to make those images even better! Advanced and smartphone photographers will appreciate the instructor’s extensive knowledge of the best camera angles in DC. This is suggested as a preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographers at any skill level with any camera, phone, or tablet. Transportation from site to site is provided by the instructor. • What to bring camera and all lenses • Important to know travel, architectural, portrait and street photography techniques

Grades K–5 Learn about birds in a fun way! Each game is designed to share fascinating trivia about our winged friends and get kids to think about the local birds they see around them.

Rockville Memorial Library 2nd Floor Meeting Room (max capacity 65) Come sketch, draw, crochet, paint minis, or work on any other creative project! This is very casual—whether you are an experienced artist or just starting out, feel free to come and socialize. Bring your sketchbook, tablet, paints, yarn, crochet, or anything else you are working on! We will meet on the SECOND FLOOR meeting room of the library. It's the one by the elevators. Please bring your own supplies and make sure to leave the area clean when we leave. See you there!

Join us as we take a group to see the College Park Aviation Museum's Runway Rhythms featuring Riverdale Chamber Music: Music and Film With the Salon Trio. Step into the golden age of flight with the Salon Trio in this one-of-a-kind concert blending historic aviation film footage and live classical music. Performed in the gallery alongside the new Berliner exhibition, the program features live classical scores, including music from original Victrola records, an invention of Emile Berliner himself. Enjoy refreshments and meet the musicians after the performance. RSVP here for free at least 48 hrs (by Friday) in advance to secure your spot! Walk-ins are first come, first serve. Includes museum admission. [https://www.wiseconnect.us/.../019c6a0b-1aa0-7306-9ae9...](https://www.wiseconnect.us/listings/activities/019c6a0b-1aa0-7306-9ae9-c65cce3152fe?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEyVHloZVJHTU04Tlp3Q002Y3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4a-WSCulhI9mI4rGpwoTr0sn6oVGL2eHxPcOcnsq1iMiB80dTOePBfoe7xSA_aem_mO_wgeOcPFwTMCQ06cbN4w)

Happy New Year, Folks! On Saturday, we will hike to the National Cathedral from Cleveland Park. Our hike will combine glorious architecture, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in DC, the least-known best trail in the city, and a shortcut through the woods past the International School to Macomb Street. The featured photo is from a hike last Spring. John kindly updated the map to parallel the route we take. The hike has some uphill stretches going to the Cathedral but tame stuff mostly. There is an [old-style Italian deli](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=vace%27s%20italian%20deli&tbs=lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e2!1m4!1u22!2m2!21m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9&tbm=lcl&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=10778690468746188451&lqi=ChN2YWNlJ3MgaXRhbGlhbiBkZWxpSIrbzePngICACFonEAAQARACGAAYARgCIhN2YWNlJ3MgaXRhbGlhbiBkZWxpKgQIAxACkgEEZGVsaZoBJENoZERTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VRMk9EVjFNbXBCUlJBQqoBHwoJL20vMDl5MmsyEAEqECIMaXRhbGlhbiBkZWxpKADgAQA&phdesc=clTALiFHOKU&ved=2ahUKEwiK9_Te7bv8AhUoM1kFHZdeCKYQvS56BAgLEAE&sa=X&rlst=f#rlfi=hd:;si:10778690468746188451,l,ChN2YWNlJ3MgaXRhbGlhbiBkZWxpSIrbzePngICACFonEAAQARACGAAYARgCIhN2YWNlJ3MgaXRhbGlhbiBkZWxpKgQIAxACkgEEZGVsaZoBJENoZERTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VRMk9EVjFNbXBCUlJBQqoBHwoJL20vMDl5MmsyEAEqECIMaXRhbGlhbiBkZWxpKADgAQA,y,clTALiFHOKU;mv:%5B%5B39.1842519,-77.05127639999999%5D,%5B38.9198496,-77.1609544%5D%5D;tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e1!1m4!1u1!2m2!1m1!1e2!1m4!1u22!2m2!21m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9) named Vace's a block from the hike start/finish point that has great pizzas by the slice. ❶ **What we'll do:** * Let's meet at Cleveland Park Metro (on the formerly TARGET side of Connecticut Ave NW) and walk down Connecticut Ave NW, cross at the Kennedy-Warren, follow Devonshire and Courtland Pl NW to 29th St NW, and follow 29th St south to Cleveland Ave SW. We'll turn right onto Cleveland Ave NW and follow in northwest to Garfield Ave NW, turn left, and follow Garfield to the cathedral grounds. * After walking through the cathedral grounds we will exit on the north side, go down Woodley to Klingle, and then head down the Klingle Valley Trail. There is a dirt turnoff that leads via twists and turns up past the Washington International School and over to Macomb St NW, coming out very close to Cleveland Park Library. From there we will follow Connecticut Ave NW back to our startng point. * Total distance is roughly 4 miles and should take slightly over 2 hours. The surface is mostly paved. It's uphill 266 ft to the Cathedral, fairly level in the Cathedral area, and then a downhill jaunt to Rock Creek and uphill 46 feet back to the Metro, for a total of 312 feet elevation gain. * Google map: https://tinyurl.com/3zpy9aeh ❷ **How to get there:** * Metro: Cleveland Park Metro Station is on the Red Line. * Driving: The street address is 3599 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, and there is parallel parking available on surrounding streets: ○ From the north, along the I-495 Beltway, take the MD-185S / Connecticut Ave exit and drive south 5.1 miles on Connecticut Ave. The meetup location will be on your left. ○ From south of the Potomac, cross Arlington Memorial Bridge, turning right onto the ramp for Rock Creek Parkway/Kennedy Center. Merge onto Ohio St and turn left onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW, staying to your left onto Rock Creek Parkway/Shoreham Dr and continuing onto 24th St NW. Turn left onto Connecticut St NW and the meetup location at Cleveland Park Metro Station will be on your right, just past the zoo. ❸ **What to bring:** Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. Dogs must be leashed at all times. ❹ **Weather:** The forecast is sunny and 55. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/mrywcdte ❺ **Advisory:** As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers. ❻ **Administrative stuff:** There are restrooms near Cleveland Park Metro and the Cleveland Park Public Library. The National Cathedral has accessible bathrooms as well. ❼ **Notes:** * Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016 * Vace Italian Delicatessen, 3315 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 363-1999, https://vaceitaliandeli.com/

Join fellow Queer birders on February 22nd for birding at Pickerington Ponds Metropark. No expertise required!

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Good Cafe](https://goodcafeeaston.com/)!

**Summary** For this event, we will do the [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at [The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/), a ten-thousand acre conservation center in Muskingum County. It is the largest such center in North America and one of the largest in the entire world. During this tour, we'll visit The Wilds' rhino herd in their state-of-the-art heated barns and learn how The Wilds' animal management team takes care of one of the largest herds of rhinos outside of Africa and Asia. **The date and time of this tour** We will be doing the 1:00 p.m. [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) on Saturday, February 28. The tour is scheduled to last 90 minutes. **What you need to do to attend** Signing up here on Meetup will not get you into The Wilds for the tour. You must go out to The Wilds' [website](https://www.thewilds.org/) and [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour). Please [purchase your ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour), then sign up here on Meetup so I know how many to expect. **Attendance cap** There are only eight total slots/tickets available for this tour. As I obviously have already bought one of the tickets, that leaves seven spaces for everyone else. If you are interested in this event, I urge you to [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at The Wilds' website as soon as possible. Since their website is obviously public, nothing prevents other people having nothing to do with *GOhio!* from buying their own tickets, thereby potentially taking an available slot away from you. **Additional notes on attendance** I have now run several events at The Wilds. While the location of The Wilds and the pricing of the tickets generally leads to small turnouts, the people who have gone have all enjoyed it and were glad they went. If you've never been to The Wilds and you like zoos or animals at all, you are likely to find any tour at The Wilds to be a rewarding experience. **Tickets and pricing** [Tickets](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) for this tour are $95, or $76 if you're a Wilds' member. I've posted screen shots, below, to help you be sure you're buying tickets for the correct event. Wilds' memberships pay for themselves if you go to The Wilds at least twice a year, and [Columbus Zoo members](https://www.columbuszoo.org/membership) get a discount on memberships to The Wilds. I will always run at least two events a year at The Wilds. Tickets for all Wilds' tours must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of the actual tour. **Cancellations and refunds** Per The Wilds' [Cancellation Policy](https://www.thewilds.org/policies): *In order to be eligible for refund and accrue no rescheduling fees, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance of reservation. Cancellations made within 14 days of reservation will not receive a refund.* You may [contact The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/contact) at (740) 638-5030 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or you can email them at information@thewilds.org. **Waiver of liability** After you purchase your ticket, you will likely be asked to fill out a waiver of liability. This is a very short document and should take you no more than two minutes to complete. **Where we'll meet** We will meet at The Wilds, whose actual address is [14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732](https://www.google.com/maps/place/14000+International+Rd,+Cumberland,+OH+43732/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837dae07a595557:0xa1ceca93325a8bd1?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Please try to be there by 12:30 p.m. For most Wilds' tours, a shuttle bus will take you to the actual spot of the tour. So think of this as though you're going to the airport to catch a flight. It helps to be on time. The Wilds generally asks that people arrive at least thirty minutes because the scheduled start time of their tour. **GPS / Getting to The Wilds** The Wilds is in a very rural area, but I've never had a problem getting there with my GPS (I have Verizon). I've also uploaded a JPG map, below, of Muskingum County. Sometimes, though, it's hard to get a signal when you're at The Wilds and getting ready to leave. So you might want to consider downloading an offline map in Google Maps. Your cell phone should pick up a signal, however, within a few minutes after you leave. The Wilds' Visitor Center does have free Wi-Fi. **Carpooling?** If you want to carpool, I recommend discussing this in the comments, below, to this event. While I don't myself carpool, I will do what I can to help you arrange something if I can. **The weather** Dress for the weather. Just because the barn is heated doesn't mean it will be warm. And wear closed-toed shoes. Wilds' tours typically run no matter what the weather is. **After the tour** Once we're done with the rhinos, we'll head over to the very highly rated [Y-Bridge Brewing Company](https://ybridgebrewing.com/). The brewery is about thirty minutes from The Wilds, and it will be on the way back to Columbus for most, if not all, of us. The brewery's actual address is [1417 Linden Ave Ste D, Zanesville, OH 43701](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1417+Linden+Ave+d,+Zanesville,+OH+43701/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837edd6cc50824f:0xe3a0af1ccb2aefbf?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Y-Bridge Brewing does not serve food; however, they have several [food options](https://ybridgebrewing.com/food-options). I encourage you to check these out ahead of time on their website for yourself. However, here are a few of them: *Within walking distance -- 120 feet away* * [Angry Bull Saloon](https://www.facebook.com/AngryBullSaloonZanesville/) (pizza & subs) * The Corner Pub Sports Bar and Grill (classic bar food) *Delivery options -- [Door Dash](https://www.doordash.com/)* * [4 Star Pizza](https://fourstarpizza.com/), (740) 452-9300 * [Donatos](https://www.donatos.com/), (740) 452-7900 * [Pizza Cottage](https://www.pizza-cottage.com/), (740) 455-6000 * [Dominos](https://www.dominos.com/), (740) 455-3126 * [Papa John's](https://www.papajohns.com/), (740) 450-4100 If you live in the area or can't make The Wilds but still want to meet us at the brewery, that's fine too.

November Book Club: Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane This is a book about finding healing, purpose, and a path to activism through birdwatching after the trauma of Hurricane Katrina. The memoir follows O'Kane, a former investigative journalist, as she transitions from a life focused on human rights to becoming a passionate birder and environmental educator, weaving together personal narrative, the science of bird life, and grassroots community organizing to save a local par

Hosted by Wild Ones Columbus How to Install a Bog Garden, with David Marsolo Saturday, March 14th, 2026 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Eastern Time) Innis House (Inniswoods Metro Park) , 940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking A bog can serve the same functions as a traditional rain garden but has the advantages of being low maintenance, climate resilient and attractive for a much longer part of the year. David Marsolo is a long time Wild Ones member. He has been maintaining artificial bogs at his suburban Westerville home for about 20 years. He will describe how to install a bog and fill it with many interesting native plants including pollinator and host plants https://columbus.wildones.org/calendar-of-events-and-programs/?wo_event_id=11160