January 12, 2008 Birdwatching in Alexandria

In following sightings in the Va Audubon Society listserv, I came across two places identified as being in Alexandria: Lake Cook and Ben Brenmar Park. So, I searched on these on Yahoo Maps and found them. My wife decided to find these two places and see what was present. Then we headed on to Gravelly Point, located immediately north of Reagan National Airport on the GW Parkway.

Lake Cook is on Eisenhower Avenue, between S Van Dorn Street and the Eisenhower Connector off of the Beltway. Lake Cook, identified as being an "Urban Lake", is next to the Great Wave Park and the water slide. This lake feeds Cameron Run. Turn left just into a small lot next to a set of townhouses.

Ben Brenmar Park is located just off of Duke Street, east of Landmark Mall [several miles]. Turn right at the sign for Ben Brenmar. This park is located on part of the old Cameron Station Army facility. The park has a nice place to park or sit on benches and watch the wildlife.

The pictures taken at Ben Brenmar were actually from an arched bridge over Holmes Run. Holmes Run begins on the west side of Annandale Road, between Annandale and Falls Church.

Finally, Gravelly Point can only be accessed from the North-bound lanes of the GW Parkway; I access it from the ramp to Reagan National from Crystal City.

Two pairs of Mallards at Lake Cook

Great Blue Heron


Great Blue Heron at Holmes Run (Ben Brenmar Park)

A pair of Mallards feeding
Two common mergansers
A pigeon at Gravelly Point
Ducks and Gulls at Gravelly Point

Two Musicians sitting on the dock at Gravelly Point

In-bound aircraft at Reagan National, landing gear down

Aircraft taking off, landing gear partially retracted
Fuselage of an American Airline
Jet Intake of an American Airline airliner