Gridskipper

Like its airport and the Department of Defense, Washington's number one birding spot is in Virginia. Come see what life was like before suburban sprawl by sloshing your way though this protected wetlands, or take… the wooden walkway and stay dry. At Huntley you'll encounter more wildlife per square inch than anywhere else around, including the friendly local beaver and a bunch of bashful deer. One caution: beware of urban regret. The meadow is so lovely, you'll start wishing you lived outside the city. (Brian Gratwicke) [link]

The heart of the gayborhood is wild with sparrows and other tweety birds, not to mention giant rats, timid squirrels, and homeless chess players. So why mention it? Because in spite of everything — the dogs… pissing in the grass, the cigarette butts, the Free Tibet marches and the four lanes of traffic surrounding it — "the circle" is still the most accessible piece of nature we've got. Just walk out of your office and onto the circle, then lay on your back and stare though the trees. Now there, all better. (photo) [link]

A.K.A. Hains Point, this peninsula gets cut off from the rest of the Tidal Basin by the 495 bridge. The longer walk (1/2 mile) limits the number of humans that come this far off the Mall. Also, now that The Awakening… has moved, the tour buses have no reason to call. Look for nutria (like muskrats) and waterbirds, along with bald eagles soaring overhead. (photo) [link]

Fletcher's is one of two places where one can be issued an authentic District of Columbia fishing permit. That's because the fishing is so darn good — but nobody really fishes this side of the river. The scenery's… not that bad either, with sheer cliffs on one side and overhanging trees above the river, each of them heavy with hungry cormorants. Rent a boat or stake out a barbecue pit and wonder aloud, "Am I still in the District?" (photo) [link]

The falls of Great Falls mark the fall line of the Appalachian shelf, where the Potomac River tumbles through gorges and boulders in a lovely mess of white water and daredevil kayaks. The Washington, D.C., side… is more narrow and busy, with its up-and-down Billy Goat Trail a local rite of passage. The Virginia side is a longer drive but definitely the wilder section of the falls, with cliffs and forests surrounding it. Enjoy the climbing, but watch out for the poisonous snakes (no joke!) and deadly whirlpools (also not a joke) and black vultures (perfectly harmless). Ah, nature. (photo) [link]

Washington's last remaining bit of virgin marshland sits on the edge of the Anacostia River, a natural habitat in the middle of an unnatural city. Gorgeous water lilies, lily pads, and butterfly gardens make this… one of the more serene escapes in DC, and the birdwatching is truly first rate. Kenilworth's is one of the most beautiful yet least visited parks around. (photo) [link]

Some trees don't get chopped down, and in Washington, the best place to witness such a phenomenon is at the arboretum, which is Latin for tree museum. Besides every kind of American tree species, you'll… find a zillion different flowers and plants — check online to see what's blooming right now. Fauna-wise, you'll find anything that likes living in branches. Once you get sick of the trees, go check out the Capitol Columns, taken from the east portico of the US Capitol building. [link]

"America's Front Yard" is fenced in with giant museums and chock-a-block with protesters and ultimate frisbee tournaments . . . but come out sometime around 4 or 5 in the morning and you can count the grazing deer… as it were still the 18th century. By day you'll find gregarious birds, bright flowers, and squirrels of every color. At night the crows come home to roost, as do bats, seagulls, geese, and other things with wings. [link]

Although overpopulated with spandex-clad runners, this island in the middle of the Potomac is actually a protected nature preserve. Last month the island was knee deep in baby snakes, but no matter the season you're… bound to spot something. Be on the lookout for wild turkeys, osprey, and snapping turtles — even foxes. Pretty freakin' amazing for Rosslyn. (Brian Gratwicke) [link]

Eat your heart out, New York — Rock Creek is twice the size of Central Park, but without the tourists. It's also the wildlife corridor for the district, allowing hundreds of deer a direct commute from the… Maryland woods straight to the Mall. The park includes the National Zoo, which has more animals outside its cages than inside. (photo) [link]