Colors of Dyke Marsh, 10/19/13

The Friends of Dyke Marsh sponsored a walk featuring lectures about the plants in and around the marsh and the clouds above us.  Renee is 3rd from left in purple sweater.  Below are shots taken along the way:

The colors were lovely but fall foliage is not yet at its peak.

;

The marsh is less than half of its original size.  The National Park Service is to announce restoration plans before the end of the year but budget problems and the recent government shutdown has every thing in doubt.  Wild rice grows in the marsh.

Even thought I was listening to the lecture, I failed to write down the names of the plants.  I was too busy shooting.

Ivy that has turned red is growing up the tree.

One of the major problems in the marsh is the presence of non-native invasive plants, such as the ivy.  One of the goals of a restoration project would be to eliminate or at least reduce these plants.

How lovely.

How strange.

Scenes along the Potomac River.

Looking across to National Harbor

I wonder if they really are going to eat anything they catch.
The Potomac is getting cleaner but still......

We were surprised to see a baby on board.

The weather man who explained the 2 layers of clouds we could see.  A cold front is coming!

It was a lovely day in the marsh.