Along the Potomac River Near Alexandria, VA

A merlin had caught a songbird, and a group of birdwatchers had caught the merlin in their binoculars.
Merlins, they told us, are unusual here at the Belle Haven Marina near Alexandria.

It's a warm day, though foggy, and there is still quite a bit of fall color here, as well as many birds.

This woman seems to have befriended a particular goose. She says she's worried that it's not eating enough.
She was feeding it a few handfuls of Cheerios.