Limit of Disturbance at the Odor Control Site - Orwellian Tang

Stakes marked l.o.d. surround the work zone at one of six new facilities contracted by the Water and Sewer Authority to vacuum and charcoal-filter malodorous air emanating from the Potomac Interceptor, a 50 mile long gravity sewer on national and regional park properties in Maryland, DC and VA leading to Blue Plains treatment plant. Slated for completion by November 2011by WASA, the Angler's site is still  under construction, apparently on holiday break 12/29/11.

The construction schedule allowed "sufficient time to reproduce a[n unnamed] rare, endangered and threatened plant that is located" at one site. I wonder which plant and hope it worked out.
Perhaps this scheme is a good one, but in the mean time visual disturbance assaults the senses like air wafting humidly, putridly and incongrously from vents in the woods. The new building, designed to look like a lockhouse, and the $3.36 million repair to the 2008 canal breach associated with Hurricane Hannah form a continuous construction site. More trees appear doomed with orange x's.

Beyond the unsettling limits of disturbance, a visit to trees and rocks photographed before in search of green.

No thrilling images here, just change and what remains on a visit to an old same place.

Surfing the Melvin Hazel Branch

Melvin Hazel Branch debouches across Tilden Street from the 1810  Pierce Coach House,  once a dependency of the Pierce plantation. While directing the Rock Creek Gallery in the beautiful, granite-walled barn for three years until 2000, I never managed to investigate the stream.

Last week, two days before Christmas, following a night of rain, I met a friend at it's mouth, returning to the branch for the first time since the 11/15/11 hike. This morning brought colder seasonal temps, a more austere palette, saturated trunks, dripping drops and clearing skies, all the better to surf the shifting light amid the coppery warmth and cooler complements of the beech hanger.

Instead of the small digicam, it was dslr + tripod, no cheating intended. Don't look at the logic too closely, but in light of the stated blog theme, this trip grew directly from the earlier tripod-free excursion.

Surfing Melvin Hazel's waters as opposed to its lights, no matter the storm pulse, may not be safe, according to this pdf a stream-caretaking photographer who lives nearby shared. Organics and Metals in Rock Creek Tributaries counterbalance the beauty in the eye of the beholder.

Alternative Tuesday - a less-than-vigorous hike

Torn about whether to try blazing 20 miles through Rock Creek Park with the Tuesday Vigorous Hikers, I studied the map and route and boarded Metro with pack and poles - which was interesting, because never having metro'd to a hike, I was surprised when three people offered their seats, as I obviously appeared disabled.  Shooting and vigorous hiking, for a back-of-the pack struggler anyway, are an impossible combination in my experience, but I couldn't leave the G-10 and the strap that stops it swinging to and fro (aka camera bra) behind. My dilemma resolved itself nicely at 8:40 when I emerged at Cleveland Park to find myself the only hiker on Conn. Ave.

Following hike directions, I headed north two blocks, passing the Wilshire, the Broadmoor and people dressed (costumed?) for business, and discovered the entrance to Melvin C. Hazen Park. Turning onto the path gave a through-the looking glass sensation. Steps from Conn. Ave. majestic trees in November foliage created warm light on a cloudy, low-wind, Indian summer day perfect for that thing I do. Two days ago in Hazel Country, SNP whole sections of woods had already gone winter grey. Time travel in an urban heat island.

I found Melvin Hazen Park equipped with the Valley Branch 

the floor showered with leaves on dry leaves

and light pouring down

 

Staying high and right of the stream gave classic see-and-not-be-seen perspectives on Rock Creek. By 10:30 I had walked almost half a mile.

Beeches,  poplar and oak

Being of a divided mind when I started, I only came with 95 shots. I ran out not long after passing Fenwick Branch on the Valley Trail. Breaking that cardinal rule was OK really, because at the rate I was going, speedy as it was thanks to not carrying a tripod, it would be way dark before I completed half the hike.

More things captured my attention as remaining shots dwindled. 

 

After the photo extravaganza I powdered my nose at a convenient pit stop and put the camera / bra away with reluctance and relief. As cloud cover lowered I lost two stops. At Pulpit Rock I took the TR side trail and headed back to Melvin Hazen, taking the stream-side low road back up the valley. Home at fivish, it was a twelve miler with shots. Thanks to the Tuesday hikers for a great hike and inspiration.