Bald Eagle Nest

Mr. President and The First Lady among the azaleas

The US National Arboretum is one of the world’s premier woody plant research facilities and public gardens, run by the US Department of Agriculture on 446 acres. Among its many horticultural collections are seasonal botanical and tree displays, tramways and trails, and even a grove of the original columns that supported the East Portico of the US Capitol building. While many flowers and shrubs within the arboretum bloom in the spring, there are attractions throughout the year, such as the Bonsai Museum, the National Grove of State Trees, the National Herb Garden, and the Asian Collection with its hardy camellias that bloom in late autumn. One standout among the arboretum’s garden displays is the Azalea Collection. Every spring, thousands of azaleas cover the sides of Mount Hamilton and Glenn Dale Hillside in a blanket of color. The best way to see this spectacle is on foot via a network of rustic woodland trails.

Since 2014, another attraction has come to the Azalea Collection and taken up residence in a tulip poplar tree. A pair of nesting bald eagles, naturally named Mr. President and The First Lady, have for the past several seasons maintained a nest, hunted for food, and raised their young here. In the 2018 season, the pair raised two eaglets, Victory and Valor. (Sadly, Valor succumbed to West Nile Virus after 3 months.) Each season an online contest is conducted to name the new eaglets.

Volunteers from the American Eagle Foundation and the USDA maintain an eagle cam so the public can observe their activities without unwanted intrusion. But if you are lucky and persistent, you might see the eagles or hear their cries as they go about their daily lives as you walk along the paths near their tree.

So, when you visit the arboretum in spring or late fall, bring binoculars and be sure to cast your gaze both down to the flora and up into the treetops of this amazing natural environment.

Address 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002, +1 (202) 245-2726, www.usna.usda.gov | Getting there Metro to Stadium Armory (Blue, Orange, and Silver Line) and transfer to bus B 2 to Bladensburg Road at Rand Place NE, walk east on R Street NE to entrance | Hours Daily 8am – 5pm, except Dec 25 | Tip Every year, the Arboretum hosts scientific and crafty workshops; special events and exhibits, such as the spectacular spring Ikebana exhibit; Full Moon hikes and children’s activities. The seasonal bonsai displays in the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum are not to be missed at any time of the year.