I have seen putrefied flesh in many places in DC. During the Spring there are
three different shad runs in the Potomac along with numerous other anadromous
fish runs that produce countless dead fish that rot all over the place. At
low tide I have seen dozens of vultures of both species gorging on the flesh of
dead fish along the river. Today at Fletcher's Boathouse there was a dead deer
on the mud in front of the dock that was being attended by several Black
Vultures and an immature Bald Eagle was soaring over it, but never landed. The
owner of the boathouse said that the eagle had been on the carcass earlier.
The problem with The Mall is that there is no food for them there. It is good
habitat but a few dead squirrels just don't have the appeal of a forty pound
dead carp.
Bob Abrams
McLean, Virginia
