I started taking photos of dog poop bags along the trails by the Potomac River after I started to notice something odd: In virtually all cases, the dog poopers had carefully placed their bags by something, on something, in something, or tied to something.

This was clearly an aspect of human behavior that needed to be documented. And so I set off to do just that.

Over time I found that my photos of these little plastic sacks, each with its unique cargo, served as more than mere documentation about the workings of the human mind (see ‘The Poop Bag Puzzle’). I began to appreciate how many of them challenged—and occasionally complemented—their natural settings with visual statements about the relationship between man and nature. Some even aspire to rise to the level of art (see ‘Poop bag portraiture’).

Following below is what may be the world’s first photographic excursion into the world of dog poop bags. Each photo has a message, and many can even lay claim to a certain kind of beauty, some even bordering on the sublime.

Sitting proud, with the C&O Canal in the background.

A classic spot at the base of a mighty oak.

Here’s at least one bag that will be reunited with its owner.

A carefully placed offering peeks out of a storm sewer vent.

Fresh and plump.

By next day a windstorm had blown it into the canal below.

In good company.

Sentinel on the Potomac River.

A nice day for a walk–or just leaning against a tree.

Sunny accent for a common curbside (photo courtesy of Roberto Rodrigues).

Spot of color on a government-issue sign.

The security of a good tree trunk.

On a bluff over the Potomac River.

Glowing in the afternoon sun.

Dog pooper will be back for this one.

Soul buddies.

An ornament hangs in a reflected tree.

Poop bags making their escape.

While dog poopers favor oaks, beeches will do in a pinch.

Nice looking car.

In a grip of iron and concrete.

Late afternoon n a bed of duckweed.

A sign misses one important detail: a poop bag at its base.

Ears in the relaxed mode.

No permit needed for poop bags.

Cuddling.

Somehow it just landed there.

A composition in green and blue.

Composition with rocks.

An addition to nature’s palette.

A poop bag emerges from hibernation.

Cherry blossom time.

A simple overhand knot is all it takes.

An aristocrat of poop bags.

It’s a threesome.

Poop bag parked in a no parking zone.

Historical marker describes canal houses.

Yellow swallowtail stalks a partially hidden bag.

A dangerous river, even for poop bags.

Celebration of spring.

Something new at Mile 11.

Bridge over the C&O Canal.

Crushed by branches blown down by a windstorm.

A designer bag proudly sits on an oak stump.

Don’t let your poop bag get too close to the river.

A poop bag punctuates a sign telling people to tend to their trash.

Revealed by the springtime thaw.

Flattened on a storm sewer cover.

Identical twins.

Sign sidekick.

A poop bag contemplates a fork in the trail.

A geranium would have also been nice.

Can’t decide on which post? Put it in the middle!