For the second day in a row, I was on a local cruising yacht in
Annapolis performing music, this time with my band. Ah, the joys of
being a birding musician.

In any case, the gig was going along well.  Nothing new to report.  I
forgot the words to "Me and Julio."  I've only sung it about two
milliion times.  When out of the gray blue sky, I noticed this
amazingly powerful bird zoom over my head.  It was a PEREGRINE FALCON.
 I had to finish the song, sure.  But I also had to make sure I saw
what I saw, so I skipped a verse and a chorus.

I looked up and spotted the perch where the bird had landed and my
Suspicious Mind (another hit that the crowd just loves) was confirmed!
 It was indeed a PEREGRINE.

On the way back (see, we get to pass under the bridge twice on the
trip), I planned accordingly and made sure I was in between songs to
get a better view.  Mickey, the drummer,  yelled at me to look over
there!  Ah, better news: TWO PEREGRINE FALCONS!

I admit that I couldn't get a solid view of the second bird, so when I
gig was done, I rushed over to a friend of mine's beach (with
permission).

I have no photo skills like say a Bill Hubick, but I did manage a few
ok shots: http://www.danhaas.com/peregrine

On the way back to the car, I watched a N.R.W. Swallow flying about,
and a Belted Kingfisher literally wrestling with a fish in the shallow
part of the nearby cove.

What a day!  Now, I'm off to play Middleton Tavern.  I doubt I'll see
any great birds... so maybe I'll remember more lyrics.

Great birding all,

Dan Haas
West Annapolis, MD

http://www.danhaas.com/peregrine/