Merlin @ Great Falls? Yep!

The weather was warm but overcast, so the birding was slow going at Great Falls this morning. As we were finishing up the walk, though, the group spotted a bird across the Potomac that looked awfully falcon-ish. After views through scopes from different angles, and after scanning no less than three field guides (print and mobile), we determined it was a Merlin! A rare bird indeed for Great Falls, it was also a life bird for me. And even though it was a long distance away from shore, it was nice to be able to watch it preening--which is to say, sunbathing rather than flying by overhead at light-speed as they're wont to do. (Please excuse the lighting of the photos: long distance + gray day does not a good photo make.)