Approaching the dinghy dock at St Michael’s at the head of San Domingo Creek

Is lovely too, even more so than the front (marina/museum) side where we’d anchored, oh must be five or six years ago.

A few steps up from the dock (essentially a bulkhead) sits a colorful and welcoming home.

These little free libraries are popping up all over. This one at the  home a few yards up from the docks

A new addition to “things to do in town” is a distillery; no surprise uh? If there’s not one near you, there will be soon!

We missed the tour which they give once per day during the week, but happily partook of the free tastings.

Lyon Distilling Co.- since 2012 St Mikes

Next to the distillery sits a great vintage/antique shop; closed on Mondays though. We got such a kick out of gas pumps from our youth.

Fill ‘er up? Sunoco at 49 cents per gallon

The Acme grocery store has served the town for, well I don’t how long, but I’m guessing a number of years. Convenient for locals and cruisers alike. Our happy faces turned sad as we stood at the doorway and read the Closing Soon sign. Many grocery items were marked down 25%, I grabbed one of the last few pineapples and Russ scored a handful of CLIF bars for cheap. Had such a Twilight Zone feel; very eerie.

We had planned to stay a second night; walk the nature trail, tour the distillery, clean out the grocery store, take more photos… but the forecast indicated that Tuesday would be a far better travel day than Wednesday. Thus, we left. We will return in Spring or next Fall.

Without further ado, or fun St Mike’s time, we departed bound for Solomons, MD which sits tucked in off the Bay’s western shore; a 34 nm trip for us.

From that title you might be thinking that much of our wanderings so far since leaving CT have been fowl- but not foul by any means! So allow me to deviate from my usual chronological postings while I present “Feathered Friends – a Short Story or Two”.

Anchored in San Domingo Creek at St Michael’s we saw an eagle land on a nearby osprey nest; not a common sight at all. He hung out there for quite some time and seemed to be pondering the nest; certainly he sat in judgment as only a majestic bird can.

Inspector Eagle Eyes here; “I’m afraid this osprey nest isn’t up to par”

I’m thinking, I’m thinking

Ok, giving it one more look. But …nah

Anchored at Solomon’s. So it happened again, I look out the front window to see this hawk (haven’t seen a hawk in ages) come down from the trees, wings flapping. When I saw a small rabbit make a clean get away I figured the hawk missed, but well, not so.

He sat there, so I grabbed my camera and got this shot. Just as I snapped a second shot, he flew off.

Anchored up Back Creek- watched as this guy swooped down from the trees. Saw a rabbit dash out from the bushes over the grass and to safety. But he/she sat there for several minutes. We wondered.

When I downloaded the photos, it became clear that the rabbit was not the prey; an unlucky squirrel was the target.

Seconds later he takes off as I’m getting off the next shot and wow- look- got a squirrel and was waiting for it to expire before flying off.

Absolutely one of my most lucky shots ever. Usually I’m seconds too late. Still, a new camera is in our near future.