Peregrine falcons are the world's fastest animal. WORLD'S FASTEST ANIMAL. They're amazing creatures, but I bet none of my sleep-eyed compatriots riding the early morning Metro between Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza know that these birds can be seen almost every morning.
Between Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations, the Metro goes above ground and crosses the Potomac on a bridge. It can be a dazzling moment for groggy passengers - bursting from the dark tunnel into a city sunrise over the river. It's good birding, too, with gulls and geese and ducks and what-have-yous. There are also, often, Peregrine Falcons, if you know where to look. Metro passengers looking downriver can often spot a bird sitting on the railroad trestle, usually at one of four spots: the edge of the VA side, the two edges of the middle section, and the edge of the DC side. Here are some maps (click to enlarge):
