An Interesting Visitor to the Platform

During the off-season of the Osprey, I’ve photographed quite a few ‘visitors’ to our Osprey nest platform besides the American Bald Eagle (my last post). The list includes the Great Blue Heron, numerous gulls, a Mallard, Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Boat-tailed Grackle, Crows, and Red-Winged Blackbird.

Looking out my window on a recent clear night, I thought I could make out a large shadow on the platform. Cool, I thought. I grabbed my binoculars to see if I could identify it and could make out the shape of an owl. He never made a sound and sat there for over an hour. I’m not able to identify what owl species. I know we have Great Horned Owls across Marshy Creek at CBEC, so maybe a GHO?

This was the first time I’ve sighted an owl on the platform. I gave it a shot to try and capture/document my discovery. The photo is terrible (and it became my best, ugh!) because I’m not very good at night photography (still learning!) but I wanted to share.

He seemed quite content perched there, and I was tickled with my capture! 🙂

Tags: Birds, birdwatching, Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay, Eastern Shore, Grasonville, Kent Narrows, Marshy Creek, Maryland, owl, Oyster Cove, photographs, photos

12 thoughts on “An Interesting Visitor to the Platform”

quietsolopursuits on 02/06/2015 at 7:15 AM said:

Interesting that the owl would use the platform, since it’s over water. Also, I think that it’s a great photo since it was taken at night.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/07/2015 at 9:50 AM said:
  
  Especially when it looks like he’s looking out over the vast part of the water. He was enjoying the view I guess! 🙂 Thanks Jerry!
  
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Stephen Talabac on 02/06/2015 at 9:11 AM said:

Neat! Perhaps you can contact the CBEC Visitor Center, describe what you experienced, the time of night, and direct them to your on-line photo, They may be able to help ID the bird.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/07/2015 at 9:51 AM said:
  
  Great idea, Steve, thanks!
  
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naturesnippets on 02/06/2015 at 10:19 AM said:

Maybe it just wanted to vary routine and get a little notoriety while at it.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/07/2015 at 9:55 AM said:
  
  That could very well be true. 🙂
  
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kathydoremus on 02/06/2015 at 12:31 PM said:

He looks rather pensive sitting up there.

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bayphotosbydonna on 02/07/2015 at 9:56 AM said:

Quite content indeed.

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Lisa Rest on 02/10/2015 at 8:31 AM said:

Unmistakable GHO. I think the last one I photographed a couple years ago was in a similar situation at Tuttle Marsh and it was dusk. They know when they’re less visible. Great silhouette!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/11/2015 at 9:09 PM said:
  
  I suspected he was a GHO with those cute ears. lol Thanks for the confirmation Lisa!
  
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possumtree on 02/10/2015 at 8:43 AM said:

Looks good for GHO to me! If you’re on Facebook, there’s a great page called “The Facebook Bird ID group of the world.” There’s several experts on there who are very helpful! 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 02/11/2015 at 9:10 PM said:
  
  Thanks for the Bird ID group share, Possumtree! 🙂
  
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