Osprey Nest Platform Visitor – Eagle
Shortly after sunrise, the hazy clouds broke for a moment and the sun reflected the distance buildings onto the water down Cambridge Creek. Standing at my slider door sipping a cup of coffee, I was mesmerized with the colors as well as the ducks below me who were already busily diving for food.
A Bald Eagle came out of nowhere and landed on our community’s Osprey nest platform that was still shaded.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Just sittin’ on the dock platform on the bay creek….
Bald Eagle
Even though it glanced down at the Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Ducks below, the Eagle didn’t seem interested, which I was relieved. Even the ducks didn’t seem alarmed, which I thought was odd.
Bald Eagle – getting some of the sun’s lighting through the hazy clouds finally
This Bald Eagle has almost reached full adult. You can see the dark spot of feathers on the top of its head and the tail still has a dirty-look. In the photos further below, you can also still see some blotchy-white spots on the wings while in flight.
“Scratchin’ An Itch”
Almost an hour later, as the sun was peaking again, it was time to go. Of course.
The Bald Eagle flew gracefully down the creek, past the Dorchester County Office Building, and out towards the Choptank River.
“May you soar on Eagle wings, high above the madness of the world.”
— Jonathan Lockwood Huie
What a delightful way to begin the day!
I did a double take there Donna, I thought an Osprey had returned! What a great sighting though and lovely images.
You gave me a chuckle, Brian. Our area Osprey are still getting suntans in the tropics. 😉 But soon, in just a few weeks, the urge to go North will start happening! Our Osprey usually arrive here mid-March. 🙂
Let’s hope they have learned to build a nest! 🤔😂.
Good golly, YES! 😂
Wow! Lucky you to be there to witness it, and great shots! How nice of him/her to visit your osprey platform.
Thank you, Susan, it was certainly my RPRT moment!
Fantastic pictures of your eagle Donna, Those wings are massive! The first photo gives an idea of its size in relation to surroundings, and osprey nesting platform. Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
Thank you, Ashley! What a treat to have so early in the morning, just sipping coffee and waking up. I guarantee I was fully awake in a split moment when the Eagle landed! 😊 Have a wonderful weekend also my friend!
I can just imagine that the first look made your heart skip a beat! You thought it was and Osprey!
What a majestic looking bird and what a gorgeous background light! Thank you Donna. 🙂
LOL thank you, HJ, you made me laugh! I saw him coming in for the landing and knew it was an Eagle. BUT there’s going to be a moment in five weeks or so where my heart will skip a beat! 😊
Wow Donna, such beautiful Bald Eagle photos! You have a perfect perch for bird watching! I like your word play on Otis Redding’ old song too. love that song still after all the years. ❤️
Thank you, John! It was a pleasant surprise with its visit! Oh yes, I could sit on any dock all day long. 🙂
Lovely to see the progressive photos of the bird taking flight.
So glad you liked that series, Chris! If I hadn’t been on a tripod, I would have missed the take-off; the Eagle didn’t really give any warning it was getting ready to go. 🙂
Fantastic shots, Donna. You really were in the right place at the right time. 👏🏻
Thank you, Sylvia, being in the RPRT was spot on! I almost spilled my coffee trying to put my cup down and grab my camera, lol.
I get the picture, or rather, you got the photos. 😅
What a wonderful way to start the day😊. Terrific photos Donna!
Thank you, Belinda, it added more happy to my morning!
After seeing photos of the Osprey, the size of the eagle is quite noticeable in comparison. I appreciated the nod to Otis.Nice shots
Thank you, Jane! There is quite a bit of size difference, glad you noticed that. Always relaxing to sit on the dock and not do a thing….. 😊
Awesomeness!
It so was, Cindy!
Beautiful photos! I see eagles every day here, but they stay too far away for me to photograph. I love to watch them and listen to them though.
Thank you, Terry! I can imagine how beautiful they are soaring over your tree lines, lakes, and mountains, what a sight!
Very nice shots but the big questions is was he watchin’ the tide roll away?
Thanks, David, and good question! That day, high tide was 4:43 a.m. and low tide was 11:05 a.m. He landed at 8:52 a.m. for about an hour. So yes, yes he was watchin’ the tide roll away….. 😊
Superb photos of the eagle, Donna! I have also see young Bald Eagles at Osprey nests at EBF, about this time of the year. Your photos of this one are exceptionally good!
Thank you, Hien! I’ve been ‘waiting’ for an Eagle to visit our platform, lol. At our previous home we also had an Osprey nest platform, and the Eagles, sometimes a pair, would use it all winter as a perch. Maybe it’s too populated where I am now. 😉
Oh, that first image with all the lovely orange reflected in the water and Eagle is gorgeous! What a lovely sight first thing in the morning.
Thank you, Deborah! The Eagle definitely put a happy step in my morning!
VVG! RH
Thank you, RH!
Very nice Donna! Beautiful images! Always fun to see and photograph Eagles! Thanks for sharing them with us!
Thank you, Reed! It is super nice when the Eagles come to you! 😊
What more could you ask for… a bald eagle and a sunset!!! Joy!
Thank you, Gunta, but oops! It was at sunrise. 😊 Either way, sunrise or sunset, always a joyful way to start or end your day!
Who even KNEW they made sunrises!
😅
Great shots, Donna! What a beautiful place. I’m guessing maybe eagles go after fish before ducks…?
Thank you, Lisa! I’m hoping they do, at least here it appeared so that day! 😉
Incredibly majestic!
Very much so! 😊
I am always touched to see animals seeking creature comforts, such as the eagle soaking in the morning’s first warming rays of sunshine. Thank you for sharing these beautiful impressions, Donna.
You are very welcome, Tanja. ❤
What a handsome bird!! ❤ ❤
Most certainly is! Thank you Takami!
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Oh – wow! Stunning shots. I suppose you nicknamed him ‘Otis’, then?
Thank you, and, of course!! 😊