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

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!

Tags: bald eagle, building, Cambridge, cambridge creek, Dochester County, eagle, Eastern Shore, flight, Maryland, osprey platform, perch, water, wings

50 thoughts on “Osprey Nest Platform Visitor – Eagle”

blhphotoblog on 02/08/2019 at 5:12 PM said:

I did a double take there Donna, I thought an Osprey had returned! What a great sighting though and lovely images.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 7:14 PM said:
  
  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. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - blhphotoblog on 02/09/2019 at 4:18 AM said:
    
    Let’s hope they have learned to build a nest! 🤔😂.
  - bayphotosbydonna on 02/09/2019 at 8:48 AM said:
    
    Good golly, YES! 😂
Susan Hale on 02/08/2019 at 5:35 PM said:

Wow! Lucky you to be there to witness it, and great shots! How nice of him/her to visit your osprey platform.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 7:16 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Susan, it was certainly my RPRT moment!
  
  Reply ↓
aussiebirder on 02/08/2019 at 6:01 PM said:

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!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 7:18 PM said:
  
  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!
  
  Reply ↓
H.J. for avian101 on 02/08/2019 at 6:01 PM said:

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. 🙂

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 7:19 PM said:
  
  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! 😊
  
  Reply ↓
John on 02/08/2019 at 6:36 PM said:

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. ❤️

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 8:01 PM said:
  
  Thank you, John! It was a pleasant surprise with its visit! Oh yes, I could sit on any dock all day long. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Chris Riley on 02/08/2019 at 6:46 PM said:

Lovely to see the progressive photos of the bird taking flight.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 8:16 PM said:
  
  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. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
anotherday2paradise on 02/08/2019 at 6:48 PM said:

Fantastic shots, Donna. You really were in the right place at the right time. 👏🏻

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 8:18 PM said:
  
  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.
  
  Reply ↓
  - anotherday2paradise on 02/08/2019 at 8:23 PM said:
    
    I get the picture, or rather, you got the photos. 😅
belindagroverphotography on 02/08/2019 at 7:28 PM said:

What a wonderful way to start the day😊. Terrific photos Donna!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 8:19 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Belinda, it added more happy to my morning!
  
  Reply ↓
Jane's Heartsong on 02/08/2019 at 7:29 PM said:

After seeing photos of the Osprey, the size of the eagle is quite noticeable in comparison. I appreciated the nod to Otis.Nice shots

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 8:20 PM said:
  
  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….. 😊
  
  Reply ↓
cindy knoke on 02/08/2019 at 7:41 PM said:

Awesomeness!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 8:21 PM said:
  
  It so was, Cindy!
  
  Reply ↓
montucky on 02/08/2019 at 9:49 PM said:

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.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 11:28 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Terry! I can imagine how beautiful they are soaring over your tree lines, lakes, and mountains, what a sight!
  
  Reply ↓
David on 02/08/2019 at 10:33 PM said:

Very nice shots but the big questions is was he watchin’ the tide roll away?

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/08/2019 at 11:32 PM said:
  
  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….. 😊
  
  Reply ↓
neihtn2012 on 02/09/2019 at 7:15 AM said:

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!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/09/2019 at 8:50 AM said:
  
  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. 😉
  
  Reply ↓
circadianreflections on 02/09/2019 at 10:29 AM said:

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.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/10/2019 at 7:56 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Deborah! The Eagle definitely put a happy step in my morning!
  
  Reply ↓
Rolling Harbour on 02/09/2019 at 4:59 PM said:

VVG! RH

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/10/2019 at 7:57 AM said:
  
  Thank you, RH!
  
  Reply ↓
Reed Andariese on 02/09/2019 at 8:14 PM said:

Very nice Donna! Beautiful images! Always fun to see and photograph Eagles! Thanks for sharing them with us!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/10/2019 at 7:59 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Reed! It is super nice when the Eagles come to you! 😊
  
  Reply ↓
Gunta on 02/09/2019 at 10:37 PM said:

What more could you ask for… a bald eagle and a sunset!!! Joy!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/10/2019 at 8:01 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Gunta, but oops! It was at sunrise. 😊 Either way, sunrise or sunset, always a joyful way to start or end your day!
  
  Reply ↓
  - Gunta on 02/10/2019 at 2:12 PM said:
    
    Who even KNEW they made sunrises!
  - bayphotosbydonna on 02/10/2019 at 10:13 PM said:
    
    😅
Lisa Rest on 02/10/2019 at 2:26 PM said:

Great shots, Donna! What a beautiful place. I’m guessing maybe eagles go after fish before ducks…?

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/10/2019 at 10:13 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Lisa! I’m hoping they do, at least here it appeared so that day! 😉
  
  Reply ↓
Marla Rose on 02/11/2019 at 10:34 AM said:

Incredibly majestic!

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/11/2019 at 2:39 PM said:
  
  Very much so! 😊
  
  Reply ↓
tanjabrittonwriter on 02/11/2019 at 2:10 PM said:

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.

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/11/2019 at 5:56 PM said:
  
  You are very welcome, Tanja. ❤
  
  Reply ↓
T Ibara Photo on 02/11/2019 at 7:33 PM said:

What a handsome bird!! ❤ ❤

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/12/2019 at 8:32 PM said:
  
  Most certainly is! Thank you Takami!
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: A Great Day Birding On Cambridge Creek | Photos by Donna
bitaboutbritain on 02/13/2019 at 7:34 AM said:

Oh – wow! Stunning shots. I suppose you nicknamed him ‘Otis’, then?

Reply ↓
- bayphotosbydonna on 02/14/2019 at 9:13 AM said:
  
  Thank you, and, of course!! 😊
  
  Reply ↓