Category Archives: Raptor

Raptor

Osprey

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I finally spotted the Osprey that had been calling, plaintively, for several minutes. By the time I raised my camera he had ducked down. The nest alone made an artsy silhouette on this grey day.

Osprey Nest
Osprey Nest – Canon 18-200mm

The Osprey is probably a juvenile, calling for a parent and hoping to get fed from the sound. An hour or so later he flew some laps around the area, and paused in this tree.

Osprey
Osprey – Tamron 180mm Macro

Then the sun came out and I saw the nest from a different angle, well placed in swamp.

Swamp, Cypress Gardens
Swamp, Cypress Gardens

August 26, 2022
Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner, SC

Animals, Raptor, Video

Raccoon: Backyard Shenanigans

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After finding my backyard bird feeder on the ground two mornings in a row I put up the trail cam.

Ah ha! I had brought the feeder in, but there was plenty of seed scattered around the ground.

Racoon Reaching Up Bird Feeder Pole
Racoon Reaching Up Bird Feeder Pole

A couple of nights later, I discovered the Raccoon had company: check out the pair of eyes on the fence, just to the left of the pole.

Barred Owl on fence watching Racoon scrounge
Barred Owl on fence watching Racoon scrounge

Here’s a low quality 20 second video where you can see the owl’s eyes change as it turns its head.

Update: depending on how you are viewing this post, the video may not play. On Ted’s iPad, viewing through WP Reader, the controls are visible but nothing happens 🙁.

The raccoon came back about an hour later and there was no sign of the Owl. The camera had not picked up his movements coming or going.

I’m identifying the bird as a Barred Owl based on size and regularly hearing one in the area.

GardePro A3 Trail Camera

Raptor

Sunspot On Barred Owl

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Dappled sunlight was reaching the tree where this Barred Owl was perched.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

Alas, only his tail was to be lit up.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

After a bit he dove down and gave the appearance of clutching prey under water.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

But, he came up with nothing and chose a different perch to continue his hunt.

Barred Owl
Barred Owl

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2022

Raptor

Birding At Home: Swallow-tailed Kite

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I answered the door a few days ago to find our excited neighbor and his two pre-teen boys: “Can you tell us what kind of bird that is?”

Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite

Why, yes, I can!

Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite

Pretty neat to see a Swallow-tailed Kite swooping over our neighborhood.

Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite

They had been watching the bird off and on all day as it was feeding on dragonflies.

Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Raptor

Fancy Nest Topper, Another Angle

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It was the shape of the tree that caught my eye, from a few posts ago. Turns out, working through my images from that day I had some other shots.

Osprey Nest in Artsy Tree
Osprey Nest– looking like a straw hat, Osprey head just visible

Here’s a wider view.

Orlando Wetlands
Orlando Wetlands

There were several Osprey flying around.

Osprey Fly Over
Osprey Fly Over

This one was watching the water but I never saw him dive.

Osprey Fly Over
Osprey Fly Over

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022

Raptor

Red-shouldered Hawk, First Light

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The Red-shouldered Hawk that was sharing a snag with the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks blended right into the branch when he turned away from me.

Red-shouldered Hawk With Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk With Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

The hawk opted to move on.

Red-shouldered Hawk Flying Off, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Red-shouldered Hawk Flying Off, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

He didn’t go far, maybe just needed his own space.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

These snags stand in one of the wetland cells created as part of the city’s water reclamation process.

Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022