Monday, April 11, 2011

Visitors at the Fishpen Buffet

Last night I happen to look out my window, and saw something on the skidock. It was really dark out, but I immediately thought it could be our friendly otter that we haven't seen since before the ice formed on the lake last winter. Sure enough, it was our fella! I watched him through the binoculars as he preened himself and snuggled down on the dock, looking like he was gonna hold up there for the night and have a nice sleep.

Well, first thing this morning when I got out of bed, and looked out my window like I do every morning. There was a swarm of American Coot, probably 100 of them out in the bay. Bruchi's the Heron was at the fishpen as usual. I was also watching an Osprey flying around the area. The Osprey returned just a week ago or so, to inhabit their nest for the summer, which is just a few trees away from our house. Around and around the Osprey flew, finally choosing to land in a tree right in front me. I suspect that the Osprey will eventually catch on to the fishpen's lack of netting and take a dive into the pen for a snack. If you recall, during a wind storm this winter, the netting blew down and had to be removed. This opened the way for many visitors to sneak in and steal a fish, or two, or three! I wonder how many of the 10,000 fish that were planted will be left when they go to release them in May?


Within a couple of minutes, my Otter friend appears and swims up to the fishpen to visit Bruchi's and share some breakfast. He climbed right up on the pen, just a couple of feet from Bruchi's, dunked down in the water, and imerged with a fish! I sat there and watched the two catch fish after fish and gobble them down together. I snap a couple of photos from my balcony, and take a quick video.




Deciding this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I decide to quickly dress and get my shoes on and take the tripod and camera down to the beach to take better photos/videos. I sneak around the pucker brush, and behind our neighbors boat house. Realizing that I forgot the mount for the camera for the tripod, I find something to lean on for a steady hand. I see Bruchi's, but not the otter. I take a quick photo. Then the sun came out and lit up the scene just perfectly! I snap a couple more photos before my husband, who is off from work today decides to come down there for a closer look. He just comes waltzing across the beach and kept walking towards the dock after clearing the boat house I was hiding behind. I was like "What are you doing"?!?!?! He slips behind a tree, as the bird flies off... Ah, too late dude, you already scared him off. I was not pleased with hubby at this point. The otter was no where to be found either. Grrrrr.... Here is one of the sunny photos I managed to get before he scared off my damn bird!


6 comments:

  1. Awwww the Otter is adorable! Great picture of the heron Sherrie :)

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  2. Such an awesome bird day! This afternoon I finally saw my first loon of the season. Always quick to duck away before I can get a snapshot. Shortly after that, the Osprey did exactly what I was predicting... took a dive in the fish pen. I couldn't tell if he caught anything. Bruchi's was patiently waiting on the edge of the pen, and barely blinked an eye, when the Osprey splashed into the pen. It's exciting to watch, because they really surprise you with a big, loud splash when they do go after a fish. Then they come rising out of the water like a torpedo. Such a great bird day!!!

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  3. Right on!! Glad you got to get out and take some photos. =) I am in the picture taking mood too.. we should plan a photography day of birds together. Although it may have to be on a weekend so I don't have to bring Autumn who might scare them all off. LOL

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  4. I would love to do a photography day!! The birding is awesome right now. A weekend day would be good, I'll have help with puppy sitting. We'll plan one soon.

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  5. Sherrie, I am truly amazed at the beautiful pictures you take. They are every bit as good as the ones Audubon took. They are outstanding!! You have a very good camera now. Keep on!!!!

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