Hi, Janice, My guess would be a little owl of some type, but that's just a guess on my part. I enjoyed looking at the photos of the Egrets, little dock, not frozen water, green plants, and other signs of life! Just a day in the life at the water's edge. Thanks.
Windows are opened, and the days are sunny and warm. This is not normal wintertime weather, at least not in January. I'm definitely enjoying it though. Gosh it's been great.
The unfortunate part is these warm southerly winds could bring red tide back. Although I'm thoroughly loving the warmth, to protect "my" birds and the fish, we could use a brisk north wind! And thank goodness for my new 12-volt electric blanket. (Smile)
Thanks for your comment Pam. I do believe this bird is an owl too. The baby night heron pictures all show a straight beak, not the curved one this newcomer displays. As a side note, I've not seen it since though I continue to look. Your friend in the south, J.
Looks like the hawks that hang out on power lines near my house
Hi Janice: Looks like a hawk to me!
Maybe an immature Coopers Hawk. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/788341109760381596/
It’s a small hawk possibly a Merlin
I am glad you thought it might be a hawk too. In my opinion because of the unusual behaviors "my" other wild birds displayed I was *almost* positive it wasn't a friendly critter. Hawk is a possibility, definitely. We have an osprey (full grown) that lives atop a Morgan34 docked nearby. I'm always careful when Skipper is outside because birds of prey might think her 5 pound self is a tasty snack!
Thank you so much for your idea. I'll look more carefully at the hawks in my bird book.
Thank you for your comment. I do appreciate that. J.
Hawks seem to be the top assessment. I do wish I'd gotten a better picture. Since that one day I have not seen this bird again though I continue to look. The mangrove trees behind Seaweed are the only ones in the area so it is a mecca for critters.
The snook are back, along with a sheepshead that looks delicious... I'll continue to look for that hawk though. I had thought it might be an owl though overwhelmingly you are in the majority. Thank you Sir for your comment. I do appreciate that. J.
Thanks for the link to Pinterest Marsha. That was interesting, and definitely the behaviors changed. I don't recall silence however I don't hear well so unless the ibis are honking (wow, they are the coolest), mostly though I don't hear much. The information provided on the Pinterest page was interesting. Thank you for sending the link.
Take care and I'll see you along the waterways one of these days. Your friend in Madeira Beach, J.
Thank you Kim for the Merlin clue. I'm looking at my strange bird seems similar to that one too. Your idea may just be correct. The coloring is almost an exact match. Now I might be looking at the wrong bird as my book calls the Marlin a falcon, though I suspect falcon and hawk are sometimes used interchangeably. It's been a fun search for the ID of this bird. I almost hope it comes back for a brief visit (don't want to scare my feathered friends) ... but if it comes back I'll get a better picture I hope.
Thank you friend for your thoughts on my newest bird. I miss you. Hoping to see you again... J.