Snow Day

'Well, a couple of snow days and I am thinking my 'target' birds are taking the day off or just have had 'birdy snow days'..... 

Sunday evening Deb and I ventured to Motts Landing. Cold, snow...somewhat sleety and it was building up on the piers and docks. We huddled inside and I ordered a Yards Pale Ale and Deb ordered some Chardonnay which she wasn't too fond of. But my Yards was good. 

We were on the far side of the bar but facing outward so we could scan the marshland looking for Short-eared owls. The funny thing about these owls are that they are easily taken for Northern Harriers as both hunt the marshlands low, hover.....and while the owl is a bit smaller, from a distance they are difficult to pick out. The owl essentially has no tail, while the Harrier does and the colorations are close. 

Now, I left the bins in the car and so we were eye-balling it but other than a few gulls, there was little to eye-ball. While at the bar easing myself in the Yards, a man came on the outside deck with his scope and bins and starting scanning for owls as well. The snow was still blustery and I could tell he wasn't enjoying himself being outside-like. 

A solid 10 minutes passed and the gentleman passed,...or I should say he left. No owls for him. It turned out that there were no owls for us either so in that regards, we were 'even'. But looking at it another way. He was outside in the snow and sleet coming up with no owls, and I was sitting down having a Yards. So while no 'target' bird in sight, I had a good time.....