Osprey?
 

Spotted what I believe to be an Osprey. Almost missed seeing him and was able to sneak back into the house to grab my camera. I tried to step quietly through the snow to get a little closer -but scared him off but that's when I saw the all-light underbelly and wingspan (about 3')....but seemed to be to broad to be an Osprey.

Re: Osprey?
 

Yeah, it does appear to be some sort of a raptor. Around here, we have several species of them, one of which is a kind of hawk whose silhouette closely resembles what you got a picture of.

Re: Osprey?
 

I did ID this..falcon, a Northern Harrier. My field guide of hawks in the NE has b/w sketches so I had to do some online searches. I thought it was too far inland and not enough white to be an Osprey. I was just in awe of the size and since it swooped down and circled just @30' from me, I did get a good look at the underbelly but it still happened so quickly.

Re: Osprey?
 

Mighty cool. When we get a big bird in these parts it's likely to be a turkey vulture.

Re: Osprey?
 

There is something awesome about birds... and especially the big ones.
I live in town, so I don't hear them much, but the Great Horned Owls make the most eerie sound at night! And then watch the huge silhouette of the bird as it flies off. Very cool indeed!

Re: Osprey?
 

I was fortunate to see a pair of Osprey last May while visiting family in Georgian Bay. The male started the alarm call when he spotted us. The female had been sitting on a twig nest on top of a wooden platform that had been built for them, but decided to get a closer look at us. It was incredible to see one so close! We stayed very still until she settled back on the nest, and then we went back the way we came and left them alone. But, I did get a couple of pictures. :)

Re: Osprey?
 

Pam, I think that was so sweet of that bird to make those windchimes ring for you. That was something special.

Re: Osprey?
 

I should tell my owl story. Once, at about this time of year, back in 2002 or 2003, I was thinking about snowy owls and how I would love to see one in the wild and so I prayed to God to see one. Just a few days later, I was driving to some meeting, and I didn't want to be too early, and the was no traffic so I was driving slowly. All of the sudden there was a huge, beautiful snowy owl flying right along side of the passenger window, and she looked right in at me in a nice hello way. I can't describe the feeling, it was just so 'awe and beautiful'.

Re: Osprey?
 

And there are folks out there who don't believe in the power of prayer. I must say that that was a most awesome answer to yours.

Re: Osprey?
 

Yes, it was. Thank you timetraveler.

Patti