Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/108313
Sarasota News Leader February 8, 2013 Page 79 had seen something unusual and had the com- This year's SK CBC Best-in-Hiding Prize was mon sense to document the birds in a series awarded to Green Heron. Day in, day out, like clockwork, Little Green perches on the bridge of grainy, over-exposed photographs. railing of Heron Lagoon at noon. But he was The team's delight upon this discovery does simply nowhere to be found CBC day! Good not fade because the sub-arctic Black Scoter no-show, Little Green! will fare well here during its migratory soBooby Prize. Hmmm. That was shared by journ. And, rest assured, concerned ornitholtwo Eastern Screech Owls. Nebougepas ogists and conservationists are already on the (which means "don't move!" in French. And job — analyzing the data to discover the cause she doesn't!) and Otus. (That's me!) You see, I of these aberrant avian migratory patterns. was watching the team members look for Little Green Heron and laughing so hard at them Last, but not least, what does it mean to peothat my hoots betrayed our position. Uh oh! ple on Siesta that some 1,240 Laughing Gulls were counted? Well, it means that a lot of This year's Honorable Mention goes to Mme. property maintenance crews, homeowners, Osprey, who valiantly tried to escape being boat owners and car owners will spend a lot checked. The day before Siesta Key's CBC, of time scraping up gull poop from docks, Helen Clifford, a director of the Siesta Key Association and the Siesta Condo Council, tarps, car roofs, walkways, kayaks, etc. He ratted out Mme. Osprey's nesting site to SNL, who laughs last?? and the team honed right in on it! Noble and Now to what the count means to us avians ... valiant try, Mme. Osprey! (For even more on that story, I direct you to a follow-up article Since the Audubon CBC's inception, 112 in the SNL.) years ago, it has been the privilege of Eastern As I am a poor loser, it is with begrudging Screech Owls to preside over the ceremonial admiration and respect that I thank the CBC awards presentation in which First Prize for team, even those pesky newbies, for seeking Best-in-Hiding and Booby Prize for Worst-in- us out that day; the owners of private propHiding are bestowed upon meritorious avian erty on SK who allowed the team access to subjects. The reason my species has been sin- their lands; and Helen Clifford — all for cargled out for this particular honor has nothing ing enough to make the 2012 Audubon CBC to do with the fact that Eastern Screech Owls a huge success and also for making it a wonare wise, prescient and charmingly photoge- derfully fun day! nic. It has to do with the fact that we are nocOtus turnal and most of the subjects of the awards ABOUT OTUS are diurnal. Therefore, as we "night owls" Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-Owl, was born on Sieslove to nap during the day, our awards cere- ta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a monies are mercifully brief — no intermina- keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of ble speeches; no forced, gratuitous humor or nature's secrets. Otus will answer your questions about our amazing wildlife, but only if you Ask Otus. So please commercial interruptions. It is "Here's your send your questions and photos to askotus@sarasotanewsleader.com. Thank you. prize. Now, nap!"