A hungry visitor

[avandonk]

On most nights when outside till the early hours there is a lot of activity from the many possums in my backyard. They are quite used to me and just ignore me. Last night it was unusually quiet. I looked up and saw this silhouetted against the stars. So I went inside and got the camera+flash and captured this picture. He or she did not even flinch.

Bert

[ving (David)]

you got an entry in the photo comp? if not this'd be a good one

[RB (Andrew)]

Enter it in the photo comp Bert, that's a really nice shot.

[Doug]

Yep I agree it is a good picture. enter it by all means.
but what bird is it?? I thought all birds had beaks but I can't see one here

[Volans]

G'day Doug,

What Bert has photographed is a Tawny Frogmouth with its beak part way open to reveal the yellow throat. These are nocturnal birds but are not classified as owls.

Peter.

[Doug]

Thanks Peter, I have heard of those birds, but not being an avid bird watcher, I doubt I have ever seen one. Sure is easy to see why it was named so
tnx,
Doug

[avandonk]

He was 'ere again last night. Thought I'd leave him alone.

The only other natural predator of possums is the powerful owl.

Bert