Capturing this Osprey photograph was a unique once in a lifetime opportunity. This was the closest that I have ever been to a wild free Osprey and with little doubt I will never get this close again.
For the full story of this encounter visit my son Chad’s Photoblog.
The Osprey, also known as a Fish Hawk and sometimes referred to as a Fish Eagle, normally does not allow a human to approach closely nor is it often seen on the ground. At the beginning of this encounter I was concerned that it had its feet entangled in a mat of debris and fishing line. That was not the case. Apparently it was gathering nesting material and did not want to leave its bundle behind when approached.
The Ospreys population was driven close to extinction by the use of the pesticide DDT. The DDT caused thinning of the Osprey’s egg shell which in turn caused egg breakage during laying and incubation. Since the ban of DDT in 1972 the Osprey population had rebounded nicely. When leaving Florida I noticed that most pairs of utility poles between Lakeland and Kissimmee sported an active Osprey nest.
Salty
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, and great info on the post. I rescued my first osprey here last year that had flown into the side of a house(go figure). I was really impressed with their feet. They have a rubbery texture on their feet to help them hang on to fish..Pretty cool. thanks for sharing
I just went & viewed you're son's ..and as I told him,~ WOW! You two make quite a team! Fantastic captures! As you said once in a lifetime captures! How exciting! I love that you were both shooting the bird at the same time from opposite angles!! Excellent work!
ReplyDeleteAnd sharing such magical moments with your son ~even better!!
Cat
fantastic
ReplyDeleteYeah, I guess me posing with that wild osprey is pretty "once in a lifetime".
ReplyDeleteGlad we got to share those moments together, Dad.
Thanks for collaborating with these posts.
Oh my this is special. What an encounter. I am happy the Osprey was not entangled as they often are.
ReplyDeleteI remember unwreapping a redwing blackbird once that took a hour or so. It was hopelessly entangled in fishing line.
This is a really nice shot.
Great post Salty..
ReplyDeleteHow good that must have been I can only imagine. I have never even seen one.
We had 148 breeding pairs in all of GB last year. They were hunted to the point where one pair were left in Scotland.
Its main UK stronghold is now stillin Scotland. smome nest sites have public viewing facilities like such as Loch Garten, Speyside, and Loch of the Lowes, Perth. It has in the last year or two started breeding in England at Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, and at Rutland Water where it was introduced. A pair can also be found in Wales in the Glaslyn valley where there is a public viewpoint.
Fantastic moment to have been able to share with your son.. one that will live with you both for ever.
All I can say is WOW!!! I bet your heart and adrenaline were going super fast!
ReplyDeleteVery photojournalistic and the eyes of the Osprey is impressive!
ReplyDeleteAmazing once in a life time experience Salty. I find it fascinating that the bird didn't fly away.
ReplyDeleteI'm on my way to Chad's blog now. You make a great team.
22 years in Florida I have never seen one this close I like you have seen the nests high on the electric poles on I-4 Ospreys always build their nest high and it seems like it's always on a single pole or like structure and any time one has to be disturbed for contruction you must provide a suitable replacement and move the nest such is the case where I work there is a single pole at the entrance to our transit garage with a very large nest at the top I am enjoying all the floria pictures!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, Salty! I think it's wonderful that you and Chad share this love for photography, and that you do it together. It's neat to see what you were shooting in the picture that he took with you in the background! Very cool...
ReplyDeleteGreat shot and exciting story! I think that's what you call being in the right place at the right time.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful shot. Loved Chad's story as well.. :) :) How fun to come across this beautiful bird!! :) :) Aloha, Renee
ReplyDeleteWow....What an awesome experience....and you even captured it on camera to share with us....that is even better!
ReplyDeleteFAbulous shot!!!!
I am so excited to see that I am not the only one that will lay on the ground for an amazing shot! what an amazing experience!
ReplyDeleteWonderful capture of photos. I was just at Chad's blog checking his photos out.
ReplyDeleteSalty: We have some Osprey that fish my lake. I love to watch them dive for fish and turn the fish head first to fly away. they are really fast in the air.
ReplyDeleteIncredible!! How very exciting to get that close. I'll have to go check out your son's blog now to see his pic's.
ReplyDelete~ Wolf Lover Girl