Osprey on the look-out . . .

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I caught sight of this Osprey on the look-out, high up in a tree at Ding Darling NWR, and waited patiently for him to do something exciting!  IMG_7844He sat staring intently out across the water below, occasionally bobbing in the wind to keep his balance on the skinny branches.IMG_7846

It didn’t take too long to zero in on a fish, as is apparently typical: “Ospreys are excellent anglers. Over several studies, Ospreys caught fish on at least 1 in every 4 dives, with success rates sometimes as high as 70 percent. The average time they spent hunting before making a catch was about 12 minutes—something to think about next time you throw your line in the water.” (Source: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/osprey/lifehistory).  IMG_7858

Once he started swaying back and forth and nodding his head, I knew he would take off any moment . . .  He’d spied his breakfast.  Alas, though, I missed the “Big Moment”, as he swooped downward and disappeared behind the trees.

At least I heard the SPLASH!

10 thoughts on “Osprey on the look-out . . .”

  2. Wonderful shots. it’s amazing that an osprey is so desirous of getting to the highest point that it can stay on branches that small. I can almost feel the tension in the osprey as it prepares to take off. It is tough to remain alert when waiting for a bird to take off–I try it from time to time when I spot a hawk and they are usually more patient than I am.

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