Osprey taking off |
Osprey clutching prey |
So here is how I found my mistake. Early in the morning yesterday, before work, I stopped at the bank to withdraw some cash and then decided to check out the pond behind the bank to see if there were any new birds for me to take pictures of. I haven't had much time recently for birdwatching as I was in the process of moving, and was just then feeling tired and more than a little stressed. Bird watching never fails to relax me, which was why I decided to spend a little time at the pond.
I was only part of the way through the parking lot when I spotted a huge bird in the sky circling the pond. I didn't have my glasses on and at that moment couldn't really make out much about the bird, but I recognized that it was different by his long narrow wings and the way he flew. And so, my camera was out of the camera bag and trained on the bird before I really even thought about it.
Osprey in the distance |
In order for me to recognize that the Osprey was carrying a fish, it has to be quite large, because even though the camera lens sort of makes up for my lack of glasses when I zoom in, it doesn't quite replace them. Then there is the fact that an Osprey has a six foot wingspan and huge talons, which as you can see clearly if you enlarge the images above, surround the fish but not in such a way that they are stretched. Seeing him clutching the fish also confirmed quite nicely that I was indeed looking at an Osprey, because they feed almost exclusively on fish.
Osprey wings spread wide |
Osprey in flight |
I hadn't realized that the fish in this pond were quite that large, but that fact must have been what attracted the Osprey to the pond in the first place. Needless to say I was thrilled and excited, and couldn't wait to get home to see my pictures. My day, following the sighting of the Osprey, went smoothly and well. It was as if, seeing the Osprey, was a gift to me from the universe which carried the message that no matter how much you have on your plate there is still joy to be found, and this helped to relax me immensely. LOL and maybe the universe was laughing at me just a little.
If you wish to learn more about this beautiful bird just follow the links below:
http://www.srd.alberta.ca/BioDiversityStewardship/WildSpecies/Birds/LargeHawksEagles/Osprey.aspx
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Pandion_haliaetus.htm
An added treat, live web cam: view of an Osprey nest with chicks:
http://www.enmax.com/Energy/Res/Greenmax/Osprey+Camera/OspreyLiveCamera2.htm
Enjoy,
Susan
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