No Luck for That Osprey

No Luck for That Osprey

No Luck for That Osprey, he did not get his fish, he came up out of the water empty handed. I did not get a shot because my camera was buffering. But next thing I saw was another osprey coming from my right side and it did have a fish in its talons.

Now this might be a sad photo for the fish. But it is nature doing what it is designed to do. Fish is the main diet to the Osprey and its talons are created exactly for what it needs to do to survive.

Included below is a video of a variety of birds I have photographed here on the Gulf Coast, including the Rare Reddish Egret and my camera settings that I use to go with some of the photos.

As the bird reaches for a fish, its outer front toe swivels to the rear, giving it two grasping talons front and back. Its long, slender, arched wings help the Osprey get clear of the water too, as it takes flight with the fish’s head facing the front—the most aerodynamically efficient position.

It is Lunch Time
Shutter Speed Settings - New Bird - Sting Rays - Cute Birds - Fish Eating Birds, Gulf Coast Wildlife

It is Lunch Time

by Sandra J

39 Replies to “No Luck for That Osprey”

  1. Wow, the images are so sharp in the bright blue sky. Well I was rooting for him to grab that fish, especially with all the hard work – I guess another will come along soon or they would not have the stamina to keep up their fishing skills.

  2. great pictures! I have seen a few osprey on the gulf coast as well and I’m always fascinated by their method of carrying fish and their bright, clear eyes.

  3. Your shot also shows a key identification characteristic between the Osprey and the Eagle – Osprey’s always carry their catch parallel to their body (which I think is actually better aerodynamically), where eagles usually carry perpendicular in the claws.

    1. That is so amazing, and someone had mentioned that the Osprey just swoop down and grab the fish like eagles do and then all of a sudden this one dived full body into the water.

    1. Thank you Mr Ohh, no I did not get any video. When I am out there I have to make a decision to press the video button or shutter button. These birds are so fast, I never got another chance to do the video. 🙂

    1. I bet they don’t miss to often, but this one went full body into the water, usually they just grab a fish with the talons without going in. 🙂

  4. Noooo! I was so sure the osprey got the fish!!! Hm. At least his friend got a fish. I doubt he will share though. 🙂

    1. I know, I bet they don’t miss to often but this one went full body into the water so the fish must have just gotten away.

  5. Thanks for the explanation and sharing your marvelous pictures with us. I never knew or suspected that the talon would swivel to provide a fore and aft catch for the fish. The one of the Osprey carrying the fish in its talons reminds me of the early WWII torpedo bombers with the torpedo suspended from the under carriage.

  6. Thanks Sandra! Great pics. Loved the video. I especially liked the drone segment. Great work! Y’all must be greatly enjoying yourselves out there. Blessings

    1. Thank you very much RJ, yes this is a trip of a life time for us. We have talked about doing this for years and the time has finally arrived. We are skipping winter and staying in the south this year. I am so grateful everyday that I wake up and step outside to see things I never thought I would see. My husband does all the drone work, this trip is about sharing what we see from above with his drone and through my camera. We have been meeting some extraordinary people along the way. Thank you for all your encouraging words you write. I truly appreciate it. 😊

    1. I wish I could make fishy my sole food source, too. I’ve heard it’s possible, if you got enough fishies. They contain everything the human body needs to strive and survive.

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