"Squirrel-huntin'" our neighbor used to call it -- driving along in a car while keeping an eye on the scenery. That's what I was doing yesterday morning down near the river when a flash of white in a tree caught my eye. A crow was keeping an eye on a larger bird with lots of white on its head, chest, and legs . . .
This is a little traveled road and not a soul passed as I stopped to take a picture of what I guessed was an osprey -- but I wasn't sure till I got home and put the pics on the computer and began to crop them.
Oh, yes, it's an osprey, I'm pretty sure!
These next two pictures are from the internet -- I'd need a much better lens to achieve a picture like this. But what a gorgeous bird!
NOT MY PHOTO!
The osprey, also known as sea hawk, fish eagle, or fish hawk is found worldwide on every continent except Antarctica. About 24 inches (60 cm) in length with a wingspan of about 71 inches (180 cm,) it weighs from 2 to 4 plus pounds. Its diet is mainly fish -- the one I saw was just by the river -- when a fish is sighted, the osprey will hover momentarily over the surface of the water then plunge in feet first to grab its prey.Now I have to keep my eyes open for signs of a nest. . . wouldn't that be nice?
ALSO NOT MY PHOTO
15 comments:
I just saw my first one the other day (eating a fish) and my photos were terrible! I was so disappointed. *sigh
Hope you spot another one... I'll be expecting more photos from you!
wow. that is awesome....i watch them through another friends blog...as they nest build...ha...
Lucky you!
What an impressive bird. Wingspan of 71"??? Wow. I would love to see one in flight!
I love watching these when we are at the beach. They soar in wide, wide circles and then hover, hover, DIVE! You can always tell when it was a successful dive as they are much more clumsy and slower when they come up with a fish.
So lovely, do hope you find a nest, because they come back every year if they like it there. I've seen lots in FL, but not many up in the Carolinas.
Osprey are amazing. We have them all along the river, with nest high in the pine trees. The nests are huge, and this time of year you can hear the chicks peeping. The last picture you posted is awesome.
Lucky you! We have seen the rare osprey around here but never a nest or even prolonged sighting.
What a wonderful bird. Your last two photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing
THose last two photos aren't mine (as I said in the post) but were found on the internet. If I had a much better lens and a spare day and a bag lunch, maybe I could get such images....
how do spell..jealous
Wow, lucky you. They're rare and protected here.
OMG I love your nature pics! I love to take nature pics and yours are really good! My favorite is the bird on the water, that is just so amazing and I would kill for a shot like that! I saw some sunset pics and loved those as well! I guess I found my new favorite blog ha ha :)
Those last two pics are NOT mine but grabbed from the internet..
Wonderful sighting. You have really a sharp set of eyes -- he blends into nature so well -- barbara
Find the nest, Vicki, and I'll be over with my long lens.
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