She is osprey a.k.a. "The Fish Hawk. She ranges over much of North America, wherever lakes and river are to be found. About 3/4 the size of Bald Eagle, her rival and competitor, she out fishes him and does not emulate his willingness to scavenge and steal.
When I was starting up my blog in 2008, I came across this picture. It gave me the idea I needed for naming my blog. I saw my favorite hobby, flyfishing for trout and my newest one, birding..... thus troutbirder.
She is not very common here on the plains of southern Minnesota nor in the hills and valleys where I live in the southeast corner of the state. The so called "Bluff Country." She can be found amidst the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and rivers to the north of us. I saw many many of her kind in Florida where she both winters and resides year around. Take a look at this magnificent and amazing raptor in action........
I intend to publish additional posts on the interaction between Ospreys and Eagles, Stay Tuned.
Amazing creature! Will be looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteHave these kinds of birds increased in numbers since DDT and such chemicals were banned?
Like the Bald Eagle they came back from the brink. Thanks to RMN. (I can't believe I wrote that...:)
DeleteA real beauty to watch fish, great video to share.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing bird and thanks for telling how you chose your blogger name. I've often wondered how it came to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this amazing photo and video, TB. We see osprey at the ocean here in Coastal North Florida and can observe their nests on the tallest light poles or cell towers as well as in very tall trees.
ReplyDeleteOnce at the beach during nesting season, an osprey flew quite low almost directly over me carrying her catch--a young shark--back to her nest. She carried lined it up straight beneath her as pictured in some of the video footage. I've read that they often turn a catch under them as they fly until it lines up aero-dynamically like a torpedo beneath them. A true wonder of nature!
I'm always impressed when an osprey flies over with a fish in it's talons.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous picture! We see Osprey regularly around here.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a Fish Hawk (Osprey) up close, I have seen their nests. We have a small hawk that has been terrorizing our little Redpolls:(
ReplyDeleteLarge or small, he'll catch 'em all! Fascinating. As far as I can remember I have never seen an Osprey. They are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought that they would also be southern birds.
ReplyDeleteAmazing video. I saw many of them in Florida but never saw the actual catch.
ReplyDeleteI am tuned.
Amazing! I was thinking of you the other day...we saw a bald eagle flying overhead of a crowded suburban road, here in Chicago! Many of my friends were not surprised as we have a canal right here...but I had never seen a bald eagle right here! It was beautiful and really something to see.
ReplyDeletebtw Lin I seem to have lost the magic spell to study ducks & wheels
ReplyDeleteDid you change your email address? If not, you are still on the list for the bouncer to open the door. the site is www.ducketc.com. If you changed your email, or if it is not working, send me an email at farkel4@yahoo.com and I will resend.
DeleteHi TB - love the way you got your name for the blog. These Ospreys are incredible ... I'll be back ... cheers H
ReplyDeleteI saw the video - amazing ... and I look forward to reading more. The Bluffs seems to be a lovely place to live ...cheers Hilary
DeleteWe have lots of Osprey around here. We wait for them to arrive each spring and now have webcams watching their nesting platforms, mostly on the Chesapeake. Great birds!
ReplyDeleteYesterday while trying to get rid of the ice in my driveway (from packed snow) I heard some crows squawking as they do when chasing the red-tail hawk that lives in my woods - but NO! It was not the hawk - it was a huge all white bird! Then I realized it was a Snowy Owl! Others have seen them down here from time to time, but this was a first for me.
Alas, I was armed with a snow shovel, not a camera. That will teach me - but it is tough to shovel snow or ice with a Nikon around your neck!!!!!
Thanks for revealing the inspiration for the name of your blog. The original photo and the video are amazing. I look forward to learning more about this 'fish hawk'.
ReplyDeleteWe spent an hour watching a flock of gannets fishing the narrow arm of Halifax Bay a few years ago. It seems it must have been a rare visit as we've never seen them locally again. It was most exciting.
ReplyDeleteI have often watched both osprey and eagles fish in the waters around the island upon which I live. I open paddle by osprey nest and they do rise to the ocassion, warning me and then taking to the air and watching me as I paddle by.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing valuable information nice post,I enjoyed reading this post.
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