Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River, Friday, August 7, 2020. The Haw River within the riprap was full of striped bass. The ospreys were feasting! This male osprey made quite a large catch. To my eye it seemed that there was as much fish as there was bird as the osprey flew past.
Jordan Lake: Usually when ospreys have a disagreement, it is worked out through lots of chatter, high pitched squeals and a couple of bluff dives. There was no bluffing involved in this dispute between two adult female ospreys. None. I think the aggressor was on her own turf and decided she was going to make sure the other female left. I have never seen one osprey deliberately strike another osprey but that is what happened. Yikes! Neither seemed the worse for the encounter as both flew out over the lake, still screaming.
Jordan Lake: The morning was hot and the osprey fledgling was tired. Mom osprey, not seen in the photo, was close by and so it was safe for the youngster to take a nap. May all of you sleep well this night. Peace and grace, Doc Ellen
Not One but TWO! Yes, two fish at the same time. One in each talon. The osprey tried hard to hold onto both fish, but, one got away; you can see the fish drop away. I believe this is a subadult male – about 2-years-old – and still without a mate. As strong and determined as he is, he probably won’t have trouble finding a suitable mate late next winter. WOW! Two at Once!!!
HELLO! I swung around to find this Dad osprey coming in quick, with a lot of curiosity in his face. What a neat surprise as the sun was arising!
Mom osprey was set to grab the fish and bolt for her nest. The fledgling great blue heron, being very inexperienced, tried to get the fish too. A mature great blue heron would not have made the attempt. Mom osprey would not have challenged an adult great blue heron. The fish won the face-off. This time.
