osprey

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By part 2, Ace missed the Fish

Ace’s body was halfway into the water when he realized the danger.
He began pulling up hard, fighting for altitude.
His body swung to his left and he got the left wing tip caught in the water.

Going from the bottom left of the photo:
The smaller spreading circular splash shows his trajectory as he almost got his body cleared of the river.
The next curve of bubbles shows where his left wing tapped the water and he began a half arc.
Finally he got straightened out and his body fully free of the river. Oh, my.

WALK6836 Jul 13 2015 @ 09-10-11 Haw River Ace fishing lure part 2

By Whew! Ace missed!

I could see the fish as Ace flared his talons for the snatch.
I heard the fisherman further up the bank yell.
Ace looked puzzled as he neared the fish and suddenly aborted his strike.
The osprey had been diving for a fish that the fisherman had just hooked and was reeling in.
Both the fisherman and I breathed better when my photos showed us that Ace had not caught himself on the fish, lure or line.
Whew.

WALK6827 Jul 13 2015 @ 09-10-07 Haw River Ace fishing lure

By osprey family report: quizzical

Jordan Lake osprey family report:
Mom osprey (far right) and one of her three chicks sure are quizzical.
I wonder if it is because a black vulture has settled on a limb
only ten feet to the side and about 15 feet above me.
It is said one cannot go back in time – but I am going to attempt it with the Jordan Lake osprey family.
I kept an eye on them as I finished watching the fledging of the Jordan Lake eagle family.
So, this photo was taken on June 24, 2015 – keep an eye for the dates on upcoming family shots.

WALK9027 Jun 24 2015 @ 06-44-19 Stinky osprey chicks

By careful feet

There is not much room left in the nest.
I’m not sure who is more worried about sharp talons landing in the wrong place –
mom osprey or the chicks.
Note that as mom lands, her toes are knuckling under to prevent her talons from accidentally harming a chick.
The eagles do the same when in the nest and there is no fish to hold down for shredding.

WALK8604 Jun 22 2015 @ 06-38-37 Stinky not much room