Osprey Action

A friend of mine gave me directions to an Osprey nest near where she works. She told me that they are becoming active lately and boy was she right! Although I was disappointed in the quality of the images I came home with, I did like the composition of most of them. This is because they were very active. Not only that, but what started out as a pair evolved into 6 mature Osprey all flying around, dodging each other, etc. I got to observe the male of the nest flying very high and hovering, fish in talons, calling and calling, then coming down to be romantic. I saw the female gathering branches and grasses for the nest, etc. All in all, it was a hugely productive day for me as far as observing these guys. Although I did get one shot of another Osprey last week, this is the first time I ever went out specifically to photograph them and other then the image sharpness, I have no complaints. (Getting the focus with the "P" lens is going to take some prtactice...) Hopefully I'll get some better quality shots as time goes by, but I am excited about watching these guys and wanted to share a few of the shots I got today... D2H, 500 f/4 P, TC16a.

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He struggled with this fish. It was still alive when he came back with it. He landed on a power line pole and every time the fish flapped it's tail, he had to spread his wings for balance...

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Let me know what you do to get the sharpest images of BIF. I had pretty good luck with the Tundra swans but did poorly today. (But for a "poor" day, I was very please with the opportunity!) :biggrin:

 

In my dreams! I corrected the lens info... Shot w/the 500mm P lens with the 1.6a TC.

 

Thanks Frank. Yup, I used the "magic" TC for sure. I think it does OK for BIF when they are flying parallel to me. But when they are coming at me, I still need to adjust the focus collar to get in the ballpark.

 

Thanks Phil. I just wish I could see some better feather detail...

Thanks Gary.

LOL! I'd have to agree Sean!

Thanks Tom.

Thanks Louie. I was in my glory watching these guys. Too bad it's been raining ever since!

 

Thanks! I was very fortunate to have such great timing. Sometimes luck does swing my way I guess! :wink:

Thanks Sandi. I was very fortunate to be there during all this.

Thanks Mike. Pick a morning and I'll send you some directions. You'll have to leave real early. This nest is about an hour south of Conowingo.

 

Thanks Simon. I couldn't believe the size of that one fish...  

Thanks Thomas!