A surprise because it was fishing a small meandering stream instead of one of several nearby large bodies of water.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning as I was driving down a mountain canyon this Osprey suddenly and unexpectedly appeared over the small stream below me and to my left. Its flight path and flight maneuvers, including this one, made it obvious that it was fishing the narrow stream rather than following the valley with some unknown destination in mind.
These were grab shots that were tough shooting for me, in part because the background, the far side of the valley, had enough contrast and it was close enough to the Osprey to make it difficult for me to lock focus on it. Most of my shots were either soft or the bird had its back to me or I clipped body parts.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two frames later, as the Osprey continued to concentrate on the stream below, I got one last shot that I liked reasonably well.
I was surprised to find the Osprey fishing such a small, shallow stream instead of one of the several fish-stocked reservoirs that are either very close or fairly close to this area. The vast majority of fish in this stream would be very small, much of the narrow stream is lined with obstructing brush and the typical feet-first diving technique of Osprey in water this shallow would be a potentially disastrous impact waiting to happen.
But when times are tough, as they are right now around here with our extreme drought and high temperatures, birds do whatever they have to do to survive. This summer our reservoirs are extremely low and unusually warm and I suspect those conditions affect fish populations and fishing conditions in ways that I don’t understand. So maybe this Osprey has altered its typical fishing technique and/or the size of fish it takes.
Or maybe I’m missing something. If so it won’t be the first time and I’m certainly no expert on Osprey behavior.
Ron
Notes:
- A related news story from yesterday: Utah’s Great Salt Lake Nears Record Low Water Level.
- And an unrelated one: Rare Wolverine Sighting In Layton May Be The Same Animal Spotted In May
The Bald Eagle family in the area will not be happy with the intrusion.
April, several years ago I photographed a juvenile Osprey in the trees very close to that eagle nest. This Osprey was several miles away from the nest but earlier on the morning I took these Osprey photos one of the eagles cruised by us clear up at the top of the canyon.
Thank you for that info, Ron. I also heard or read somewhere that they don’t “water bath” but I do have photos of two at different times bathing and it is quite funny to watch.
Yeah, I’ll bet it’s entertaining.
I am impressed at the adaptability of the osprey – and sad at the need for it.
This sentence in the article about the shrinking water level struck me. “We are concerned about the dropping lake elevations and the impacts it is going to have on the economy, wildlife, industry, tourism with the ski industry,” she said. The economy would not (ever) be my first focus.
And I do hope you see the wolverine, while wondering why it has needed to move from more usual habitat.
EC, The politicians who control this state always put the almighty $ above and beyond everything else. The main reason “wildlife” is on their list is because it attracts tourists and because the hunting lobby is very powerful around here. And it’s a way for them to falsely claim that they care about wildlife and nature in general. .
Here too.
Perhaps (just perhaps) when they realise that the precious economy is taking a hit they will realise that the time for action is rapidly disappearing.
I will let myself believe this Osprey knows exactly what he’s doing fishing this stream because he’s done it before without injury…and probably come up with a decent meal on more than one occasion. I love all the colors in the background, with his dark body and white striped head and tail feathers so beautifully arrayed against it.
As for GSL and Wolverine … I want to be hopeful for both but have cause for doubts.
“As for GSL and Wolverine … I want to be hopeful for both but have cause for doubts”
That’s about where I am, Chris. At this point I probably have more hope for the wolverine than I do for the lake and that’s a very sad commentary because the wolverine is extremely vulnerable in its present situation. .
Thank you so much for these great shots of my favourite raptor, Ron. I am so very concerned for this species as their food is fish, I understand that fish is also their source of moisture & that they don’t drink water to hydrate. I monitor the nests in the area as best I can & was happy to see that at least two of the nests the chicks were being fed. I also notice that the males are staying in the nests with the females to create more shade, very smart birds so the next time someone calls me a “bird brain”, I will thank them 😁!
Shirley, Birds of the World has this to say about Ospreys drinking:
“Water is probably adequately supplied in the flesh of fish eaten, although there are reports of adults drinking on hot days”
That leads me to believe that they will drink water if they need to.
Thanks for the pictures of the Osprey.
You’re welcome, Trudy.
In the anthropodroughtocene I guess we’ll all have to get creative, including Ospreys. You might be documenting a novel behavior in response to climate change. The same evidently can’t be said about the politicians and the shrinking Great Salt Lake.
I didn’t know that Ospreys had two dark central retrices, although only one is apparent in your photo.
Lyle, a friend of mine is going to ask an Osprey authority he ,knows about this behavior. It probably isn’t anything too far out of the ordinary but I’d like to know for sure.
Every once in a while a grab shot will turn out to be a winner. I have only seen Ospreys fishing in lakes or rivers, but as you say, when times are tough they will do whatever it takes. Really neat to see one in diving shots like these.
Thanks, Everett. I’m getting better at grab shots but it’s still usually a crap shoot, in both senses of the word.
I’m thrilled by the wolverine sightings! Also, you did a good job with surprise bird. I usually just gawk in that sort of situation.
“I’m thrilled by the wolverine sightings”.
That’s how I feel, Nancy. It’s wonderfully exciting just to know they’re out there. I’m in that area (Layton, Antelope Island) several times most weeks so there’s even a chance I might spot one some day.
Now that would be an unforgettable experience!
Interesting! Nice shots – I’ve never seen one from above and didn’t realize how dark their top side is. We get them on Belt Creek occasionally tho it’s no doubt wider than the one it was working.
Many of the large lakes/reservoirs are WAY down. “Hoot Owl” (pretty much night fishing) and some actual closures of some stretches of rivers/streams already happening as are water restriction in some areas. 🙁
Wolverine sightings are neat….. 🙂
Hot and dry – broke 100 yesterday and probably will again today. Creek dropping fast and, it appears, I may not be able to water out of it in a day or two. Hope the well holds – I REALLY don’t want to haul water!
Judy, I was actually shooting up at this Osprey so especially in that first shot it gives you an idea of how much banking and turning ‘he’ was doing to keep the narrow, meandering stream below him.
I remember hauling water to the MT farm many years ago before we had our well drilled. PITA!