Female and male Ospreys on their nest – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
I was hoping to find my first of the year Swainson’s Hawks yesterday but instead I spotted my first of year Ospreys.
I am always looking for birds. It does not matter where I am or what I am doing. I can be at home, in the field, or zooming along the Interstate. I look and listen for birds.
On the way home from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I looked to see what large birds might be in the trees at Willard Bay State Park and I also checked out the nesting platforms that were installed there a few years ago. It was precisely 09:45 a.m. when I saw not one but two Ospreys on one of the nesting platforms and they were mating!
I didn’t get any photos of course because I was on the road zooming along at 75 mph but I was excited to see that Utah’s Ospreys are back for the breeding season.
Watchful Osprey – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Now that I know the Ospreys are back I will start to keep my living room window open a bit to see if I can hear them calling at my local pond. Sometimes they stop at the pond for a day or two on migration and I’d love to get photos of them there. Or anywhere.
Seeing and hearing Ospreys always makes me happy.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Osprey photos plus facts and information about this species.
The top photo was taken at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in 2012. The bottom Osprey photo was taken at Honeymoon Island State Park in Florida in 2008.
Oh this is good news for me. I watch a Osprey nest that is in Montana. One female has returned to her nest out side of Missoula. The other nest is at Missoula Universary grounds. We wait for Iris to return. She is getting older and hope she makes it thru this spring.
How wonderful. I hope (fervently) that their nesting is successful.
What terrific shots!!! That 2nd pic is extraordinary. The intensity of the Ospreys look is deadly. I’m glad I’m not in his (her?) cross hairs. Beautiful work Mia. Thanks.
Nice!
Good shots and good news!
Oooh, Ospreys! Such beautiful and powerful birds. Great closeup shot – love the expression!