Hatch Year Osprey Migrating Through Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

My best find at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma yesterday was a migrating hatch year Osprey perched in the dead trees at Miner’s Cove.

Hatch year Osprey at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/1250, ISO 1250, +1.0 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

I had arrived at Miner’s Cove before the sun rose over the horizon to eat my breakfast. Then I saw an unexpected shape high in the trees that I recognized right away. What I didn’t realize until there was enough light was that the Osprey was a hatch year bird.

The first photos I took of the young Osprey weren’t up to my standards because of the low light. I drove around for a bit, then headed back to Miner’s Cove hoping the Osprey had stuck around, and she or he had.

I was able to get a few photos of the Osprey in good light before they lifted off and flew toward Lower Scarborough Slough.

Ospreys are typically only seen at the refuge during migration, so I’m delighted and thrilled that I was able to see and photograph this hatch year Osprey there.

I should also note that the refuge sustained some damage this past week due to wind and weather events. Quite a few older, large trees came down, but the refuge staff has already cleared the roads.

There is also a lot of water where it had dried out over the summer.

I saw other birds at the refuge but wanted to share a photo of the hatch year Osprey this morning. Hatch year Ospreys often have orangish eyes and a more mottled or scaled look on their back and wings because of pale edges on their feathers.

Maybe the young Osprey will stick around the refuge for a couple of days. I sure hope so, but I can’t say for sure.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Osprey photos plus facts and information about this species.