I saw an osprey do the strangest thing the other day. I was driving from the log yard to the pole yard and I saw one of the osprey go into an aggressive dive. Located between the two yards is a canal. I naturally assumed that the osprey was going after a fish in the canal. I drove closer and pulled over to get some shots of the action.
It was an excellent chance to shoot the osprey. Lately they have been sitting on the eggs and hanging out at the tower. Not a lot of opportunity to get any interesting pictures.
As I started taking pictures, the osprey wheeled around to come in for another swoop. With his sights set on target he banked for the dive.
Then, the osprey did something unexpected! Instead of diving into the canal the osprey dove into an open area. It was fast and low, beautiful to watch. Osprey are fish eaters and to my knowledge they don’t catch rodents. So what was he doing?
Then, he did the osprey snatch. The osprey grabbed a stringy piece of cedar bark. Bark, why bark? He flew about ten feet and dropped the bark. It all seemed quite purposeful.
Then the osprey circle back around and headed out.
He did manage to give me a dirty look as he did his fly by.
I’m left with the question, what was the osprey doing? Was he looking for material for the nest? I don’t think so, because they haven’t worked on the nest for weeks and the eggs have been laid. Did he think the bark was an animal? I doubt it and I think they only eat fish. Was he practicing or playing? Maybe, why wouldn’t a well fed osprey engage in a little fun.
Do any of you good folks have any ideas as to what the osprey was doing? I would love to hear your theory.
No idea, but here you see crows doing strange things as well. They adjust to the circumstances.
I’ve seen them throw a nut on the road and wait for a car to drive over it and crack it for them! 🙂
LikeLike
Smart birds!
LikeLike
Next time they will take à picture of you taking a picture of them.
LikeLike
Hmmm…..I wonder what they call their blog? So I can see my picture.
LikeLike
Maybe just a little target practice. Great story in words and pictures.
LikeLike
Thank you Linda!
LikeLike
Maybe needed to practice his moves because sitting on nest gave em stiff wings… Or had a ton of energy and was sent out to play catch the bark to get rid of some energy… Either way cool experience and photos!!!!
LikeLike
This sounds like a theory from a mom with a bunch of energetic kids! 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe he noticed you noticing him and wanted to further trigger your curiosity… :D… Or maybe he recognizes the camera but is shy…
LikeLike
Then he is a very clever osprey!
LikeLike
you are talking about my nest
and tookd a lot of shoots
this week on my last
when i think, to finished my mess
Did you ask if i am out of season
unseasoned Osprey
So i Tell you neighbor
There is my house
and i am just doing my best
LikeLike
Bravo Osprey Bravo! My sincere apologies. 😉
LikeLike
I have no clue what the Osprey was doing, but you took some amazing pictures while the Osprey was doing it! Of course, since I’m curious by nature I’d really like to know what the Osprey was doing! lol
LikeLike
I know what you mean. If I ever figure it out I’ll let you know, but don’t hold your breath. 🙂
LikeLike
Lol…no turning blue for this girl 🙂 but it would be cool if you ever did figure it out!
LikeLike
I will keep my eye on them. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
I’d say what the Osprey is doing is a fine job of messing with you. Nice series of shots.
LikeLike
Indeed, he was testing the old question of how do you keep a turkey in suspense!
LikeLike
Beautiful photos! The first one that details the color of its wingspan is gorgeous!
LikeLike
Thank you Lesley!
LikeLike
Target practise? Amazing photographs…
LikeLike
That’s what I’m thinking.
LikeLike
You really gets some interesting bird experiences and photos. I see magpies the most (and the smaller ones)..
LikeLike
It was pure luck. I was at the right place at the right time and the osprey stayed around long enough to photograph it. Today I saw a very large white bird soaring very high up, but by the time I could get my camera out it was gone. I didn’t recognize it, so I really wanted to get a good picture. So not all my experiences make it to a picture, but I do try to be ready at a moment’s notice.
LikeLike
You are so observant! Maybe the Osprey knew you were watching and was showing off?…
Fantastic photos – thank you :))
LikeLike
A show off! Who knew, I never thought of that!
LikeLike
Intriguing story and great shots to illustrate it. We have ospreys in the UK too, IN Scotland and Northern England, around 300 pairs. Many breeding pairs are fairly well studied, being protected by constant volunteer guarding and observation, including on webcams. From what I have read Ospreys do sometimes take the odd rodent or rabbit, so perhaps the one you saw thought he was swooping on a snack and dropped it when he realised it wasn’t edible?
LikeLike
Perhaps you are on to something. I’ve never seen these osprey take anything other than fish. I always think of these birds having such sharp eyesight, but maybe this one doesn’t.
LikeLike
I think they do have keen eyes, but perhaps the inexperience of land creatures as opposed to fish in water may have led him to make a mistake – just a thought. Your suggestion of just having fun has as much chance of being right. We have much to learn about these birds.
LikeLike