Osprey

As an Osprey, how would you hunt for fish? Their’s is the element of surprise. The Osprey I am watching this morning at Herriott’s Mill Pool at Chew Valley Lake is perched on a branch in a dense wooded area, the sun is behind the trees and in front of us spectators. The Osprey is 100 yards from the observation area, hidden by some foliage and in very low light so difficult for us to see.

It has identified its prey and waits, watching its behaviour, until just the right moment. In an instant it is in the air, eyes locked on the fish, it stoops into the water and with the fish in its talons, it looks up to determine its exit route. Sadly for me at this point other photographers clammer in front of me and I have lost my clear view of the Osprey.

Another encounter was at Lagoa dos Abidas in Spain in 2023 when I watched 2 Osprey, 1 catches a fish and the second chases it . It was a very hot, sunny day as you will see from the heat haze. I used my recently purchased Canon RS 800 ml F11 lens. I didn’t keep it.