A large nest with two Osprey was located near our camp in Everglades National Park. The wind was playing with this fellow’s feathers.
At the beginning of February, Peggy and I drove down to Florida to visit with our son Tony, his wife Cammie and their three boys: Connor, Chris and Cooper. Afterwards, we drove down to Everglade City in southeast Florida where we explored the 10,000 Island area of the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. There were birds galore, alligators, and even crocodiles! We then crossed the state and drove down to Flamingo in Everglades National Park where we went glamping, i.e. stayed in a tent camp with floors, electricity and comfortable beds.
Peggy discovered an osprey nest nearby when she was searching for a restroom. The one in our glamp-camp was closed for cleaning. She came back to our tent quite excited— to say the least. It was imperative that we go check it out, immediately! We decided to have lunch near the nest so we could watch the osprey come and go. Peggy had seen a chick being fed on her first foray. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see it. “Teach me to head for a restroom without my camera!” Peggy groused. But there was plenty of other action as the ospreys watched us, preened, and remodeled their nest.
The female Osprey lands on the nest. Her ‘necklace’ gives her away. Had I been faster in refocusing, I could have captured her large wing span. The black streak that extends down from the beak to the wing is an identifying factor for osprey. Its partner watched as she landed. The birds mate for life and can live 15-20 years.The size of the nest suggested that the two Osprey had been using it for several years.I’ve always been excited to see osprey. Besides their beauty, they are superb hunters. Watching one dive feet first from 30 to 100 feet up in the air to capture a fish is a sight one never forgets. These fierce looking talons are specialized for catching fish. That they are sharp, is obvious. Not so obvious is the fact that Osprey are unusual in possessing a reversible outer toe that enables them to hold a fish with two toes in front and two behind. Note the pads. They are barbed to help them grip their slippery catch. We were amused to learn that an Osprey lines up its fish head first to reduce wind resistance.Given their strict fish diet, it isn’t surprising that Osprey always build their nests near water including rivers, lakes and the ocean. Somewhat more surprising is that they are found on every continent except Antartica. If conditions are right, they may live in the same area year round, but if not, they migrate and have been known to fly as far as 4200 miles. Their history as a species dates back over 11 million years.Some remodeling was going on. While the birds weren’t particularly worried, they did keep an eye on us. Sometimes, it seemed like they were posing.One peered over the edge of the nest at us. Or maybe it was checking its chicks.A tail shot…Eventually they ignored us and started to preen…Which is always fun to photograph. And then a van showed up and disgorged a group of photographers with serious cameras. They scared the Osprey. I kept my small, light weight camera with its mega digital lens that I easily hold in one hand to myself. Grin. That’s it for today. Friday’s safari post will be on zebras.
Thanks! The osprey were magnificent.
They have certainly developed Flamingo since we were there several years ago. It was pretty much just a campground then.
The wildlife has remained the same, however!
It’s been over ten years since we camped there. After reading your post I went to their website. I’m glad to see they rebuilt the lodge. The glamping tents sound like fun.
Our tent had a nice view of the bay and was quite comfortable although a considerable distance from the restroom. We were at the far end of the camp. I would have liked to check out one of the motel rooms. Looks like a great view. We did have a couple of good meals at the lodge restaurant.
Florida does still have some things going for her. I sure wish they’d find a way to get rid of the Boas, they eat everything!
I have to pay more attention to the Ospreys. There are so many of them around that I think of them almost like sparrows or blackbirds. In fact, there’s one that’s taken up residence atop the mast on a boat next to the one I’m working on. It’s fun to listen to him (?) and his mate call to one another through the day: one perches, while the other fishes. And you’re right about the dramatic fishing technique. They can fly backwards as well as hover — although as I recall they need some help from the wind to do that.
But, I kept wondering, did Peggy ever get to go to the bathroom? ha ha These are wonderful shots of Osprey, you guys. How much fun it must have been to sit with them for an extended amount of time and just share space until they began to ignore you and do their own thing. Perfect. I liked the close up of the taloned foot with red stains. That’s a view that only a fancy camera can get. 🙂
Peggy made it! Ha, ha. The osprey took her mind off it. Grin. Watching them while we were eating was certainly one of our most enjoyable lunches on the road. I’m so amazed at what my new camera does I bought one for Peggy. 🙄
Now instead of having a thousand photos to process, I’ll have 2000. 🤪
Hm…there’s always another way to look at it… ha ha. Best of luck to you, Curt!!
I confess that Peggy is much more selective than I am when it comes to taking photos. It would probably be more like 1100. Doesn’t matter. I enjoy processing photos!
Wandering through Time and Place 
Beautiful captures of the Osprey! Flamingo in Everglades National Park is one of my favorite places.!
Thanks! The osprey were magnificent.
They have certainly developed Flamingo since we were there several years ago. It was pretty much just a campground then.
The wildlife has remained the same, however!
It’s been over ten years since we camped there. After reading your post I went to their website. I’m glad to see they rebuilt the lodge. The glamping tents sound like fun.
Our tent had a nice view of the bay and was quite comfortable although a considerable distance from the restroom. We were at the far end of the camp. I would have liked to check out one of the motel rooms. Looks like a great view. We did have a couple of good meals at the lodge restaurant.
Florida does still have some things going for her. I sure wish they’d find a way to get rid of the Boas, they eat everything!
They are huge, no doubt about it, G! We have always enjoyed the wildlife of Florida.
Glad you had an uninterrupted time with the ospreys before a swag of photographers turn up. Magnificent shots.
Thanks, Peggy. I must say, the photographers were excited. Their driver/guide couldn’t get them back in the van!
I have to pay more attention to the Ospreys. There are so many of them around that I think of them almost like sparrows or blackbirds. In fact, there’s one that’s taken up residence atop the mast on a boat next to the one I’m working on. It’s fun to listen to him (?) and his mate call to one another through the day: one perches, while the other fishes. And you’re right about the dramatic fishing technique. They can fly backwards as well as hover — although as I recall they need some help from the wind to do that.
Did you know, Linda, that the osprey were endangered like the brown pelicans in the 50s due to DDT and other pesticides.
I’d have been as excited as Peggy! Any wildlife sighting gets me on the move. You got some great shots.
Alison
Peggy gets as excited as I, and apparently you, on spotting wildlife, Alison. It’s a good thing! Thanks. –Curt
But, I kept wondering, did Peggy ever get to go to the bathroom? ha ha These are wonderful shots of Osprey, you guys. How much fun it must have been to sit with them for an extended amount of time and just share space until they began to ignore you and do their own thing. Perfect. I liked the close up of the taloned foot with red stains. That’s a view that only a fancy camera can get. 🙂
Peggy made it! Ha, ha. The osprey took her mind off it. Grin. Watching them while we were eating was certainly one of our most enjoyable lunches on the road. I’m so amazed at what my new camera does I bought one for Peggy. 🙄
That is an excellent gift.
Now instead of having a thousand photos to process, I’ll have 2000. 🤪
Hm…there’s always another way to look at it… ha ha. Best of luck to you, Curt!!
I confess that Peggy is much more selective than I am when it comes to taking photos. It would probably be more like 1100. Doesn’t matter. I enjoy processing photos!