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Good Fishing Day


Good Fishing Day
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15132)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40D, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite Bird of Prey photos, The predator with the Prey 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-29 5:07
Viewed: 515
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Todays posting is from the beginning of our trip. we were at the Cypress Hills and were just returning to our campsite when this Osprey and his rather large catch, a Northerh Pike was spotted on the causeway across the shallow east end of Elkwater Lake. His catch was almost too big so it only made it to this road sign on the causeway. A couple of bites and the fight was over.

Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
General Description

By Lee Sollenberger


The Osprey is a cosmopolitan species, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. Endangered by DDT, Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery since that pesticide was banned in the 1970s. It is now, once again, a fairly common bird of the boreal forest and foothills region of Alberta, probably absent only from the arid southeastern part of the province, except during migration.


Osprey, usually flying about 30 m (100 feet) up, scan the water for fish, their only food. They often hover in one spot for a prolonged period before making a spectacular plunge dive, wings raised, feet extended out front, to capture their prey. Sharp talons and spiny soles ensure a good grip. Rising to the surface, with a few flaps they again become airborne, then shaking to rid themselves of excess water, continue flying. Shortly after, they re-position the fish headfirst, to streamline their flight. Bald Eagles often try to steal their prey. Sometimes they capture a fish too large to carry. Unable to let go, they flap and drag the prey to the shore. If it is a really large specimen, it may pull the Osprey underwater, drowning it. Most of their prey fish are species of little interest to man.

Their nest, re-used year after year, is a bulky structure. In the past, it usually was sited on a strong branch or on the top of a broken tree, a cliff pinnacle or even on the ground. In recent years, Ospreys have taken to using man-made structures - utility poles, electrical or communication towers, church steeples and nesting platforms especially erected for them. The female does most of the incubating of the usually three eggs, for 32 to 33 days; the male bringing her food at the nest site. She broods and tends to the young for a further 30 days. They begin to fly at 51 to 59 days of age, becoming independent within one week, but remain near the nest for up to eight weeks.
Miss_Piggy, pekkavalo1, maurydv, goldyrs, jaycee, Luis52, angela926, eqshannon, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hallo Rick
This week time is critical; however...............................This is a great image, filled with lots of detail to appreciate. You have captured this Osprey in a lovely pose also showing its catch of the day so clearly. This must have been an exciting moment to witness. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Anna

Hi Rick,

Very good capture of Osprey with catch. Good pose and composition, very sharp details and good colours.

TFS

Pekka

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639] (11925)
  • [2008-05-29 7:24]

Hi Rick,

A nice and new found road sign,one I havent seen here around in sweden,although I sometimes see an osprey,well captured with good colors and details,and it looks like a prety good meal,thanks

Paul

Spettacolare momento di cattura, eccellente POV, splendido taglio compositivo, bellissime la posa e l'espressione intensa dello sguardo, ottima nitidezza, bellissimi i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

What an awesome shot, Rick!
very well seen, framed and captured!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-05-29 9:14]

Hi Rick,

I would have trouble carrying that fish around too! Love the way the Osprey is standing on it to make sure he didn't lose it. Wonderful shot of the bird with his strong looking face and pretty plummage. You find all these fascinating subjects!!!

Jane

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-05-29 10:31]

Hola Rick.
Bella foto de esta Aguila logrando su comida diaria. La nota es muy interesante tambien y de gran valor educativo, pues me da mucho gusto saber que esta especie de nuevo toma su nivel de poblacion gracias a que dejo de usarse el DDT.
Saludos Rick.
Luis52.

Hello Rick,
great capture of this fantastic osprey, beautiful
natural colors and good clarity, excellent sharpness
and depth of field, great pose and fantastic timing,
great pose and stare, I love his yellow eye.
Angela

Again I have been remiss..My days are full and I almost feel as if I need to take a break. Hard to keep up and you do not make it easy with photos of raptors such as this... I think I have mentioned that in the US collections of feathers is against the law...too bad...the native traditions go back a long way and even an image as this is a spirit gift....you are a true man of nature and spirit...even though you have your hands in other things...you modify it well for us and we continue to thank you for your generous contributions to both world....both of which are in Peril.
Bob

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-29 19:58]

Hello Rick

WOW! great pov and composition here.
The focus and clarity are excellent.
The nesting osprey here are so far out in the marsh it is difficult to get close.
Wonderful details and colours.
You were blessed with this encounter.
Great job.
TFS

Rob

Rick,

Nothing like having a bite while sitting on a road sign :)
That's a great image. I like the composition and the fact that you got it when the fish was still recognizable. I like the background, colors and the focus on the bird. It shows it really nicely. Great job.

Best Regards,

Martin

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-05-30 3:13]

Just AWESOME!!!
This is a fantastic photo, Rick!
How close were you?
The fish looks truly mangled!
Very sharp and very detailed.
Excellent pose.
Superb DOF.

Very well done!

Joe

hello Rick

excellent shot of the Osprey with his hunt (fish),
with fine POV, very beautiful luminosity of the image,
wonderful yellow eyes that is contrasting from the rest of the image colours,
i love the expression on his glance, great sharpness and details,

TFS

Asbed

Excellent teaching pic Rick. Good consistent clarity all through too. Nice to see it. TFS Trevor

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