Million Dollar View

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Million Dollar View
Photo Information
Copyright: Sue Thomson (SueThomson) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 53 W: 0 N: 73] (238)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, 75-300 Canon EF
Exposure: f/22, 1/13 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-05 0:40
Viewed: 167
Points: 15
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
What an amazing sight! Two Ospreys have built their nest in a beacon at the end of Currimbin Creek, which is on the southern most part of the Gold Coast. They are oblivious to the activity around them and surfers, boats and kayaks all frequently use this area and pass by close to the nest. No doubt they built because they have a good lookout for other predators but I think they just like having a ‘million dollar view’. The view is looking back to Surfers Paradise.

Whilst I was taking this photo, one of the locals advised that they build here every year and the council has previously tried to move the nest without any success…the birds kept bringing the nesting material back to the same spot.

I have a couple more shots of them to upload to TrekNature over the next few days so I hope you enjoy!

About the Osprey – The Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, has dark brown upperparts contrasting with pale underparts and has a black band through the eye, separating the white throat from the pale crown. The Osprey has a small head which it swivels or sways it from side to side. It's beak is strongly hooked with powerful legs. The female is similar to the male but is larger and has a fuller, darker breast band.

The Osprey is found in coastal and lake areas and feeds mainly on medium-sized live fish which it rips apart to eat. When hunting it folds its wings, then drops headlong, with its feet forward to snatch a fish with its talons where it may go right under the water.

The Osprey tends to use the same nest year after year which is made from sticks and driftwood and may be huge after many years. It is usually placed on a cliff, a dead tree or even a radio mast. Both birds bring sticks, but the female usually places the sticks in the nest. The nest is lined with grass, seaweed or bark. The female does most of the incubation, while the male brings food to the nest.
gracious, rcrick, PaulGana, Ken52, tuslaw, SelenE, JoshLewis, Argus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Sue,
Very impressive and interesting to find the Osprey building their nest in a beacon!
the lighting is beautiful here with good clarity, nice colour and details in the shot
many thanks for the sharing
best regards
Tony

Hi Sue,

Pretty amazing backdrop for the nesting Ospreys, they've been there for quite a while now, wonderful colours and excellent d.o.f, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

they definitely have quite the view, nice shot, love the deep blues in the water

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 633 W: 94 N: 1139] (3667)
  • [2008-05-05 11:51]

Beautiful shot of natural environment with great city skyline in background. Outstanding composition.

Wow! Sue, now that is what I call a nest!! Great shot, very nice exposure and vivid colours. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into the lives of these beautiful birds of prey. TFS
Ron

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2212 W: 58 N: 3662] (12026)
  • [2008-05-06 2:33]

Hi Sue,
This is interesting, but I'm sure they have a good reason for insisting on building their nest there. Well seen and captured. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Views are worth more than a million dollars, why in my day they would refer to the words beauty is worth more than money!

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2211 W: 128 N: 5905] (18469)
  • [2008-05-07 7:15]

Hello Sue,
Great capture of an Osprey's nest plus owner on a beacon at Currumbin Creek. This pair of Ospreys are real property speculators!
Interesting to see some species make use of what we do to their natural world and this fine image is a good illustration of that.
Thanks for sharing this,
Regards, Ivan

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