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Call of the Osprey


Call of the Osprey
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Cridland (rcrick) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 40 N: 1052] (3410)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D, Canon 100-400mm IS USM + 1.4x converter, SanDisk Extr. IV 2Gb, Hoya 77mm Pro1 DMC UV LPF
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Port of Brisbane Wetlands, CeltickRanger's favorite photos of singing birds, Open Up....II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-15 4:44
Viewed: 410
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taken down at the Port of Brisbane early this afternoon this Osprey is a medium-sized fish-eating raptor (bird of prey). It has dark brown upperparts contrasting with pale underparts. There is a black band through the eye, separating the white throat from the pale crown. The Osprey has a rather small head and neck and typically swivels its head around or sways its head from side to side. When it is perched, there is a short bristly crest. The eyes are placed well forward on the head. The fingered wings in flight are narrow and angled distinctively. There are dark carpal patches on the underwing (at the bend in the wing).

The beak is strongly hooked and the legs are powerful. The female is similar to the male but is larger and has a fuller, darker breast band. The Osprey is also called the Fish Hawk or White-headed Osprey.

The Osprey is cosmopolitan, being found in many coastal and lake areas of the world. In Australia, it is found on the north and east coast from Broome to the south coast of New South Wales. There is also a southern population from Kangaroo Island to the Great Australian Bight and a western population from Esperance to Cape Keraudren. Ospreys are also found in the Phillipines, Indonesia and New Guinea.

They are found on the coast and in terrestrial wetlands of tropical and temperate Australia and off-shore islands, occasionally ranging inland along rivers, though mainly in the north of the country.
Ospreys are sedentary, though they will range more freely in non-breeding periods. They are frequently faithful to a nest site, using the nest for many years. Young birds may disperse 20 km - 400 km. In Europe, Ospreys are migratory, moving to warmer countries in the winter.

The Osprey feeds mainly on medium-sized live fish, which it does not swallow whole, but rips apart to eat. The Osprey patrols the coast, searching for prey. It folds its wings, and then drops headlong, with its feet forward to snatch a fish with its talons. It may go right under the water or snatch a fish from the surface, before lifting off again, with strong wing strokes.

The Osprey may use the same nest year after year. The nest 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.

Many young Ospreys become entangled in nets or seaweed and drown. Persecution, egg collection and hunting has threatened European populations. Removal of old trees and disturbance has disrupted nesting, but Ospreys readily use artificial nesting platforms. Their fish prey may be contaminated by pesticides. Few Ospreys now breed on the New South Wales coast and they are listed as vulnerable.

Link; http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=331

Details; Shot Raw converted to Jpeg cropped and sharpened slightly, passed though neat image to reduce some digital noise.

Camera Model Canon EOS 5D
Shooting Date/Time 15/06/2008 12:31:24 PM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation -1/3
ISO Speed 320
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM +1.4x
Focal Length 560.0 mm
Image Size 508x800
Image Quality Superfine
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode Manual focusing
Picture Style Neutral
Sharpness 6
Contrast 2
Saturation 2
Color tone 1
Color Space sRGB
Noise Reduction On
File Size 111 KB
Custom Function
C.Fn:02-2
C.Fn:08-1
Drive Mode Continuous shooting
SelenE, ramthakur, goutham_ramesh, Arjun, maurydv, CeltickRanger, MartinL, Jamesp, jpdenk, JPlumb, iris has marked this note useful
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To MartinL: Call of the Ospreyrcrick 2 06-16 21:02
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Critiques [Translate]

You got a winner here, Richard.
I love the bird etched so beautifully against the deep blue sky.
The picture is well balanced and artistically composed.
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Hi,
This bird stands out very well against the blue BG. The open beak, catch light and good exposure make this a pleasant picture to watch.
TFS
Goutham

Hey Rich,

Nice shot. I've got an osprey photo here as well, but not nearly as impressive as this one. Very crisp.
Thanks
Tom

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 290 W: 3 N: 715] (3316)
  • [2008-06-15 9:58]

hello sir
Wnderful picture of this osprey which i had never seen before.lovely composition and action
TFS

Bellissimo momento di cattura, eccellenti POV e composizione che danno "voce" a questo richiamo, ottima nitidezza, bellissimi i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

I like birds of prey and this is wonderful! The sharp look of osprey is exceptional.

Bye

Silvia

Rick,

Not a bad capture at all mate! Comparing to a few Ospreys I saw here in North America, this one looks a bit smaller. Was it by any chance a juvenile or is it just me being tired ? In any event, I like how you captured this one calling. Great timing. TFS!

Best Regards,

Martin

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1205 W: 0 N: 4610] (13714)
  • [2008-06-15 22:46]

i Rick

You really caught themoment here! I have never been so close to an osprey let alone got such a great shot. Excellent work.

JAmes

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2304 W: 59 N: 3674] (11774)
  • [2008-06-15 23:36]

Hi Rick,
The raptor looks good against the blue sky,and pose you captured,timing are very nice. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Hi Rick
Great work in getting the action shot with good detail in his feathers against the bright blue sky. Nice work on the exposure and focus.
Cheers
Sue

Hello Rick,

Excellent shot of this beauty, caught it at just the right moment too. Nice and sharp, good exposure.

Thanks,
John

hello Richard

excellent shot of this Osprey on his call, with fine POV and vertical framing,
excellent sharpness and details, i love this kind of photos
of birds singing or launching their calls, you clicked the camera
at the best moment, TFS

Asbed

Very nicely done Rick. The open mouth on this Osprey makes the shot a winner. That great blue sky behind is a bonus. You got a great shot on the bird itself with great light throughout and good colour and detail. Very good positioning to avoid those branches. Very nice work, awesome catch in an awesome site. I expect you and this bird will become very good friends over time.

Thanks, John

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-19 7:26]

Hello Rick

Wow,great shot.
Wonderful detail and colours.
The focus is sharp.
I like the contrast of white against the blue.
Excellent pov.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 361 W: 39 N: 664] (2071)
  • [2008-06-22 20:19]

Hi Rick
I see from your notes that these are quite urbane in their habitat building and so are some of these predator eagles found here in Delhi.One can find them in many parts of the city flying round in cricles in the sky or suddenly swooping down to pick up a twig or any material they deem fit for their nest at the traffic junction when red lights go on.

This one sure looks ready for a kill.I like the pose with the open beak..and needless to say i have already placed this one in my "Open Up" ...Theme Part II.The sunlight falling on the bird highlights its head and the action.The eye has lit up extremely well.The plumage also has got good lighting and corrct exposure.And the bird indeed quite in control and looks fantastic against the beautiful blue sky.

Thanks for sharing...Cheers

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