Ospreys

In December 2011 the adult ospreys met up to breed

The Male

The Female

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They soared above the lagoon looking for fish


When they saw a fish they hovered then went into a steep dive


Before they hit the water they brought their talons forward


Their talons pierced the fish’s skin and then they took off


When they had been in the water they would shake in mid-air

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They flew with the fishes facing forward, usually in both claws


Ospreys always start eating a fish at the mouth


It is unusual to see an osprey eating a fish on the beach


After eating, ospreys like to take a bath


The pair of ospreys started to improve their nest from the previous year


A T-shirt found on the beach made a great lining!


In 2012 the ospreys had two chicks in the nest


The male brought a good supply of fish to the nest


If the male had eaten some of the fish he brought it without its head


The female took most of the feeding duty


Unfortunately they lost one of the chicks in a storm, the other grew well


As its wings developed, the chick could lift higher off the nest


Eventually the chick took its maiden flight


The landing wasn’t pretty, luckily mum was there to provide a brake!!!


The chick grew up to be a feisty young female


Photos taken by Andy Morffew on Tigertail beach, Marco Island, FL


Art & Photos

Ospreys