Tag Archives: ospreys

Field Notes, Instagram Birding

Bald Eagle nest update: New tenants

By: Sally Siko, Admin-Birdwatching NC

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Bald Eagle nest update… Well, as you can see these are not Bald Eagles. Looks like a pair of Ospreys have moved in. I’ve been keeping an eye on this nest since January but unfortunately, the female Eagle disappeared in late February. The male Eagle hung out at the nesting site as recently as last week, but now that the Ospreys have arrived, he has gone too! So, going forward I’ll still be monitoring this nest but it now appears that instead of Eagles, my focus will be on this family of Ospreys. I’m admittedly a little sad that I won’t get to see eaglets this year however, I’m looking forward to following the nesting progress of the Ospreys in the coming months. Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc Canon 5Ds . . . . #birdnerd #birdsofinsta #birdsofinstagram #ncwildlife #birding #birdwatching #birdwatchers #bird #birds #ncbirding #ncbirds #ncbirdwatching #canon #canon5ds #ncoutdoors #ncnature #canonwildlife #ncwildlifephotographer #northcarolinabirding #birdwatchingnc #northcarolinabirds #audubonsociety #birdoftheday #audubonnc #osprey #raptorsofinstagram #audubon #bestbirds #jordanlake

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Photos and video captured with my mighty Canon 5DS. If you are interested in getting shots like these with this 50 MP beast of a camera, please check out the link below to Canon USA.

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Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Jordan lake Osprey breakfast

While birding at Jordan Lake in Apex North Carolina, an Osprey flew in and landed in a tree right next to me.
Fish in claw, he proceed to eat his catch with no concerns about my presence.

A common sight along many of North Carolina’s lakes and rivers, Ospreys are sometimes known as “Fish Hawks”. This is because they are superb hunters of all that swims below the surface.

Built for success, they have elongated wings for diving, long legs, sharp talons for grasping prey and keen eyesight to spot fish from a great distance while hovering.
I had watched this bird make two failed attempts before he arose from the water with a fish in hand (foot).
It was pretty cool to see him up close when he came in for a landing!

Photo by @sally_siko
Canon 5Ds

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Up close with an Osprey at Jordan Lake

While sitting on the shoreline of Jordan Lake yesterday, an Osprey flew in. He landed in a tree right next to me and ate his breakfast!
Yah, it’s kinda gross to watch but it was interesting to see up close.

The Osprey dines exclusively on live fish. They capture their meals by hovering over the water at an altitude of up to 200 feet, then dive feetfirst into the water to catch their prey.
Osprey talons are uniquely adapted to the art of fishing from the air.” Each foot has a reversible front toe, as well as barbs (called spicules), which help it hold onto a slippery fish when flying or eating.
I’m sure that feature came in handy as the fish here was flipping around while the Osprey was ripping it apart.

Video by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Instagram Birding

Watching Ospreys at jordan lake park, new hill n.C.

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Early in the morning and I’m out at Jordan Lake watching Ospreys hunting for fish. These raptors are impressive to observe in predator mode. They will soar above the water until they spy their prey, hover for a second or two and then dive straight down like an arrow into the water. Much of the time they appear to be successful, like this one which flew right over my head with a fish in his talons as I stood on top of the dam. 🌿 I’ve noticed that most other hawks and falcons appear to have their talons arranged in a static pattern: three in the front, and one angled towards the back. But ospreys, have a unique configuration that lets them slide their toes back and forth, so they can create a two-and-two configuration. This helps them more firmly grip a slippery fish as they fly through the air. It also seems like they frequently turn the fish to a position parallel to their flying direction, for aerodynamic purposes. Photo by @sally_siko . . . . #birdnerd #birdsofinsta #birdsofinstagram #ncwildlife #birding #birdwatching #Birdbehavior #bird #birds #yatesmillpark #ncbirding #ncbirds #ncbirdwatching #canon #canon5ds #purplemartins #birdsofeasternunitedstates #eastcoastbirds #eastcoastbirding #hiking #nchiking #ncoutdoors #ncnature #silvercordeventphotography #silvercordphotodaily #ncwildlifephotographer #naturelovers #birdwatchingnc #northcarolinabirds

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