Who’s Fish Is It Anyway?!
Yesterday afternoon I saw this osprey flying across the salt with a small fish he had just plucked out of the water. Almost instantly the osprey was jumped by a bald eagle that had been sitting in a nearby tree waiting for exactly this situation to present itself. The osprey really wanted his fish, he caught it, he assumed he owned it. So the osprey did everything it could to escape the marauding eagle. It began flying evasive maneuvers that would put any modern jet fighter to shame, but still the eagle kept up with him.
At one point the osprey appeared to be successful in shaking off the attacker, but that eagle was determined. It did one tight swoop back around and finally succeeded in getting the osprey to drop it’s prize. After grabbing up it’s plundered fish, the eagle took it into a nearby tree where by the time I made my way over the fish was down the hatch and gone.
It seems to me that the eagle could easily catch it’s own fish with likely half the effort it takes to chase around an osprey. But such is the nature of the bald eagle who is often quite happy to let another bird do the work, plus I think the eagle truly enjoys the thrill of the chase!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Superb series 😀
Thanks very much for looking and commenting!
Amazing timing!
I’m glad you liked these Dana, thanks!
Serious drama this day! That had to be awesome to witness.
It really was exciting to see and I was happy to get some photos anyway. Thanks for checking these out!
A thrilling chase ! Like chases in movies !
You captured the series of pictures wonderfully , Phil !
It is a series you can be proud of !!
Keep going !
utham
I greatly appreciate your kind words utham, thanks!
That was the most amazing set of shots, Phil! You have excelled yourself, if that was possible!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed these Maggie, thanks!
Wow wonderful series !
Thanks much I appreciate it!
THAT is awesome!
Thanks a million for checking them out!
Hmmmm… That answers the question of where Iceman and Maverick got their inspiration!
I think you are right about that! 🙂
Wow Phil, great shots! So neither bird wound up with the fish I take it?
Thanks very much Sue. The eagle did indeed end up with the fish.
Wow, what an amazing series of photos, Phil!! I learn so much from your blog about birds.
I’m very happy you enjoyed these photos Deb and that you like learning about the different birds!
Che dirti se non che sono spettacolari queste foto, wowwww e ancora wowwwwww 🙂
Ciaooo, Pat
Grazie Pat!
Excellent 🙂
Merci Jean-Paul! 🙂
Apart from the hunting instincts: the two are really artists of the skies! These are again very impressive photos, dear Phil!
Artists of the skies is an excellent description, thank you so much!
Just reinforces my opinion that the eagle is nothing but a bully and a freeloader. I’m cheering for the osprey.
Why work for a living when you can have somebody else do it for you? 😉
Wow, what an amazing sequence of photos, and what a chase!
Thanks very much Lee I was very happy to be there to see this!
The action is so cool! Reminds me of the old-time dogfights in WWII. Great captures of what happened. The eagle is a bigger predator. He can do what he wants.
It does remind me of air war dog fights for sure, but these two were better at it then most planes would be I think. They are nature’s fighter jets!
The eagle is kind of like the alligator out there…top of the food chain.
Ah yes…. what a bully, that eagle!
Yes he is because he knows he can get away with it!
Awesome captures of the chase! Amazing actions… Thank you so very much, Phil!!!
I really appreciate your very kind words Amy, thanks so much!
These photos are amazing! I never knew eagles were bullies! I’m just glad to know a bird fight didn’t erupt.
Eagle are more then happy to spend the day napping in the sun until someone comes by with a tasty treat. Sort of like alligators. And cats.
Who knew eagles, gators and cats were so alike?!
I know! Nature really is something isn’t it?! 😀
Great action/behavior series, Phil. I was thinking the same thing when I came across your comment that catching a fish himself would have been less effort…but you are right, not nearly as much fun for the eagle. Super!
I have to think that is part of it for the eagle Steve, they do it because they can. Top of the food chain birds and animals likely exhibit more of this type of behavior then we even realize.
Glad you liked these shots!
” Capture mostly action seems an understatement” WOW!!!
Well thanks very much I really appreciate that!
Thanks for acknowledging the lessor photographers too Phil , smiles :)))
I see lots of terrific images which I enjoy viewing from many of the photographers here on WP. 🙂
So do I : ))))
How on earth do you manage to keep up with them on your camera?
Brilliant shots as always.
I do my share of spinning around and getting dizzy trying to follow these guys. Plus they were flying so erratically. But I guess that’s the point for the osprey…fly as crazy as you can and maybe you can shake the eagle!
Thanks I’m glad you liked these shots!
Amazing! You must have been really focused. I think I would be too excited and made a mess of the shots.
I do find myself getting excited when scenes like this suddenly bust out and I normally do screw something up because it can be very tough to remain ‘focused’. 🙂
Great photos and story. You are right – it does seem like he could catch his own food with less effort.
Maybe Ben Franklin was right: America should have a different bird for our national symbol. Bald eagles are jerks.
“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.” – Ben Franklin
I have actually (gasp) seen bald eagles pluck their own fish from out of the marsh and it always did seem quicker and easier then going through so much effort with the chasing.
So again, I sometimes think they do stuff like this simply because they can.
Old Ben had a good point for sure.
Like two fighter jets locked on battle – what a fantastic sequence.
I bet fighter jet pilots *wish* they could pull some of the maneuvers these two can perform.
Glad you enjoyed these!
i am going to have swear here – bloody hell – best bird sequence i haven’t witnessed – the point where the osprey looses the fish is thrilling – outdone yourself Phill
Thanks a million Scott, really appreciate that. Swearing is OK too. 🙂
wow awesome captures, lovely series , well done !
I appreciate you looking and commenting and glad you liked these!
Really fabulous shots, Phil. That eagle looked as though he really meant business. What a bully! 😦
I’m very happy you liked these photos Sylvia! And yes that eagle really gives the ospreys a hard time.
A wonderful flight series!
Thanks very much!