Osprey Circle And Dive | Phil Lanoue Photography

Osprey Circle And Dive

This past week I was watching an osprey putting in a hard days work in the marsh pond. This is the typical behavior of a hunting osprey…it circles over an area until it spots something interesting in the water below. It then goes into a steep dive, hits the water, and hopefully comes up with a nice fish that it can take into a nearby tree.

Unfortunately the one part of the plan that often goes wrong is that part about catching a fish. It is a skillful and impressive technique that the osprey employs but… success is never guaranteed!

42 thoughts on “Osprey Circle And Dive”

Mike Powell on November 24, 2013 at 8:26 pm said:

I love the expression in the final photo–it looks like he is a little embarrassed by his lack of success. I think that he was hoping that nobody was watching.

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- Bill on November 24, 2013 at 9:55 pm said:
  
  I had the same thought. The eyes are very expressive in these shots. I like the look in the second one too. It seems to suggest, “Hey, look at that fish!”
  
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  - Lyle Krahn on November 25, 2013 at 4:13 pm said:
    
    I guess that makes three of us. That look in its eye was unmistakable. Fantastic shots.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:
      
      I mostly liked these because I got the back of the bird on the diving shot, not a view I usually see. I’m glad you liked the shots.
      
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  - Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:49 pm said:
    
    He looked quite purposeful at first then not much at the end.
    
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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  I believe you are right about that Mike, that’s how he looked to me as well.
  
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acuriousgal on November 24, 2013 at 8:33 pm said:

Loooooove

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks much!
  
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Gunta on November 24, 2013 at 9:14 pm said:

I agree with Mike… perhaps a touch of embarrassment, or maybe trying to stifle a cuss word?

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:
  
  I think both of those are entirely accurate.
  
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Shelley on November 25, 2013 at 3:21 am said:

Pity he doesn’t like vegetables. Looks like he gets his share of greenery.

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  Yes he picked up a bit of pond vegetation on that one dive.
  
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janmasyn on November 25, 2013 at 3:41 am said:

Great action shots again Phil, excellent work.

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Jan.
  
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Patrizia M. on November 25, 2013 at 4:24 am said:

Però le tue foto sono un gran successo. Sono fantastiche Phil!!!
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat!
  
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foxleylady on November 25, 2013 at 6:08 am said:

Fantastic action pictures, again, Phil! What can I see trailing from his foot?

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Maggie and looks like he picked up a bit of pond vegetation on that one dive.
  
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Erv on November 25, 2013 at 7:56 am said:

Never saw one dive in person Phil. We have them around the lake at work. But never around to see them dive. Thanks for sharing!

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:54 pm said:
  
  There are very cool to watch work the hunt Erv. Thank you for checking these out.
  
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jeannemeeks on November 25, 2013 at 8:30 am said:

Great action shots, Phil. I love when they dive and make a big splash.

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:
  
  I never quite knew how huge a splash they make until one hit the water abut 20 feet from me! BIG splash!
  
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thehappyhugger on November 25, 2013 at 9:33 am said:

Absolutely stunning!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:
  
  Well I’m very happy you liked these thanks much!
  
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Paula on November 25, 2013 at 11:37 am said:

Amazing shots, Phil. No matter how many birds you shoot and show us, there is always a different angle to be seen. It never repeats 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:56 pm said:
  
  Well I’m happy to hear you say you enjoy the various bird shots Paula. I always try to present different views of even similar activity, Keep things fresh. 🙂
  
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pixelspielerei on November 25, 2013 at 2:27 pm said:

Even without the desired success, I think it’s for the people very, very worth seeing! Your photos are showing that very impressive! ▲

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:57 pm said:
  
  I greatly appreciate your kind words thank you.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on November 25, 2013 at 5:18 pm said:

Poor, hungry guy! Hopefully he found something later in the day!

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- Phil Lanoue on November 25, 2013 at 6:57 pm said:
  
  With the way things have been going lately for the ospreys, if this guy did catch something later an eagle likely came by and took it from him.
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on November 26, 2013 at 11:31 am said:
    
    Who knew those beautiful eagles were such food bullies?!
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on November 26, 2013 at 5:07 pm said:
      
      Oh they can be plenty annoying!
      
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Eddie Two Hawks on November 26, 2013 at 11:54 am said:

exceptional, dramatic, stunning; great photos Phil!!

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- Phil Lanoue on November 26, 2013 at 5:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much I greatly appreciate your kind comments!
  
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Steve Schwartzman on November 26, 2013 at 7:17 pm said:

As always, you do an exceptional job with your action pictures.

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- Phil Lanoue on November 30, 2013 at 12:37 pm said:
  
  Well I greatly appreciate that Steve, thank you.
  
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niasunset on November 27, 2013 at 5:50 am said:

Great diving… he knows where to go… I am impressed so much. You did a great set again. Thank you, dear Phil, but I missed also your Mr.Alligator too 🙂 where is he? Love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on November 30, 2013 at 12:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you for looking at these photos Nia and I’m happy you like them!
  Our friend Mr. Alligator has been away sleeping as the weather got colder. I may catch a quick look at him every once in a while though. 🙂
  
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anotherday2paradise on November 28, 2013 at 12:20 am said:

Beautiful shots, Phil. Pity he didn’t catch anything after all that effort. 😦

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- Phil Lanoue on November 30, 2013 at 12:40 pm said:
  
  I feel bad for them when they put in all the effort and then get no fish but I feel worse for them when they get a fish and the eagle steals it. 😦
  
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Scott Marshall on November 28, 2013 at 5:25 pm said:

one does love Ospreys

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- Phil Lanoue on November 30, 2013 at 12:41 pm said:
  
  We have had more osprey sightings lately so I’ve had the pleasure to watch them work quite frequently which is entertaining for sure.
  
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