Too Close
One of the standard wildlife photographer laments is that the subjects just are not close enough. I myself have been in that situation many times where I wish I could move in closer, I wish the animal would come in closer, or I wish I had a much longer lens.
However that was not the case yesterday afternoon when seemingly out of nowhere an osprey with a fresh caught fish came suddenly swooping in right over my head. The only problem for me was that he was too close! As you can see I clipped the wings off of the osprey with my camera lens as I was taking the overhead flight shots.
I suppose I can’t complain too much though, at least I did get an up close and personal view of a very cool bird!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Yeah, a shame about the wing tips, but still pretty cool to see this Osprey so close with a fresh catch.
I’m always happy to have an opportunity to see birds like this not just in action but up close. I just have to look at the photos a bit differently later.
This has always been one of my all time favorite osprey shots and it’s another close deal. Thanks for looking Steve.
https://phillanoue.com/osprey-photos/#jp-carousel-400
That is a great look too, Phil. Very intimate and intense.
Thanks Steve and despite there being no fish in that shot we got a good look at his feet! 🙂
I definitely wouldn’t complain if I were you!!! 😀
I really can’t complain. I mean, I still will, but probably shouldn’t. 🙂
😉 (Honestly, I probably would, too!)
I think it’s a photographer thing. 😉
Great shots close or not, but I know the feeling 😦
Sometimes everything works perfectly, other times not so much.
Glad you liked these!
This absolutely beautiful, sometimes we sacrifice full image for a close up, these shots are awesome 🙂
In a case like this I think I’ll take the close up over missing the whole deal entirely. 🙂
Thanks so much I’m happy you enjoyed these osprey shots!
They are wonderful 🙂 you are most welcome 🙂
It must have been impressive to see the osprey flying so close carrying his fish catch of the day.
When I saw the osprey in the first photo, I immediately wonderedg if he was considering dropping the fish on your head—just for fun. 🙂
It was a terrific experience to have this amazing bird fly right over me with it’s catch!
I was happy however that it chose not to ‘bomb’ me with a yucky, bloody fish. 😯 🙂
I would not complain too much…..the eye,beak and feather detail are great ..fish too…but I know you want it all.
….natural really. Enjoyed the images.
Yes I pretty much do want it all, I think it’s a photographer thing. 🙂 But since we all know that nature is rarely concerned with our photos we just continue on as best we can. 🙂 Glad you liked these photos!
I suppose it is for the best..what would happen if we so easily captured the perfect image, one that could never be bettered? I think we continue because we want to better ourselves. The challenge isn’t always outdoing the other photographer; its the challenge of securing a vision we might have. Not to discount serendipitous capturing of something great we did not imagine as that gets us out another day too.
May 2014 be filled with fulfilled vision AND surprises only mother nature can deliver to your waiting lens!!
Absolutely brilliant captures, Phil!. The Osprey looks really triumphant, but the poor fishy certainly isn’t a happy camper. 😦
Well I mostly spared you having to get a close up view of a sad little fishy face in this series Sylvia. Instead you got a close look at the osprey’s face which I suspect is somewhat more enjoyable. 🙂
Yes, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. 🙂
Awesome, loved the action shots you captured, detail is superb.
Glad you enjoyed these Charlie!
What the WHAT?! Look at that! He almost fed you a fish. I guess he decided he would keep it and let you and your big gun-looking thing starve. This is amazing! I think a good and close shot was just what you needed that day. 🙂
I was happy he decided to keep his fish and not drop a yucky, bloody fish on my head. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed these osprey close ups!
Impressionante, sono senza parole da tanto sono belle queste tue foto. Sei eccezionale!!
Ciao, Pat
Sono molto felice ti è piaciuto queste foto del falco pescatore
Grazie Pat
Some you win, some you lose. You lost the wingtips – but the detail! Just stunning, Phil!
Thanks so much Maggie! I tend to get a bit greedy out there at times and want it all. I suspect that’s a photographer thing. 🙂
Glad you liked the shots!
Yep! A very cool bird! And some very cool shots! Things I dream of.:):)
Well I really appreciate the very kind comments Erv and glad you liked the osprey close ups!
Great pics
Thanks for checking ’em out.
I know just what you mean about the animals not being in the camera range I would prefer. I now have a way to bring the birds to me! I am going to try it on marsh birds next year. I should have thought of it sooner too. I pine for a longer lens but my pocketbook keeps that from happening. Your shots are wonderful and you were lucky to have the osprey fly right over your head. I had a Red-tail do that once, but I did not not have my camera set fast enough. I was yapping to a friend as the day grew darker, and in comes this hawk…
This happens a whole lot more often then people would think, I have a ton of especially flight shots with clipped wings because so much of the wildlife comes in close where we are. I see people come in with HUGE lenses and I know they will often be wishing they brought something a bit shorter, or at least bring a second camera along.
Talking is very often the cause of missing shots. 😉 🙂
Love those shots, Phil. The detail is so cool. You were definitely in the right place with a quick shutter finger! 🙂
This bird jumped me quick I can tell you. If I saw it sooner the results might be different but turns out I like the close ups. 🙂
That are really cool shots. Congrats.
I’m very happy you enjoyed them, thank you!
Nice shot Phil. From a bunch of posts I’ve seen this week it looks like it was a good time at HSP
It’s actually been a bit slow out there lately. I have often had to be content with just seeing cool stuff like an eagle battle, or baby alligators behind the reeds, and not get photos of it all.
Glad you liked these osprey photos.
I love this shot! He’s looking right at you! Then just goes on. Beautiful.
I wonder if he was thinking to himself as he approached in that first shot… “hey pal, check it out, pretty nice fish huh?” 😀
It was such a great capture — for both of you! 🙂
Wow, that first shot is just stunning, but all the shots are great!
I’ve enjoyed this flight and catch 😀