Coming In Fast And Low

Earlier this month I spotted this osprey on a rapid descent toward the salt marsh coming in just above the reeds.

These birds have a perfect aerodynamic body shape for their style of hunting.

24 thoughts on “Coming In Fast And Low”

anotherday2paradise on October 14, 2014 at 2:48 pm said:

As you say, Phil……perfect. Great capture. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on October 14, 2014 at 3:21 pm said:
  
  Thank you Sylvia, I was hoping it might be interesting to see a somewhat different view then the standard flying overhead look. Plus the sun looks good on his back. 🙂
  
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Linda on October 14, 2014 at 4:12 pm said:

Beautiful capture, thanks Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 14, 2014 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  I appreciate you checking it out, thanks Linda.
  
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Lyle Krahn on October 14, 2014 at 4:34 pm said:

I really like the view from the top. Catching his best side.

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- Phil Lanoue on October 14, 2014 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  I think he would approve of this view as presented here. Plus, they are not as fussy about such things as the alligators who can be tough to please.
  
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dinajohnston on October 14, 2014 at 5:17 pm said:

Nice detail on that flight shot!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 5:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks much! Glad you liked it!
  
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sallywoodphotography on October 14, 2014 at 5:48 pm said:

so cool that you had the bright background for part of the shot… really sets the bird off!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  I was happy with that background too. Better then the usual open blue sky (or worse, grey sky) I get more often.
  
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Birder's Journey on October 14, 2014 at 7:45 pm said:

Beautiful light and stunning detail!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 5:27 pm said:
  
  I appreciate the kind comments! Thanks!
  
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Sandra dieLimburgse on October 15, 2014 at 5:30 am said:

Wow, fantastic …. I wish I was there

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 5:28 pm said:
  
  I wish you were there too. It was a fun afternoon, There were five or six of these guys flying around. Thanks for looking!
  
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foxleylady on October 15, 2014 at 6:24 am said:

Graceful, elegant AND beautiful! Such a lovely shot, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 5:29 pm said:
  
  They are very sharp birds Maggie and fun to see in a setting other then open sky.
  
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The Lite Rider on October 15, 2014 at 4:15 pm said:

Beautifiul streamlined flight. I love the colors that the light accentuates on his back! Every detail shows. Great focused expression. I wouldn’t want to be his snack!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 5:30 pm said:
  
  I wouldn’t want to be a fish and have that thing looking down at me as it’s coming to catch and eat me! 😮
  There were nice colors that day.
  
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babsje on October 15, 2014 at 7:53 pm said:

Great focus, Phil – both the intensity of the Osprey’s stare and your lens-work!

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- Phil Lanoue on October 15, 2014 at 8:28 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, glad you liked seeing this fast flying osprey!
  
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  - babsje on October 15, 2014 at 8:33 pm said:
    
    You’re welcome! They’re spectacular birds. Granted, they’re no Great Blue Herons, of course, but up there in the top five birds for me,
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on October 17, 2014 at 12:00 pm said:
      
      Well they can’t all be the one and only GBH! 🙂
      
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Scott Marshall on October 17, 2014 at 3:52 pm said:

stunning with a capital S

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Paula on October 19, 2014 at 4:20 pm said:

How beautifully it stands on that perfectly lit golden background. Gorgeous bokeh and a fantastic bird!

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