Osprey crash landing

While out walking this morning, two Ospreys flying around over the Pitt River caught my attention.  Spencer was gracious enough to wait patiently while I tried to snap a few photos of them.  The sequence that follows unfolded in only a minute, though it seemed much longer than that, as I watched one Osprey struggling for its life.

A pair of Ospreys flying above the Pitt River. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO400
A pair of Ospreys flying above the Pitt River.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO400
The one on the right is getting dangerously close to the water.
The one on the right is getting dangerously close to the water.
With a big splash, one of the ospreys end up in the river.
With a big splash, one of the ospreys ends up in the river.
While the osprey struggles in the water, its parent (or partner) circles above.
While the osprey struggles in the water, its parent (or partner) circles above.
Swooping around to assess the situation.
Swooping around to assess the situation.
It has managed to get its wings out of the water, but still no luck in getting airborne.
It has managed to get its wings out of the water, but still no luck in getting airborne.
After circling again and again, an attempt is made to lift the osprey out of the water, but that doesn't work.
After circling again and again, an attempt is made to lift the osprey out of the water, but that doesn’t work.  I’m not even certain if contact was actually made.
The osprey has managed to get its wings partially out of the water again, while its partner circles above.
The waterlogged osprey has managed to get its wings partially out of the water again, while the other circles above.
The ospreys' wings are finally nearly clear of the water.
The ospreys’ wings are nearly clear of the water.
Finally, the osprey manages to free itself from the water, and take to the air again.
Finally, the osprey manages to free itself from the water, and takes to the air again.
Heading back to the safety of the nest to recuperate!
Heading back to the safety of the nest to recuperate!

The photos are a bit fuzzy, but I was so much more concerned with taking in what was happening (and rooting for the poor osprey each time it sunk lower into the water and struggled to keep its head up).  I’m so glad I got to see a happy ending today.

 

0 Replies to “Osprey crash landing”

  1. Fabulous capture and wonderful event to watch! I have loved your blog from the beginning!! I would love to share how you have inspired me to move forward with my photography. I found your name from your Londolozi blog post. I felt like kindred spirits b/c I was TOTALLY satisfied with seeing impalas all day too and delighted when more of nature showed up!! Thank goodness for web searches b/c it led me to your blog, I signed up for your blog posts. They were so inspiring!! I stated my own blog in Oct 2013. I then began selling my work on FineArtAmerica. And today I took some of my photos to be in a local store Great Cat Art Exhibit. I thought the art would only be on display on Sunday from 4.30-6 and now they said they will display all month! Exciting and scary all at the same time. When I dropped off the photos, I received this blog post in my email, ironic, as I have wanted to email you several times to let you know how you inspired me and had no idea!!
    THANK YOU Jennifer for sharing your photographs and talent with the world! You TRULY inspired someone…and you did not even know it…until today! Feel free to email me – it’s be fun to “talk photos”:).
    Thanks again! Namaste!

    1. Thank you so very much. Your comments mean so much, I’m very taken aback and don’t even know what to say except thank you, you have definitely made my day today. I’m on the road at the moment but will definitely email you as I would love to chat more. Congratulations on you exhibit – I will definitely be checking out your blog 🙂 Have a wonderful day. Jen

    2. Hi Christy – I’m not sure of your email address, would you be able to send me that and your blog address? I’ve just added a contact form under the “about me” page. Thanks! 🙂

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