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, ISO400The one on the right is getting dangerously close to the water.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.Swooping around to assess the situation.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. I’m not even certain if contact was actually made.The waterlogged osprey has managed to get its wings partially out of the water again, while the other circles above.The ospreys’ wings are nearly clear of the water.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!
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.
A young elephant drinks from the Chobe River in Botswana, under the protective shadow of her mother. This little one had already lost her tail; whether it was missing at birth, or lost in an attack by a predator, only she knows. It was amazing to spend time watching elephants; the antics of the little ones in the river brought us so much joy. 1/1000sec, f5.6, ISO560
Along with the Southern Red Bishops, the Weavers kept me entertained and happily snapping away while they went about their business. The amount of bird life was fabulous when we were in Zambia and as well for our day trip into Botswana. Such an amazing variety of bird life, and such extraordinary colours and patterns on the feathers. I can’t want to return!
A group of weavers alongside the Zambezi River. One of them looks like it’s trying to climb the grass, rather than fly to a new spot! 1/4000sec, f5.6, ISO400I haven’t been able to figure out what type of weavers these are, but they were in abundance in the tall grasses next to my room at Royal Chundu. 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO200
Last April I was lucky enough to stay at the Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge, and just outside of my room there was a fabulous variety of birds to watch. I was fascinated by the red bishop; the male was quite a bully, scaring off any of birds that got too close to his territory. He was always easy to spot amongst the tall grasses with his brilliant red feathers. The females are much more subdued, but still very beautiful. To me they have a lovely, soft face and gentle eyes.
Female southern red bishop 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO200Male southern red bishop 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO200
This juvenile northern flicker stayed on the power line for what seemed to be a remarkably long time given how close I was (they always seem very skittish), but it spent most of the time looking in the opposite direction of me and my camera. This one hasn’t yet developed the distinct red streaks along the cheek. The previous week I saw 7 flickers at one time; how I wish I would have had my camera along for that! 1/500sec, f6.3, ISO100
I’d never before seen a heron perched on the top of the water depth marker near the dike pumping station, and I quickly got my camera out to snap a few photos. I really wasn’t pleased with the results though; the photos were far too soft for my liking. I did a quick conversion in Silver Efex Pro to see if there was any way to create an interesting image, and I’m actually quite pleased with the results. 1/500 sec, f6.3, ISO 100
