Hunting Osprey

[Uncle Jesse]

Pretty impressive how the ?weapons bay doors? open up in the dive, and the use of ground effect after a big hit.

This Osprey got 5-6 fish at a time, then got a flounder under 3' of water, and then made off with what looks to be a 5+ lb. steelhead.

I've never seen a bird shake water off like a dog does ... There are 3 sequences in this one video:

1^st ... he catches half a dozen fish in one strike.

2^nd ... he plunges into deep water right to the bottom to grab his prey.

3^rd ... he captures a big old fat fish that looks as if it weighs more than he does!

Click here -http://www.youtube.com/embed/nA3LtXn...layer_embedded

[bobbyg]

That is awesome Jesse! Thanks for posting.

The osprey's fishing skill is almost matched by the great photography. It is stunning!

[Kaboom1]

Way cool! I liked the 3rd one. When he gets both feet attached, it looks like he is riding a surfboard!

Thanks for posting Jessie...made my day!

Brad

[rayhill190]

Looks like me fishing lol.Photography is out of this world.How did he set up the flounder catch?

[Uncle Jesse]

How did he set up the flounder catch?

He set it up very well. I wondered about that also. Having produce a training video where I did the photography and helped with the editing, I know what you see is not necessary exactly what happened in sequence. I have to believe there was a lot of observing before the shooting began. I thought it was cool how the osprey turned the steelhead with its feet to have less air resistance.

BTW, the first line was from one of my good friends who was a ole Navy aircraft maintenance mechanic back in his service days.

[Linecaster]

Excellent timing, wonderful photography. Stunning, how can we deny that there is a creator God when you see how perfectly executed that approach, the dive, the talons open up and the take off and flight afterwards. Beautiful. Thanks for posting.

[NewTyer 1]

Where I grew up in Massachusetts, the Osprey made a tremendous comeback since the polution of the 70-80 almost killed them off with Mercury. I watched one, one day, he had dove down to catch what I thought was a fish. He could not lift himself from the water but, from where I was sitting, I could see what appeared to be an orange breadbag around it's talons. Well, come to find out, it was a goldfish around 6lbs. After a tremendous effort on the Ospreys part, it was finally able to shake enough water off to get 4'-5' off the ground and get ontop of a tractor/trailer. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.