I read all the post about the herons and I also disagree with the killing of the birds when they are doing what they were put on earth to do. I also feel like man made ponds are baiting the birds. I have no clear cut answer other than to say that I agree with some that think if you put the fish in a place of harm then you need to protect them with out killing the birds.
This picture is how I shoot birds since I gave up hunting back in the 80’s. Why did I give up hunting because there were too many people moving into my hunting grounds. The places where I use to hunt are now filled with condos. The swamps where I learned about nature have been drained and condos now sit on them. Sometimes I want to go back to my hunting days and shoot the condos. But nothing that drastic. One of the days I will move from the great state that used to be and leave Florida behind.
I hope you like my idea of shooting ospreys.
Next on my list are the bald eagles.
I also think I need to take Gil and Roberts pictures they may be the last of the true Floridians. I have already shot the Flats Dude.
Harold,
Neat picture. Thanks for sharing it.
I bet that when you are ready to go condo hunting, you could probably come up with a few volunteers to go with you. The current population definately needs to be thinned out.
CJ
The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves.
I hope you did not try the solution at the end of your article. It is clear that they do not live in the water and therefore would not be of any use to the Scienterrific Angler.
Thank you very much for the picture. I see them frequently here, and every time I see them I admire their beauty. Too bad none of my pics of ospreys turn out that well LOL.
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
[This message has been edited by MarkKillam (edited 18 May 2006).]
Harold
the pic is great and as for condo huntin everybody is wrong ya don’t shot them ya use DYNOMITE that way the ones close to the water become fish holding STRUCTURE. So count me in I got just the ticket.
Dennis
Harold, you’re welcome in Montana anytime you’re ready to move .I also used to be an avid hunter and gave it up because the area I grew up hunting in became over run with houses.don’t get me wrong there are still incredible hunting opportunities here both on private and public lands but when you lose your favorites it kind of changes the game.
Harold, Great picture of a grand bird. I enjoy watching the Ospreys, Eagles, and Herons in our area.
J.C. How did you account for aerodynamic drag on a semi-solid, partial liquid projectile? Was the falling object in a “Maximum Slick” extremely low aerodynamic drag flight profile?
Eric “nighthawk”
American veteran and proud of it!
[This message has been edited by nighthawk (edited 19 May 2006).]
Harold;
Do Osprey, like many birds, mate for life?
I know that many birds do and find that fasinating. I believe that it’s the one’s that cannot be told apart. Correct me if I’m wrong.
When I see an odd number of morning doves in my feeder it’s a sad feeling to know one of them has lost a mate.
this is a little off, but the thing about shooting the herrings, there is no need, all you have to do to keep them out of your pond is to make a replica of the male herring, and put it next to your pond. not only does it look good, it makes the other herrings stay out.
From what I understand not only do they mate for life but they will also use the same nest for years adding to the nest each year. They lay between 2 and 4 eggs and the eggs do not hatch at the same time. I think they hatch around 4 or 5 days apart with the first born being dominate.
I got to play with the d200 nikon, my gripe with the nikon vs my minoltas is that each lens has the anti shake making the lens cost around 1500.00 same kind of lens for minolta is less than 600.00
I love the d7 and it has made some wonderful shots. The nikon was a little smoother. Both cameras are about the same weight. I talked to the people at Sony about buying out Minolta and they promised me parts and lens would be available for years.
The Minoltas are really coming down in price since the buy out. I might be able to afford another body before long… <grin>
When you get the nikon come on down and we will hunt the mighty 18’ gator We can use D. Micus for a beater.
Harold you will no doubt be pleased to know that instead of landing a 12 inch rainbow yesterday (boring) I elected to have an osprey swoop out of the sky scare the living hell out of me. Claining his god given right to a fishy snack. The up-side was I was able to give the new stent in my heart a complete workout. What a rush. The bird came in from slightly behind me over my left shoulder and splashed down onto the fish , breaking it free from the hook . I checked in disbelief but the hook was still on the leader. I tell you that is way more fun than just landing the trout would have been. Better still my partner and I were out on the same lake about and hour later when we observed a family of 5 otters playing near our boat. I have never seen more than one at a time before . Its too late now but next trip my camera will be aboard just in case . Thanks for the pic
I had a snake in the boat in the middle of the lake. (I won he lost)
I had a beaver sneak up behind me and slap his tail on the water.
I had a gator on the rod.
I had an 18 foot gator chase me on the water.
My heart is the strongest thing about me. I wonder if it is because I fish… We might have stumbled on the newest cure for heart ailments. FISHING!
I’ll bet that osprey was laughing at you cause he could unhook the fish. And I’ll bet you did not even get to “play the osprey”
They truly are something to watch. I sometimes just sit there and watch nature around me. I miss my old Florida so much sometimes. There are very few places around her to enjoy that anymore.
Dude let’s make them all go some place else.
Harold
PS… Cameras are great for catching the birds and such, but remember the camera strap. The shock of what is happening around me sometimes makes me very happy I buckle the camera up first.
I’ve shot my share of Heron’s too. Here’s one I shot this past February. Maybe the killer up north should try and find some of these particular Heron’s. Look closely, this Great Blue Heron attacked, killed and ate a little Night Heron.
I also shoot Kites and got 2 with one shot once.
I used to work for Beretta firearms so I got to be a pretty good shot. Here is where I got a dozen in one shot
Shot some of these crazy lawn ornaments while chasing Bonefish one day
Yup, now that’s my kind of shooting. Now of course at the right time of year when a Pheasant flushes out in front of me I’ve been known to do a different kind of shooting, like the guy north of the border does.
Killing protected birds to protect your fish is disgusting though. We have birds that “steal” fish from our ponds but that’s part of life. We have no right to kill them.
Some folks just have no respect and care about nothing but the almighty dollar. When in business you need to factor in ALL costs and price your product accordingly. If you suffer from shrinkage (shoplifting/stealing) then you need to factor that expense into your cost, not shoot and kill the shoplifter (who has every right to “steal” the product).
I’m stepping off my soap box now and going to charge my camera batteries : )
Jeff - AKA Dr. Fish
If it has fins and swims than I must chase it!
[This message has been edited by Dr. Fish (edited 25 May 2006).]
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