One of the highlights of my time in Dauphin Island was seeing my very first Osprey in the wild!
On the first morning of our trip, we were exploring the Audubon Trail and saw a large bird swooping in over our heads. It turned out to be an Osprey, landing in the treetops with a fresh fish grasped in its claws.
The photos are fuzzy, but I had to include them since they were my first time capturing this bird in a picture.
As the week went on, we saw more Osprey and learned their preferred perches, like the tops of pine trees…
…and the branches that overlooked the lake. Doesn’t the second picture below make him look a little like a Disney villain?
Between the shifting clouds and my shifting positions (picture me standing awkwardly on a bench on the end of the dock, bracing myself so as not to end up as gator bait!) the background began to improve.
My favorite photo is probably this one of him peering out over the water, patiently waiting for the right time to strike.
And finally, with nothing but bright blue sky behind him, doesn’t he look like majestic enough to crown him King of the Island!
I can see why Tiny over at Tiny Lessons Blog has fallen in love with these grand creatures; I am now totally smitten with them myself!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
beautiful!
🙂
The great fish hawk! Beautiful.
I thought it was an eagle at first…was so thrilled to see my first Osprey. 🙂
Wonderful pictures! I am so happy you got to experience these wonderful birds in the wild and follow them over a period of a few days. I fell in love with them immediately and glad you did too 🙂
It was such a treat!
great shout out to “tiny lessons blog” but I love your pictures ” just slightly biased”
Love ya. Dad
…yea…you might be just a bit biased… 😉
They are magnificent birds, aren’t they!? Here in South Africa they are very rare and any encounter with an osprey is very special indeed.
It was so much fun to see birds I don’t usually get to hang out with. 🙂
I have seen these birds flying in the sky at the lake but never up close! AMAZING photos as always, Kathy!!! 🌟😊👍📸
I was learning their routines, but I’m pretty sure the opposite was true too! I can pretty much hear them saying, “Well, the sun is rising, and here comes that lady with the camera to her favorite perch!”
Lol! 😄
Glad to hear you’ve seen your first osprey, Kathy! They are indeed majestic in my book. Great captures!
It was such a delight to spend a week with the Osprey hanging about!