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Sunday 19 July 2015

It doesn't get any better than this......

Last weekend I will never forget, in particular Saturday afternoon.....why I hear you ask, well take a look at the images below and you will see why.............

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Ospreys are my all time absolute favourite bird, I have driven all over the country to watch them and photograph them, there is just something about this stunning bird that really gets to me. Every year they make the long migration from western Africa returning to the same nest and the same partner that they will have not seen all winter. On this return they have to reclaim their nest, fight off intruders looking for a territory and nest, wait for their partner to return, find a new one if they don't and then the whole breeding cycle begins. Watching these birds fish is an absolute thrill, see my last post. And then when they have raised their young, got them fledged, they migrate back to Africa late August to start all over again. Some Ospreys have been recorded are all still making that journey after 20+ years...just amazing.
Whilst I was up in Scotland last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit a private Estate in the Cairngorms that has a nesting pair of Ospreys. A nice big fresh trout is left out in the hope that the male will come down and feed. I cannot tell you what a thrill it was to be alone in a tiny hide 15 yards away from this stunning bird, sat watching it for twenty minutes happily feeding.... I am still working my way through the many photos I took, but periodically I just came away from the viewfinder to watch and marvel what was happening in front of me.


11 comments:

  1. Amazing opportunity, amazing results, amazing bird....Nothing more needs to be said Gary.

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  2. Truly beautiful, these sets of photos dedicated to the Osprey.
    Congrats,
    JR

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  3. Every one a winner Gary.
    Awesome pictures.

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  4. Hi Gary, not only this latest Osprey set but the others you have posted this year must be the finest collection of this species I have ever witnessed, nice work sir!

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  5. You`ve raised the bar even higher with these outstanding images Gary,the hairs on the back of your neck must have been stood to attention.Just brilliant.

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  6. I recall seeing my first ones at Loch Garten in 1976 (!). I've seen many more since and indeed they are common where I now live in Japan but I never get tired of seeing them. You have some fantastic pictures of them on this blog.

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  7. Gary. Ospreyitis just gets better and better !!! What a wonderful experience and yet more amazing images. I really am green with envy.

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  8. Hi Gary, truly amazing photos!
    We need you and your followers help us protect wildlife in Europe - the European Commission wants to review key nature laws (the Birds and Habitats Directives) which have played a fundamental part in increasing the number of conservation sites in Europe and saving at-risk bird, animal and plant species. Because of this we think the laws should stay as they are and not be undermined! We're asking as many people as possible to put their name to a public consultation (which closes this Friday) - more details here: http://www.tiny.cc/naturealert - so that the EU gets the message. All help greatly appreciated!

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  9. Beautiful crisp images - well done

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Thanks for dropping by, any comments you may have are greatly appreciated.
Gary