An Osprey at the Lake

This Osprey was perched up in a tall Pine Tree on the far shoreline of the little Lake Paradise, across from Paradise Park in The Villages, FL.  I took the picture early Friday evening at about 5:30pm.  The Osprey was finishing its meal of a fish and after a few minutes, the majestic bird of prey flew off to other adventures!

Osprey, or Sea Eagles, and Sea Hawks as they are sometimes known, are keen hunters of fish, frogs, and the occasional small bird, baby alligator, duckling, gosling, or snake.  The Osprey live near bodies of water such as the oceans, lakes or rivers.  They prefer fish over most of the other foods I have mentioned.  They fish by snatching their prey with their sharp thick talon claws and then they fly up to a tree or tall post and eat.  These birds are found all over the United States.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

A Cedar Key Osprey

I watched this Osprey (also known as a Sea Hawk) fly up to the top of an electric pole at Cedar Key, with a fish in its talons.  The Osprey then began to eat its meal.  While taking these pictures, I was standing in a parking lot pretty close to the pole where the bird was perched.

The Osprey was concentrating on eating and was not worried about the presence of people very much.  I took these pictures on November 15, 2014 at the marina area near the fire station, on Cedar Key, Florida.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Osprey in Florida’s Dora Canal Area

These Osprey were spotted just above the pontoon boat that I was a passenger in while sailing along the Dora Canal in Central Florida near Lake Eustis.  These birds of prey are also known as Seahawks or Sea Eagles.  They are common birds along rivers, fresh and salt marshes and along the sea coasts.  Inland they also frequently live around larger lakes.  They hunt for fish, ducks, coots, turtles, very small alligators and sometimes rodents and small birds.

I was quite amazed to see these two birds up close.  Each was on a stout branch of trees overhanging the water of the canal.  Both were eating some sort of meal – clearly one ate a fish.  I also saw a few other Ospreys circling above the Dead River.  I think that some of the Osprey on the Dead River were hoping for a fine meal (gasp!) of Wood Duck duckling.  I took these pictures while out boating on April 25, 2014.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo.  Enjoy!