The amazing Osprey. The greatest of fishermen. Caught here searching for prey over Poole Harbour amongst the clouds.
We are blessed here with not only summer residents but also we are a stop over for others passing through who summer further north.
This is one such passer through in late summer, looking for supper before heading out across the sea to winter in west Africa.
I love photographing birds in their environment. Giving significance to both, rather than isolating the bird or doing landscapes without life.
I find these rather dreamy with the soft summer sky, peaceful colours and the bird of prey sailing around amongst the puffy white clouds.
I used a 300mm lens. Hand held, so the image stabiliser within the lens helped. A low ISO on the trusty 5dii gave nice colours.
In 2022 we had the first breeding pair of Osprey on the south coast in nearly 200 years. CJ7 and 022 are now on their fourth brood in as many years.
CJ7 fledged in Rutland in 2015, 022 was translocated here in 2019 from Scotland. They have had thirteen chicks together to date, impressive.
One of the first chicks, 5H1, excitingly returned to the UK in 2024 (it’s sibling 5H2 was predated by a Goshawk – an equally magnificant birds).
Ospreys put those of us who love to fish to shame with their fishing abilities.
They survive purely on a fresh fish diet, no scavenging here.
What wonderful birds.
To see the Poole Harbour Ospreys nesting in the summer visit Birds of Poole Harbour webcam.
Please visit my online gallery and shop for more ‘wilds’: simontomkinson.com
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