High Drama over the Lagoon

Sometimes when I make an observation and document the event with photos, the distance is so far even with a 400mm lens,  the quality of the photos is poor but, I am hoping you might still enjoy looking at the high drama that took place over the San Elijo Lagoon ...

I have been spotting as many as four Ospreys visiting the lagoon at one time in the last week, the resident male has become more territorial and also has been seen flying with a young female ... but today there appears to be a showdown between the Red-tailed Hawk that entered the lagoon and the resident Osprey. This is the first time I have witnessed an Osprey going after another raptor at the lagoon. There was no food involved in this dispute, it appeared to be a show of dominance by the Osprey and he made his point very clear...

A fast approaching Osprey intercepts a Red-tailed Hawk flying into the San Elijo Lagoon from the East, right over the visitor center, and proceeded to fly aggressively at the RTH. A show of talons and multiple strafing/swooping maneuvers are made by the Osprey... 

In this photo, the Osprey comes in fast with talons down. The RTH counters with its defensive maneuver...

The Red-tailed Hawk's defensive action is very powerful and his whole body goes into a cartwheel to bring himself upright to get in position for another attack by the Osprey.

Flying past to circle back, the Osprey is making a statement. The Red-tailed Hawk has righted himself and readies with talons down for another attack. 

The Osprey swoops past the Red-tailed Hawk and the hawk again goes into his defensive maneuver as shown in this photo.  This happened over half a dozen times as the Osprey circled and swooped at his target. The Red-tailed Hawk was definitely on the defensive!

  

The Osprey is setting up for another charge. The Red-tailed Hawk hurries to re-position himself for the oncoming attack. The Red-tailed Hawk flies West, he wants out of the open area where the Osprey has the upper hand.

More show of force by the Osprey...Now they are having some words... Osprey is calling out his warning calls, talons down, very intimidating stance.  RTH has talons and beak ready to defend.

The battle moves west to the "pole trail" on Rios and the Red-tailed dives for cover to hide on the Tee bracing of the telephone pole protected by utility wires.This photo shows the Osprey once more in this "warning stance"... again the RTH goes into his defensive posture with his "talons out" but soon after this photo was taken, the RTH flies for the cover of the utility wires.

A few more swooping at the RTH perched on the pole's Tee bracing and the Osprey appears to do a Victory Flight...(as only the unique Ospreys can) The "set up".....

Very impressive Dive

steps on the gas...

building more speed...

perfect form...

Goes into a full dive and pulls up at the last minute and flies away... and Ladies and Gentlemen, that's how it's done!

Suddenly a shadow passes and my attention is directed straight up above me. There is a pair of Osprey eyes looking down at me. Her body blocking the sun.  Pointing the camera straight up while keeping myself from falling backwards, I managed to get a shot. Lol,  if I was a fish I would worry. This female must have been nearby watching the High Drama over the Lagoon...

She glides by and there is a sense of calm over the lagoon again. It's time to head for home...

Have a lovely day everyone...