The Wonderful Ospreys of Del Mar, Part 1

This is Part 1 of "Wonderful Ospreys of Del Mar". I will show the adult male Osprey of Del Mar just as he catches a huge Yellowfin Croaker. We see him expertly gain control as the fish is fresh and full of fight. The fish has been caught with both of his talons to its head. The Osprey re-positions the fish to carry it securely to fly over the San Diego Freeway to head towards the Osprey's nest area. Wow, what a exciting way to start the morning walk!

My morning started meeting up with out of town friends to do some birding. We decided to check out the Osprey nest at Del Mar. Starting at south end of San Andres Drive, we followed the Coast to Crest Trail by the San Dieguito River Park towards the Osprey nest located across the street from the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I was about 300 feet from the underpass of the San Diego Freeway that leads to the Osprey nest when I spotted an Osprey far off to the east of my location. I estimate the Osprey was over a half mile away directly over the San Dieguito river. He circled a few times and then dove down into the water creating a huge splash. I stood watching and wondering if he'd caught his fish. All of a sudden, he surfaced from the water and showed us a huge fish! 

I scrambled to get a shot of the Osprey as his fish cleared the water's surface. I decided that I needed to be about 200 ft closer to get an angle shot of the Osprey carrying the huge fish. He was going to head towards his nest and would probably go over the freeway close to where the underpass is located. That would be the most direct flight path to the nest. I had to run as fast as I could to position myself for these shots below. LOL, I don't know how I did it but I made it just in time as the Osprey headed straight towards me. What an exciting sight to watch this wonderful Osprey's fly-by with a huge struggling fish over our heads! My first shot of the Osprey as he and his fish clear the water! He was so very far away but even from that distance, you can see how big this fish was.

My 400mm lens maxed out; I find the Osprey flying low with a very angry, fighting fish.

As the Osprey makes adjustments to his flight path, we get to see the full size of this fish compared with the adult male Osprey . Osprey, Pandion haliaetus measures 23 inches long with a wingspan of 63 inches.

The Osprey shakes like a dog after a bath. He eliminates all of the excess weight of the water.

As he shakes off the water from his body, the fish goes into a wild struggle to get free. This photo also shows where the Osprey has placed his talons when the fish was snagged.

As the Osprey flies forward and straightens himself, you can see a puff of white smoke-like blur behind him. That is all the water still in the air.

Now, he is planning to reposition the fish for a more secure carry back to the nest area.

He uses his powerful wings to get more height.

The fish struggles below.

Look at those powerful wings. These birds are amazing! He is getting speed and height for the re-positioning of his prey.

The fish is still very active and thrashes, twisting and turning below.

He has got the speed and height to change his grip.

The Osprey starts his release of the talons of his left foot. Notice the outline of the fish and his fin placement. The catch of the day appears to be a Yellowfin Croaker: https://www.pierfishing.com/yellowfin-croaker/

He knows exactly what to do to get the fish secured for the flight home.

He banks to his right and brings the fish into perfect position.

He swoops...

He loosens the grip of his left talons but has a secure hold with his right.

The fish is still very alive and thrashes about.

The Osprey works his powerful wings to get further up in the air. He appears to have only his right talons holding on to the fish. His left leg is free of the fish and ready to grab where needed.

There, now he has the height and his left leg stretches out and down to grab his fish.

A quick pull up with his right leg and the fish is in perfect position for the grab with his left talons. Success!

His powerful wings keeps working hard and with his talons locked in place he is now ready to head towards the nest.

Cupping the air with his powerful wings, he gains the height that he will need to clear the freeway.

The fish is thrashing wildly but the Osprey has his talons locked in and he stays the course.

This shot really shows the fish struggling to get free. This bird has years of experience at catching large fish and knows exactly how to handle this thrashing catch of the day!

His wings are stretched to the maximum. He pumps to get more height.

I guessed right, he is going to come close over me with the fish!

Here he comes... He can see the nest as he powers his huge wings to get more height.

He is looking around to make sure there are no threats from other birds of prey. He is on a constant lookout for dangers.

Looking over his flight path for any sign of danger as he approaches . He is not bothered by my camera. He is used to many photographers taking pictures of him and his family. This Osprey couple has been here in Del Mar for many years now and are quite comfortable with birders, joggers, and even the fair visitors.

Eye-to-eye as he approaches. It's almost as though he shows off his catch of the day. I say, "Good job, dad!"

Pure concentration and amazing to see.

Close-up.

See the flight muscle of his shoulder. He shows us his strength as he approaches. He is picking up speed and height.

An awesome sight of a super fisherman!

Close-up.

Wow, seeing something like this is pure joy to your senses.

He pumps his beautiful wings harder and harder to get more height as the fish is still struggling below.

What words can you use to describe this beautiful Osprey? Fantastic, amazing, and wonderful would be some that come to my mind.

Now he has enough height to fly over the freeway.

Close-up

Always looking for dangers.

Good height.

Starting to go over with plenty of height.

Close-up

Makes a slight bank to the right. Probably better to pick up the wind to help keep his altitude.

Close-up

Wish the shots were not so grainy but it was an overcast morning and the lighting was almost straight overhead. That means the fish was in the shadow of the Osprey.

Getting plenty of lift for the flight over the freeway.

This has been a fantastic sight to watch as he flies towards his nest area.

Higher he goes.

Close-up of the fish.

The Osprey carries his fish in pure perfect position. See how the fish is placed head first and it is aligned with the body of the Osprey. It is aerodynamically efficient for flight in this position.

As he flies off and I can no longer see him due to the freeway blocking my view, I start my jog through the freeway underpass to the nest area which I will be showing you in Part 2 of "The Wonderful Ospreys of Del Mar." Please check back to see what happens next.

Have a wonderful week everyone and stay cool!