Tag Archives: Osprey

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Ospreys usually migrate to points south around the first week of autumn. And the vast majority have. But here comes a lone Osprey last week, hunting fish at the Gualala River. Eric Zetterholm was there with his camera.

Looks like the Osprey may have spotted a fish in this second photo.

Ospreys are a rare sighting in the Winter here. But I've been told an occasional Osprey has overwintered here on the Mendonoma Coast in the past. We'll be keeping watch to see if this Osprey is seen again.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

We are having a sunny day with many high clouds overhead. It's the calm before the storms - we have a series of storms predicted to arrive beginning tomorrow, Friday.

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I love it when Mike Reinhart is out and about with camera in hand. He's a pro at photographing birds. He found perhaps the first returning Say's Phoebe recently, perched on a bush (coyote bush?)  in a meadow at The Sea Ranch.

The Peregrine falcon was soaring through the air, always a thrilling sight.

And this Osprey coming in for a landing was seen at Mill Bend, the mouth of the Gualala River. Ospreys will be leaving us soon, unless one or two decide to overwinter here. The vast majority will migrate south for the winter, returning to the Mendonoma Coast around the first day of spring.

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Lisa Walker-Roseman was up at MacKerricher State Park when she had an aerial show. She wrote, “I was standing on Ten Mile Beach, watching the Pelicans and Gulls as they alternately fed on fish and returned to shore to rest. A woman and little girl were walking along the shore, the little girl chasing the birds, when my friend Shannon, who is volunteering with State Parks for the "Share the Beach" program, went over to speak to them about chasing the birds. Then I saw a flash of white and dark brown and knew I was seeing a Bald Eagle. So, I reached for my camera with its 800mm lens and started shooting the drama that unfolded in front of me"

"The eagle was chasing the Osprey, trying to get it to drop its prize - what appeared to be a Salmon."

"After about ten minutes (!), the Osprey dropped its catch into the surf"

"The eagle did dive down to try and grab it, but was left empty-taloned. After a few circles above where the fish fell, the eagle, panting, flew off over the dunes and towards Ten Mile River, defeated."

The Osprey returned and caught a fish.”

Lisa's photos and commentary tell quite a story! I thank her for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see much more of Lisa's nature photos, here is the link to her Facebook account, Feather's Fotos: https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByFeather/

Another lovely day with mild temps and no wind. Just about perfect here on the Mendonoma Coast!

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Mike Reinhart wondered if this Osprey was diving for a fish.

But it turns out the water was very shallow there, so perhaps the Osprey just wanted to wade, according to Mike.

And that started the neighbors, a pair of Western Gulls, to talking!

Thanks to Mike for a fun series of photos.

It's a mixed weather bag today. Sunny early, then rain showers, then sun. And it's cool here! I know, I know...cool for the Mendonoma Coast.

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Eric Zetterholm photographed one of the first returning Ospreys a few weeks ago. Ospreys usually return from their overwintering sites around the first day of Spring - this year some were early. Eric found this Osprey with its catch, a tasty fish.

I am fortunate to be able to watch an Osprey nest through a scope. The pair has used this nest for well over ten years. The male returns first, followed soon thereafter by his mate. She immediately gets to work on reinforcing the nest. Some winters the nest is destroyed by winter storms, but it looked in good shape when the Ospreys returned this year. They are now mating and she will soon be sitting on eggs. Her mate will fish for both of them.

Ospreys have a high-pitched, whistling call that you can listen to at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/sounds

The Mendonoma Coast has everything the Ospreys need to thrive: tall trees for their nests and lots of fish in rivers and the Pacific Ocean. Welcome back, Ospreys!

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

It's sunny today, with high clouds drifting through, and quite a bit of wind. No need to worry about brushing your hair today!