A crystal clear morning found Whisper and I starting our walk at 6:45. The sun was still low in the sky so the 52 degree temp was just about perfect for walking and casual birding.
Much more bird activity today compared to yesterday. Mostly a lot of Osprey action, though not much of that found its way onto my camera’s memory card. As usual the birds were keeping themselves distant. I was able to capture one tense moment, though. An Osprey had been making repeated attempts to pull a fish from the Arkansas River at one particular spot. Like I said, he was quite a way up-river so I had resigned myself to the notion that I would be a mere observer. At the same time there was a second Osprey circling the same area. Fortunately for me (and our fishing Osprey friend) Osprey number one got a solid hit on a good sized fish and he took off to find a suitable location at which to dine. The really lucky part was that as the happy fisherman rose up he banked down-river right toward me. At the same time Osprey number two also banked and dived after number one in an attempt to confiscate the unlucky fish he had in tow. Well I had next to no time at all to raise my camera, focus and fire off a frame or two. The one decent shot I got is offered below. Not my best Osprey shot ever but one of my more exciting ones for sure!
- Update 05/15 – I forgot to mention two things. First Osprey number one managed to elude his pursuer and, I assume, enjoyed his breakfast. Next, on the way out of the park I saw another Osprey (maybe number two from before) chasing a Crow with intent to do bodily harm. The Crow also managed to escape.
Sightings:
Birds: Osprey, Starlings, Canada Geese, Robins, Swallows, Mallard Ducks, Barn Swallow, Bullock’s Oriole, Blue Jay, Flicker, Great Blue Heron, Mourning Doves, Crow, Cormorant, Kingbirds
Critters: Mule Deer,
