Osprey with flounder over the Gulf, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, FloridaOsprey with flounder over the Gulf – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 116mm, natural light, Osprey caught the Flounder

Some of my images make me laugh and this Osprey image with a flounder that weighs almost as much as the bird does make me laugh.

I was photographing  pelicans in the Gulf of Mexico with my friends Adrian and Bill at Fort De Soto County Park’s north beach when I spotted an Osprey coming towards us with a wiggling flounder in its talons. The Osprey was flying surprisingly fast and I knew it was going to fly right over top of us. I just didn’t know how low and close it would be. If it had been any closer I wouldn’t have been able to focus on the bird and fish at all.

I zoomed back as quickly as I could to 116mm and started firing away and as I did I started leaning and almost fell on my back as the Osprey passed over my head. Adrian and I were laughing out loud and Bill was wondering if we got any good shots of the Osprey floundering with its prey over our heads.

Me? I was just glad the Osprey didn’t drop that huge flounder on my head!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Osprey photos plus facts and information about this species.