Osprey with its feet entangled by filamentous algae – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
I photographed this Osprey at Lettuce Lake Regional Park, Florida from the observation tower. The Osprey had tried to catch a fish but came up with just the filamentous algae in its talons. It was January of 2009 and the morning had been a bit brisk by Florida standards.
The sun was warming things up and the Ospreys in the area were on the hunt. The three story observation tower gave me great eye level views of the Ospreys as they flew past along with Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, and Red-shouldered Hawks.
I’m sure the Osprey was easily able to get the algae untangled but had this been fishing line the Osprey would have been in trouble. Please dispose of fishing line properly and you could be saving the lives of birds and animals.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Osprey photos plus facts and information about this species.
What a great image … and what a relief to look through the lens and see that this fibrous attachment to the legs is algae, not fishing line or netting.
Boy, that’s a nice clean shot. I thought it was netting at first, too.
A happy ending…this time.THANK GOD!!!
When I got to the entangled part of your post title my heart lurched. And has resumed its regular beat after discovering that it was algae (this time). Echoing your call for care. With so many of our toys.
Interesting image — eye level does make it special.
Another great shot, Mia