A birding stop at Greenfield Park in Milwaukee County this morning provided nice views of an adult Osprey. Ospreys are seldom seen at Greenfield Park so it was a real treat. The bird flew in and tried twice for something to eat. The first attempt for food failed but on the second it grabbed a goldfish and left the park. The bird made some flight circles, perched for a couple of minutes and made the grab for the food, that was the show but an exciting one at that. It was pleasant day with partly cloudy skies, low wind, and temps in the mid 70’s early on. Images were taken on August 18, 2018.
The Osprey circling overhead in search for food…
Osprey
Binomial name: Pandion haliaetus
Category: Ospreys
Size: 23” long, 63” wing span
Weight: 3.5 lb
Circling and looking…
The Osprey coming up from the first failed attempt for food at the pond…
Gaining height…
This powerful bird is also called a sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk with those large talons…
Off to do some more hunting…
All fluffed up and stabilizing itself here…
Looking around…
Just perched…
More circling…
Circling…
A tense look, then more circling…
…
Looks like a Cooper’s Hawk chasing the Osprey, if I am incorrect on the ID, please let me know. Thank you!
I missed the catch as it was in front of a building at the pond…but here the Osprey is flying off in a distance with its meal…
Wonderful pictures!!!
Wow, that certainly was a treat, especially if you don’t see them often at that location. We are fortunate to have several nesting platforms in our area, so we watch them when we can and have found that they come to our pond to fish too. Surprised us just as much as he/she was surprised and did take off with lunch. Excellent pictures, always enjoy your shares.
Great photos Jim! I saw my first osprey in Eagle River this July. They are truly incredible to watch.
That’s a pretty Large Carp! He satisfied his appetite, LoL!!!!