A few weeks back I visited a local wildlife trail (the Lake Apopka Wildlife drive). It is only 20 minutes away and I always come back with a few decent photographs. Plus, some folks have been lucky enough to see Bobcats there recently and I’ve long wanted to have a chance to photograph those elusive felines.
I was one of the first folks on the trail after it opened. As I slowly rolled along on the beautiful and cool morning I soon noticed an Osprey hovering over the water to my left. I watched as it spotted a fish then suddenly dove and hit the water…And missed.
I pulled off the road, grabbed my camera and watched as the raptor made a long, wide circle and returned to the same spot.
This time I had a chance to grab a few shots as he (she?) tried again…And MISSED again!
I quickly adjusted my camera settings and re-positioned myself close enough that I could shoot nearly full frame images with nice cross-lighting. Sure enough, the Osprey came back hoping for luck on a third try.
Again it hovered.
Again it dove.
…SUCCESS!
I was shooting with a Nikon D500 set to 10 frames per second…which gave me a slew of shots to capture the action.
And with that, the Osprey flew off to enjoy it’s well-earned breakfast.
Perhaps it wasn’t the Bobcat I had hoped to photograph but watching this persistent raptor fishing was pretty cool just the same.
Have a great morning!
Jeff
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Views: 3
Jacqueline
8 May 2019Your photography is amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Jeff Stamer
8 May 2019Thanks for your kind words Jacqueline!
Ed Rosack
7 May 2019Outstanding sequence, Jeff – well done!
Jeff Stamer
7 May 2019Thanks my friend.