This Osprey (also known as a Fish Hawk) was waiting for an opportunity to snag some lunch in a small pond below.
He was intent on watching for fish -- and completely oblivious to his audience.
Already quite close when I spotted him above the boardwalk, I just kept inching a little closer while looking up. These pictures are not cropped.
He's really not seeing anything at all down there worth diving for.
Moving on.
(This last one is cropped of course -- I cut out a whole bunch of cloudy sky.)
Pictures taken May 5 in North Fort Myers.
Sharing with: SATURDAY CRITTERS (thanks to Eileen); THE BIRD D'POT (thank you Annie); and NATURE NOTES (thank you to Michelle)
Oh fantastic series. You can see that hooked beak and the serious intent in the eyes.. Wonderful for Nature Notes...Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Ramblingwoods | May 14, 2015 at 09:57 AM
Amazing to see such a large bird from upclose! Warm greetings!
Posted by: Alexa T | May 14, 2015 at 04:55 AM
Marvelous photos - what lens did you use? You appear to be right on top of him!
Please come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-walk-on-beach.html
Posted by: image-in-ing | May 13, 2015 at 04:04 AM
Excellent pictures! I have never been able to get that close.
Posted by: Lois | May 12, 2015 at 05:04 PM
hm, I have great shots of Ospreys, but not this good. Congratulations to the images. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | May 12, 2015 at 03:34 PM
These are wonderful shots! How lucky to get so close.
Posted by: bettyl - NZ | May 11, 2015 at 08:00 PM
fabulous captures Sallie. how great to see him that close
Posted by: Felicia | May 11, 2015 at 05:16 PM
Such close up shots! Great focus on the osprey.
Posted by: Leora | May 11, 2015 at 05:04 PM
Wow! What amazing photos!
Posted by: Teresa | May 11, 2015 at 04:42 PM
Great shots of the osprey!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl | May 11, 2015 at 07:06 AM
Incredible photos Sallie. He is such a beautiful bird. Such incredible focus!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | May 11, 2015 at 04:59 AM
What a fantastic "portrait" of this bird! He looks very intent on finding some dinner!
Posted by: Halcyon | May 11, 2015 at 02:45 AM
Isn't that marvelous when you can get so close like that. Wonderful close-ups!
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | May 11, 2015 at 01:49 AM
Magnificent, Sallie; both the osprey and your photos, which make me wish to rich out and touch the feathers, though he doesn't look like he would allow it. :) I truly love these glimpses you give us into nature.
Posted by: Penny | May 10, 2015 at 08:10 PM
Wow - what magnificent shots!
Posted by: Lady Fi | May 10, 2015 at 08:08 PM
The Osprey stares so intently, but I guess the fish never gave him a chance to catch it!
Posted by: Kenneth Cole Schneider | May 10, 2015 at 06:21 PM
Mercy, these are just awesome photos.....really loved seeing every one of them.
Posted by: bj | May 10, 2015 at 03:57 PM
A lovely assortment of photos. The small cropped on is perfect. I wish we could get some rain.
Posted by: Dianne | May 10, 2015 at 03:02 PM
Beautiful photos of this fabulous bird, Sallie!
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | May 10, 2015 at 02:33 PM
That's an impressive bird of prey!
Posted by: Al | May 10, 2015 at 12:06 PM
Hi Sallie!
Such amazing pictures of the fish hawk! So close! Wow! I never came this near it.
Thanks for your last comment in my blog! You are so sweet and kind! Have a nice week!
Greetings Pia
Posted by: I stora drag | May 10, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Wowzer- if this is what I saw the other day- I sure hope I get a closer view! Beautiful shots!
Posted by: Coloring Outside the Lines | May 10, 2015 at 09:40 AM
Fantastic shots. A beautiful predator indeed.
Posted by: Carver | May 10, 2015 at 09:13 AM
ooooh now that's concentration!!! what an exciting, magnificent sighting!! you have to give them props when they hold still that long for awesome images!!!!!
Posted by: Debbie | May 10, 2015 at 07:10 AM
A close encounter that brings excitement to all of us.
Posted by: rainfield | May 10, 2015 at 06:36 AM
wow!! GREAT shots of the Osprey!! i love this bird!!
Posted by: laura | May 10, 2015 at 06:30 AM
Good luck, fishing bird!
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | May 10, 2015 at 04:20 AM
great shots of a magnificent bird
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | May 10, 2015 at 04:13 AM
Hi! Nice closing up Osprey photos. A Osprey would catch only fish. But Many of us would think the name of osprey is a military helicopter. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Minoru | May 10, 2015 at 03:24 AM
Just a few words today...I can't top your photos but for this...
THE PICTURES ARE EXTRAORDINARY/PHENOMENAL.
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | May 10, 2015 at 03:11 AM
Fabulous close up shots. He is a magnificent animal.
Posted by: diane | May 10, 2015 at 02:34 AM
Incredible! And I did not know that another name for the osprey was fish hawk. Hum. We have a Fishhawk Falls here, among other things, perhaps they are named after the Osprey?
Blessings, Aimee
PS: Warm today and very sunny here in the Pacific NW. Everything is still blooming way ahead of schedule. Pretty:)
Posted by: Aimee | May 09, 2015 at 11:54 PM
Awesome shots! How amazing to see this handsome bird.
Posted by: Gunilla | May 09, 2015 at 11:22 PM
It has such in intense look. I remember waiting for their return in WA as the first sign of spring.
Posted by: Gaelyn | May 09, 2015 at 09:46 PM
Splendid bird - we get ospreys here, but I think that they are now considered a different species to the ones 'up north'.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | May 09, 2015 at 08:41 PM
Excellent close ups!! A magnificent bird, the feather and eye detail is impressive!!
Posted by: Sondra-SC | May 09, 2015 at 03:25 PM
Wow - you got amazingly close! Well done.
Posted by: VioletSky | May 09, 2015 at 03:03 PM
Great photos! LOVE the osprey! Hope you continue to see him.
Posted by: Marie-AZ | May 09, 2015 at 02:50 PM
Great shot!
Posted by: Traveling Rockhopper | May 09, 2015 at 02:14 PM
Hi there,
Very beautiful close-up shots of the Osprey - what a majestic bird!
Have a Great Weekend!
Peace :)
Posted by: Chandra | May 09, 2015 at 12:59 PM
What a beautiful bird! You did a great capture there!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
Posted by: Linda | May 09, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Sallie your bird photography is brilliant, you are so lucky to have opportunities to get such stunning captures. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: lindyloumac | May 09, 2015 at 09:13 AM
These are amazing!
Posted by: Mama Zen | May 09, 2015 at 08:24 AM
Very nice Osprey shots. Fabulous
Posted by: Adam Jones | May 09, 2015 at 07:39 AM
Oh, what a handsome bird! Wonderful shots!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Sara D.B. | May 09, 2015 at 07:03 AM
Dearest Sallie; What fantastic and stunning pictures of brave looking Osprey☆☆☆ Taken Quite in Detail, aren't they♬♬♬ Amazed with the sharp eyes "oblivious to his audience" :-) Happy for your WONDERFUL chance with great bird!!!
Wishing you'll have a wonderful coming weekend.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | May 09, 2015 at 05:43 AM
you've both got sharp eyes
Posted by: gerald | May 09, 2015 at 05:12 AM
Wow Sallie! Awesome closeups of the Osprey. Beautiful images. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
Posted by: Eileen | May 09, 2015 at 04:06 AM
wow! so beautiful! wonderful shots!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | May 08, 2015 at 07:50 PM