[dcstep]

Nothing better than shooting osprey out the car window. Okay, maybe sitting in a boat would be even better. ;-)

[dcstep]

Coot Up Close


Coot Poses by David Stephens, on Flickr

[allachie9]

Great shots from everyone !

We had a camera club studio night last night and, in addition to the usual models, we had a couple of guys dressed up as medieval warriors. I took a few shots of them but thought they might look better against a more 'medieval' type of background.
I tried this, using the remains of Duffus Castle as a backdrop.

Duffus Warriors by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Nice shot.

So, there really is a Duffus!

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Nice shot.

So, there really is a Duffus!

Thanks Dave.
Yes the 'real' Duffus is just a couple of miles from home.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by allachie9

Thanks Dave.
Yes the 'real' Duffus is just a couple of miles from home.

Seems you have lots of cool vistas near your home, Alan. I'm envious.

[Itsed65]

Fun shot Alan! I'm just looking for the taunting French Knights in the tower! (Sorry, but I never got over being a Python fan )

[Itsed65]

This is where my Osprey hang out. Pretty good fishing spot for the striped bass they seem to live on here in the bay area.

Richmond Bridge and Mt Tam by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

This is where my Osprey hang out. Pretty good fishing spot for the striped bass they seem to live on here in the bay area.

Nice location.

I'd try to figure out their most favored fishing spot, then come back when the chicks are getting big and the parents are fishing a lot. With luck, you can get some great fishing shots. I find that they're very tolerant of humans near their fishing spots.

Dave

[Itsed65]

Oh I know where they fish, I just need to get there early when the light is favorable. Babies are a ways off yet though. I'm just glad I found this spot.

Back Off Crow! by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Fun shot Alan! I'm just looking for the taunting French Knights in the tower! (Sorry, but I never got over being a Python fan )

"I blow my nose in your general direction!"

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Oh I know where they fish, I just need to get there early when the light is favorable. Babies are a ways off yet though. I'm just glad I found this spot.

That's a good size fish. And a very cool shot.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

That's a good size fish. And a very cool shot.

That's a sizable crow. Is it, perhaps, a raven? It knows that the osprey's talons are occupied.

[Itsed65]

Actually I have another blurrier shot where the osprey has one very sharp unoccupied talon ready to go! It's a very good question though, I am not good at telling ravens and crows apart. We have large groups of crows around here, and I read that ravens tend to travel in pairs, so I couldn't say. The size might be amplified in the photo due to compression as well.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by dcstep

That's a sizable crow. Is it, perhaps, a raven? It knows that the osprey's talons are occupied.

Raven, pretty sure.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Raven, pretty sure.

I will buy that. It was pretty big and they are both all over the place.
This isn't a great shot for sharpness, but that talon does show the osprey means business.

One Talon Free by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Mount Blanca, Colorado

Mount Blanca by David Stephens, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Mount Blanca, Colorado

Great shot Dave! Although I do see a dust spot, which reminds me I need to get my sensors cleaned before I head out to Yosemite.

[Itsed65]

Osprey and Fish by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

^^^Alright, Ed, fess up. How much are you paying these birds to pose for you?

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by M_Six

^^^Alright, Ed, fess up. How much are you paying these birds to pose for you?

LoL! Actually, of all the raptors, osprey seem to be the least concerned about humans gawking and pointing big white tubes at them, so they go about their business. Right now some of the unattached younger males are trying to move in on established nesting pairs and there is a lot of drama to capture.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Great shot Dave! Although I do see a dust spot, which reminds me I need to get my sensors cleaned before I head out to Yosemite.

Thanks Ed. I hadn't noticed it. Thanks for pointing it out. I apparently went to the sand dunes and managed not to get a spot and then, somehow, I got one the day of this shot, or the evening before.