My previous trip to Long Reef had been shortened because earlier in the day I had visited Irrawong Reserve. So I was keen to head up to the Northern beaches for another session of photographing mainly the Ospreys fishing at Long Reef.
It turned out to be a reasonable day. I was at Long Reef from approximately 11 am to 4 pm, and for a lot of that time, particularly later in the afternoon, there were a lot of other bird photographers present. At one stage I counted about 20. These included Celine, Michael, Simon and Jimmy who I have met at Long Reef numerous times before.
I think so many were there because bad weather had been forecast for the next week or so. So people wanted to photograph on a fine day. During my visit the tide was high.
When I arrived at the lookout, there were three Ospreys circling around. Here are some –
One of the Ospreys started hunting for fish, so I descended to the lower level. It caught a fish and flew back with it –
It landed on the rock platform, not too far away.
It then moved a few metres to higher ground.
It was time to eat.
Two more Ospreys appeared.
The one with the fish looked a little concerned.
Then resumed eating.
The other two Ospreys then left.
Meanwhile, a Pelican had arrived and landed.
It took off and flew towards the Osprey with the fish.
The Osprey flew off with its fish.
Then a White-bellied Sea Eagle arrived.
I had spotted two Ospreys perched in the trees on the south side of the headland, so I walked around. The first appeared to be the one I had seen earlier with a fish.
And the second –
I walked back to the point, and waited for some more action.
An Osprey appeared. It was looking for fish.
The the Sea Eagle returned.
And so the Sooty Oystercatchers took to the air.
The Sea Eagle did a dive –
The an Osprey appeared and tried to drive the Sea Eagle away.
The next raptor to appear was a Black-shouldered Kite –
It was looking for prey.
The Kite then flew off.
Back to an Osprey –
Then a lull…. time to photograph some Welcome Swallows –
But then an Osprey appeared and was hunting for fish.
It dived –
No fish.
Now two Ospreys.
One dived –
Again – no fish.
Everyone, was watching this diving Osprey, when all of sudden and Osprey flew past us with a nice fish it had just caught. No one had seen it dive!
So back to our hunter –
No luck, so another go.
Again – no fish!
It flew past –
Another dive –
This time it pulled out.
It was tired, so landed on some roots nearby for a rest.
And then flew off –
But just then, another Osprey flew past with a fish –
It was getting a bit cold, so I decided to leave. When I reached the lookout, an Osprey flew past with a partly eaten fish –
It had been a good day.