I was pleased with my trip of a few days earlier when I had seen a lot of Ospreys seeming to catch plenty of fish from the sea at Long Reef. I was now after action photos of them diving into the sea and grabbing a fish with their talons. I know these are difficult to get – the birds need to be around, the sea needs to be right, and the birds need to be hunting. Then there are other factors – will the birds catch their fish relatively close by (within the range of a telephoto lens)? Will the light be good? But if you don’t try, then you certainly won’t get any photos.
So I set off again for the Northern Beaches. Low tide was around Noon, and the Ospreys seem to be active during the afternoon, so I fist visited a spot on the sea cliffs where I had seen Peregrine Falcons in past years. Sure enough there were two Peregrine Falcons around. Here are some photos –
And there were some smaller birds as well –
Little Wattlebird
Superb Fairy-wren
I then made my way to Long Reef. It was busy. There was a school excursion studying the rock platform. But there was plenty of room. No raptors were around, so I walked out to the island beyond the rock platform.
Crested Tern
White-faced Heron
Pied Cormorant
Australasian Darter
Then I spotted an Osprey flying over the headland. Near it was a Nankeen Kestrel.
The Osprey flew around the paragliders.
It was looking down for fish.
It could also hover – like a Kestrel or Black-shouldered Kite.
The Osprey was not around the whole time. It would appear for a few minutes then fly off out of sight. I met a few other bird photographers also trying to snap the Ospreys. One was Michael who I had met a few years ago on the sea cliffs.
From the lookout, I spotted these Dolphins –
Then near the Dolphins were a pair of Ospreys
Again, they flew off. I watched a White-faced Heron.
Back on the lookout, I saw a very distant whale breeching –
And I saw a White-bellied Sea Eagle flying past.
Then the Sea Eagle met the pair of Ospreys. There was a bit of a scuffle.
The Sea Eagle flew off. One of the ospreys flew past and perched on the cliff.
I wanted for it to take-off. When it did – it flew off away from me.
Then I saw one of the Ospreys diving –
It didn’t get a fish.
Another dive – but this one pulled up before it hit the water.
Another dive –
I think the Osprey got a fish, but the fish either escaped or the Osprey could not hold on to it.
Another photographer, on the bottom level was in a much better position to catch the action. But I don’t think he knew the Osprey was so close.
It was now getting a bit late. The light was staring to fade, so I started walking towards the bus stop. I took a few final shots of the Ospreys.
They are perhaps a bit too close!
I think these Ospreys are young. Perhaps siblings?
And also enjoying the afternoon was the Nankeen Kestrel.
