Osprey the Bird Bringing Home Lunch

Three Hour Hike

Out with the camera and a heavy lens, I decided it was time for a long walk.

There wasn't much activity down in the fields. I was headed home when this Osprey appeared.

It wouldn't be until the camera was downloaded that I noticed the fish.

The camera was tripod-mounted but, used as a monopod for shooting this scene.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 MM 1.4 Converter for focal length 420 MM

Exposure:  f/5.6   1/8000   ISO 800

Location: Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: MAR 29 2018   11:06 AM

12 Photos: Wordless Wednesday for the Birds

This Will Be a Short Dam Report

End of November

The weather is quickly changing from autumn to winter on this island, dammit.

It was the first time since March, I had to put socks on, along with the flip-flops.

When it gets below 20 degrees Celsius, that's something like the high 60's Fahrenheit.

Socks, bluejeans, flannel shirts and wool-lined jackets, ain't really my style.

But, I had to bundle-up to go work in my freezing office. I don't want to turn the heat on, yet.

All of a sudden, I stepped outside the office and the sun was shining. Whoa, baby!

A backpack got stuffed with cameras, lenses, lunch and a camping chair.

The jacket got chucked and, I hiked to see how the dam birds were doing.

The Ospreys were flying around Kin Dam, looking for fish. It must have been lunchtime.

The birds, don't exactly pose for the camera and, they move fairly quickly.

From the dam, also know an Okukubu, they search the Okukubi River, all the way to the ocean.

It might take 150 snaps of the shutter button, to catch a bird's golden eye.

If, the eye isn't lit up by the sun, just right, I usually throw the photo away.

Things got so busy, for a while, I forgot about eating the lunch I had packed away.

Who wants cheese, crackers, and canned tuna fish, anyhow?  Yuck.

Here's a photo of an Osprey, bragging about the fish it caught.

It would have been much nicer if, the bird was flying in blue skies and looked towards the sun.

Five hours out there with a heavy backpack and, I came home sweaty and sore.

End of the Dam Report

Visit Kin Dam

Osprey Identification Photos

Aircraft named Osprey

Bird named Osprey

Photo of Another Dam Osprey in Flight

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 MM + 1.4 HD Rear Converter - Focal Length 420 MM

Exposure:  f/7.1   1/6400   ISO 800

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 7 2015  2:43 PM

Today's Bird of the Day - Osprey in Flight

Over Nagahama Dam

Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) leave Okinawa during the hottest part of the year.

They're back now and this is the first keeper of a shot, I've gotten this Autumn.

The rascal, wouldn't fly out in the blue skies, where I wanted it to be.

So, the image is a bit overexposed, giving a white background for my bird collection.

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300 MM + 1.4 HD Rear Converter for a Focal Lenght of 420 MM

Exposure:  f/5.6   1/1000    ISO 400

Location: Nagahama Dam, Yomitan, Okinawa

Date and Time:  NOV 6 1017   11:26 AM



More Osprey Images

Osprey the Bird and Toenails

If It Wasn't for Facebook

This old photo would not have been resurrected from the files. A friend sent me something.

We were in northern South Vietnam many moons ago and, haven't seen each other since.

With all the modern technology, available these days, we're hooked-up on Facebook, now.

It's kinda neat.  We can joke with each other anytime of the day or night.

It would be even more fun if, they'd serve booze on Facebook. Maybe, that's next.

Anyhow, he sent me this cartoon of an old guy whispering, that made me think.

"Please do not wear flip flops if your feet look like they could swoop out of the sky and snatch

 

your dinner from a lake."

So, I went and cut my toenails !

Wordless Wednesday - A Sign in Kin Town

Magnificent Osprey in Flight

Sun Goddess Made It Happen

Walking to the office yesterday, my intentions were, to work all day, indoors, on a story.

It was cold so, I dressed in warm, winter clothes and, almost put socks on my feet.

It looked like it might rain so, I told the wife, I'd put the socks on later.

It started sprinkling, halfway to work and I smiled, thinking about, what, I told the missus.

The socks, would have got wet, on my feet. They went in my pocket, instead.

Rainy Winter Days Are Perfect for Office Work

It may surprise some folks, to hear that, I started doing physical conditioning exercises.

One morning I decided, too much soft fat, was beginning to creep into this old body.

Around the 1st of November, I began doing some simple, flexibility stretching and twisting.

Each week, something new, got added to the regimen. Tougher stuff.

With rain and cold wind blowing, I decided to workout indoors, yesterday.

At least, warm up enough, to where I wouldn't need the jacket, when going outside.

Out back, there are some cement blocks, I use for weight training. Too cheap, to buy weights.

After working up a little sweat, I went out to toss cement blocks around.

The whole physical training session, lasts about an hour, these days. It's good.

My head, would be clear and, writing a story could have been simple.  Then it happened.

Sunshine Busted Out All Over the Place !

Now I, don't want to sound sacrilegious or, nothing like that. Folks believe in all kinds of gods.

Somebody, up there, made the sun shine for me yesterday. Must be a woman. They're the best.

The socks, got thrown on a desk, a short sleeve shirt, replaced the flannel one.

I packed some lunch, grabbed a camera and, walked in the sun, until, it went down.

By the time, I returned, it was dark outside and over 700 photos of birds, got downloaded.

There isn't time for me, to look at all of yesterday's photos. Guess what ?

Sunshine, just busted out all over the island, again.  See ya tomorrow, maybe !

End of the Month Parting Shot: Osprey in Flight

Maybe Not the Best Bird of November

But, it sure was fun trying to catch this critter in some blue skies.

Yesterday, was sort of a goof-off day, for the professor (Doc) and I; we had no plan.

Neither of us, carried long lenses, which we should have, for shooting birds.

The weather forecast was sort of iffy and, rain could be expected.

When he arrived at my office he said, "Where should we go north or south?"

Having just received an influenza shot and, a bit sore I didn't really care.

Any where, I could get by, without humping a heavy lens and tripod, sounded good.

We started going north, then came up with another idea,

Let's drive south, to Itoman and see if, the Spoonbills have showed up, this year.

All Kinds of Birds

There were ducks, herons, coots, egrets, Japanese White Eyes and stilts but, no Spoonbills.

We positioned ourselves on the far side of the wetlands, with the sun at our backs.

After awhile, of picking away at birds, that were truly out of range, an osprey flew by.

It was way up in nice blue skies but, wouldn't get close enough for, us to get some great shots.

Every time, it came within range, the rascal would turn and, fly into the sun.

Sometimes, I swear those birds know what, I'm trying to do and, just mess with me.

While they circle around overhead, I talk to them, trying to get the best pose.

"This way, that way, look at me, when the sun lights up those eyes" and stuff like that.

Should one of those psychiatric doctors come along, I'd probably get hauled away.

So, I really don't speak loud enough for anybody, close by, to hear me.

Take a Little Break

What, I tell Doc, "If you quit paying attention, for a minute, the osprey will come back."

Whenever, you get away from the camera, to relieve yourself or, light up a cigarette, it happens.

I bet, out in the wilderness, it's been my misfortune, over a thousand times.

So, we practised being vegetarians, for a while by, smoking Japanese cigarettes. 

No. I'm not crazy. Frank Zappa, is where I learned this from. Cigarettes are food.

He said, "Tobacco is my favorite vegetable."

So, that's a good enough excuse, for me, to become a part time vegetarian. Hah.

There were only three cigarette butts in my pocket when, I took this shot.

And, I told Doc, we could go do lunch because, I thought maybe, I got a good one !

Flight of the Osprey

Fast Moving Bird

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM 1.4  Converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure: f/5.6  1/3200   ISO 3200

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 5 2016  2:24 PM

Flight of the Osprey: A Bird at Kin Dam

20 More Images on Facebook

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM with 1.4 converter Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/11  1/1250   ISO 400

Location: Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 8  2016  3:18 PM

Note: This is one of my favorite birds for photography.  It can be challenging.

As I mentioned on the Facebook Album:

'Tween You, Me and a Streetlamp: These birds can drive a person crazy.

Over twenty more photos of these swift flying birds, may be seen there.

Some of the shots were made, as they were buzzing around a streetlamp.

Other images, on this blog, can be found, by typing Osprey, up to the left in the Search Box.

Wildlife Image -- The Bird Known as an Osprey in Flight

Flying Over Kin Dam

The plan for today, was to take a different route and, skip going to the dam.

Headed to the Okukubi River and,  I wanted to start on the east side for the best light.

Crossing the Kin Bridge, I spotted some osprey flying so, hung around awhile.

Satisfied, I had taken a couple of good shots, off to the other end of the bridge I went.

On a hill across the river, dangerously close to a ledge, I noticed someone standing.

The thought had occurred to me, "Shoot the guy; it's an interesting image."

But, I didn't. I was out , to do some wildlife photography; not people.

Three quarters of the way, crossing the span, this guy started waving, frantically, at me.

He wanted me, to come over there and, motioned towards the road leading to his location.

By the time, I arrived at the path, going to his property, he was at a gate, waiting for me.

It was then, I realized, I had met him a few years ago.

He invited me in, opened several gates and, gave me a tour of all his land.

First, he told me, the ospreys happen to be living on his property. Wow. I want to see !

Big Black Dog on a Chain

Being a dog type person, dogs don't scare me.  Unless they are big and growling, at me.

"Does he bite?"  "No, not if, you're with me" he replied. The dog just, kept growling.

Then, we had to go visit some baby goats and their mothers. That was fun. I suppose.

We wound up, walking through a couple of gates, where everything was fenced off.

Finally, we got to the cliffs. I was hoping, he'd show me where an osprey nest, might be.

He just said, he didn't know but, they come around here every year. That's it ?

Being a polite person (momentarily)  I thought it might be a good idea to change the subject.

So, I told him, this month there will be a humongous full moon.

Then, he walked me to the eastern cliffs, to show where the moon rises.

He scampered up this pile of dirt, near the cliffs, to show me, the best position.

Dude, "You're wearing boots. I'm not climbing up there wearing flip-flops."

He agreed, shima zori (flip-flops) wouldn't be safe, for cliff hanging. Yeah !

Change of Plans

Originally, the idea was to walk the east bank of the river, to the ocean.

High tide would have been around 9:20 AM and, that's what I wanted to see.

After touring all his acreage, we passed through all the wire gates and, said goodbye to the kids.

It was time well spent, I suppose and, I'll probably visit, again sometime.

Instead of heading down to the ocean, I decided to walk around the dam, instead.

By the time, the camera got downloaded, there were over 400 images complied.

Plants, trees, ferns, birds, hills and flowing water, are in the pending files.

Here's how the image above was taken:

Camera: Pentax K1

Lens: Pentax 300MM + 1.4 converter for Focal Length 420MM

Exposure:  f/8   1/500   ISO 100

Location:  Kin Dam, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time:  NOV 4 2016  8:17 AM

More on Osprey -- Birds

Japanese call this bird, Misago -- ミサゴ

Many Okinawans call it, Taka -- タカ

They are both correct, An osprey, may also be called a sea hawk.

News, to me, in Japan:


Osprey are on the Ministry of Environment Red List as Near Threatened (NT) Species.

Okinawa Red Data Book -- Vulnerable (VU).

REFERENCE: Wildlife of Okinawa

Birds of Prey Made the Day

During November Outdoors is Where to Be

 

This morning, I decided it was time to go for a long walk with the camera.

No need to check email or Facebook, with election USA so close.

There's nothing but a bunch of mud-slinging going on, between two candidates.

Disown me if, you want, neither of them is fit to run a country, in my opinion.

It's November 1st and the weather finally got comfortably cool.  No A/C required anymore.

Quietly, I slipped out of the house, before anyone else woke up.

At the office, I didn't bother turning any computers on. Just grab a camera and tripod and, go.

Almost forgot, I packed a lunch in a camera bag and, slung it over my shoulder.

My destination was the Kin Dam but, I took a roundabout way, to get there.

The dam entrance, is only about a 45 minute walk if, you go in a straight line.

Well, I walked sort of in the opposite direction, for awhile, along a backroad.

Buzzard Eagles, returned to the island recently and, I knew where, I might find one.

Five minutes, after starting out, I spotted one and, shot a dozen photos.

It was among telephone and electric wires on a concrete pole but, I shot it anyway.

Good target practice and, I got a golden eye, with sun shining in it.

But, I don't like wildlife photos looking, like they were taken in the city.

Facebook has been a pain lately so, maybe, I'll post the bird in wires, over there.

The bird above, wasn't much larger than a pigeon but, at least it was out in the countryside.

Before I got to the dam, two Grey-faced Buzzard Eagles, were shot. Not a bad day.

This all took place, before 8 o'clock in the morning. Should I quit and, go home?

The thought had crossed my mind. It's been a long time since I hiked the distance to the dam.

Stifling summer heat, kept me away from doing long walks, for the past few months.

But, I had already packed a lunch and, was enjoying the fresh air so, kept on going.

There's something soothing, about taking a long walk out in the wilderness.

The sights, sounds and smells of nature, must wake up something in the brain.

Don't listen to creaking bones or aching muscles. Just keep on walking to the damn dam.

That was the original plan so, that's what we were going to do, dammit. Keep walking.

Before long, I was halfway around the dam and, got thinking.

Take ten steps, in any direction and, you'll be ten steps closer, to your ultimate destination.

It may not be where you initially planned on going. Know what I mean?

It don't matter, what your plans might be. Ten steps, gets you closer.

Whether you're planning on going to heaven or hell, it's ten less steps, you'll need, to get there.

Back to the Birds

Before 10 AM this Osprey image was captured. There will be many more this season.

None of the bird photos, I shot today, would be considered trophies.

But, it was the first time, this autumn, I had a camera handy, to get some shooting done.

Wild critter photography, like hiking, takes practice and patience.

Just as, you're body gets out of shape, from not exercising, camera skills, can get rusty, too.

Being satisfied with the photographic capture of two different birds, it was time for a break.

A bit past 10 o'clock, I decided to sit down and, have a little brunch.

Ritz Crackers and tuna, are what I pack away for excursions like this.  Coffee, too.

My tripod and camera bag are in the grass, behind the curb.

Wouldn't you know it?  Take your eyes off the sky for just a moment and, birds show up.

Two mechanical military Ospreys and three Osprey birds, flew overhead.

But, I was on my break so, shot this dinner picture, for you, with the cellphone !

Meandering, back towards the office, I stopped to buy a bento.

It was just about noon, when I arrived there, sweaty and tuckered out.

That does it. Tomorrow, I'll leave home at five and, pack a larger lunch, to stay out longer.

Today, there was 420MM worth of lens on the camera. Maybe, tomorrow, we'll try 700MM !


Related Posts:

Grey-faced Buzzard Eagle in Flight

Osprey, Fish and Lickiddy Split


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TYPES of RAPTORS

How the Osprey Does Lunch -- 10 Bird Images

Shortly Before Noon

 

 

It was one of rare days, in January, when the sun shined and weather warmed up.

Comfortable in flip-flops, I stuffed a pair of socks in my pocket, just in case.

Having celebrated the New Year for several nights in a row, I needed some exercise.

It had been months, since I walked around the Kin Dam and, I decided the time was right.

 Standing on a dirt bank, above the dam, I saw the bird circling overhead.

Then, it took a steep dive towards the water, directly in front of me.

The bird was staring at the water, with it's talons itching, to grab something.

Sometimes, they go home empty handed so, it can be a hit or miss operation.

 Ospreys have an extra eyelid, they can use as goggles, to see underwater.

But, this one, didn't seem to want to get its hair wet and, kept its head out of the water.

Maybe, it was a girl.  They worry about their appearance, in the people world, anyway. 

 It's times like this, you never know what's gonna happen.

Auto focus, I'm cussing at it, while shooting at 8 frames plus, per second.

If that bird, doesn't come up with a fish, I just wasted a gigabyte of my SD card.

Birds aren't the only critters, that get hungry around lunchtime; I'm starving by now.

OK.  Osprey, show us what you got !

 Now, I can see the bird has something hanging down from one talon.

Stuck at 420MM, I'm wishing I had of brought the big zoom lens, at this point.

The bird and fish, keep getting smaller and smaller the further away from me they went.

Hang tight.  The osprey, likes to do a victory lap and, show-off the catch.

It circles the area, while adjusting the fish so, it's facing forward.

It makes life easier for the bird, to get the fish in an aerodynamic position. 

Then, the bird squawks loudly, announcing to the rest of the world.

Osprey speak:  "I caught a fish everybody, ha, ha, ha.  How are you doing today?"

That's what makes me think, it might have been a guy osprey.  Girls, don't brag like that.

 The bird and fish, quickly buzz across to the other side of the dam.

And, I'm thinking, "It's time for me to get outta here, to go buy some lunch for myself."

Well, I should of known better.  The osprey wasn't done showing, his catch, yet.

After, disappearing out of sight, he turned around and circled the dam again.

 "Look here, y'all non-fishing ospreys.  I got me something for lunch!"

Ospreys are some of the coolest birds in the world, I only wish I could speak their language.

"Dude catch me a fish and, I'll buy you a beer," that's what I'd say !


Previous Osprey Entries

Osprey in Flight -- It's a Plane Not a Bird

Controversial Bird Don't Bother Me

 

 

People complained about the horseless carriages when they first came out.

Now, folks get riled up over this new aircraft.

It is probably much safer than the older models flying around here, every day.

Some of the people who are squawking, drive those horseless carriages.

And, they talk, type and check their mail on their phones, while driving. Hah !

To prove how safe this newfangled flying machine is, here's what they should do.

Give them to the leaders of all countries, around the globe, to fly to important meetings.

Heck, all politicians deserve to have free rides in them.

And, should one or two of them crash, we could say stuff like, "Oops."

More About the Bird Named Osprey

Facts Collected from the Worldwide Web

 

 

The animals department at National Geographic, tells it like it is.

These birds lay eggs which hatch at different times so, older siblings are more dominant.

That way, when there isn't enough food to go around, the bigger birds get to eat.

And, the little weak ones, starve to death.

All About Birds at Cornell Lab of Ornithology says ospreys are excellent at catching fish.

The average time spent hunting for and, catching a meal is 12 minutes.

That's way faster than most people, I know.

The University of Michigan has an interesting BioKids section.

Here I learned females of this species are larger than the male birds.

These birds usually mate for life -- monogamous.

But, every now and then, a male might become polygynous and, have a few mates.

 At the National Wildlife Federation they talk about these birds diving.

Ospreys are the only raptors to plunge into the water to catch their food.

The website Audubon says, the fish hawk was formerly classified along with other hawks.

But now, the Pandion haliaetus has a family classification of its own.



In Japan the osprey is known as misago (ミサゴ) and, called taka (タカ) by many locals.

Freak Wildlife Photo of the Month

An Osprey in Flight with Fish -- Chased by a Crow

 

Camera: Pentax K3

Lens: Pentax F4 300mm

Exposure: f/7.1   1/1250   ISO 200

Location: Okukubi Dam, Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan

Date and Time: MAR 19, 2015  9:31AM

10 Images of Osprey Birds in Flight

Over Kin Dam in Okinawa Japan

 

 

These photos were taken over a two hour period this morning.

The Pentax K3 and 300mm lens were used, along with a tripod.

It was 9:33AM when the first subject appeared.

When they fly over water, they are looking for fish.

Catching them with the sun lighting up their eyes can be a challenge.

They eat fish from the ocean or, fresh water.

Ospreys are also known as Sea Hawks.

Pandion haliaetus is their scientific name.

These birds are the only raptors with white bellies.

The white head and brown mask over the eyes makes identification of  this bird, easy.

Ospreys voluntarily, close their nostrils when they dive for fish in the water.

These  birds a third eyelid which is transparent.

This membrane can be closed when under water, serving as goggles, while they catch their prey.

Learn More About Ospreys at Cornell Lab of Ornithology