Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: BoboBird on September 01, 2012, 12:15:00 PM

Title: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 01, 2012, 12:15:00 PM
1.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zirM08p9R70/UEG7rQVpWCI/AAAAAAAAKYs/v0ytxmUlND4/s800/20120830_4779-1.jpg)

2.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x0Cg3to-7UY/UEJTwmRb8OI/AAAAAAAAKdI/mmlCKjPwU8w/s800/20120830_4778-3b1.jpg)

3.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qVpzGs4z3UQ/UEJkdnLPiLI/AAAAAAAAKek/hzRvY7UyBAk/s800/20120830_4751-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: MEGHAN on September 01, 2012, 03:30:08 PM
Now this is a great set of shots.
These guys are giving you a lot of practice, and it shows.
#2 is aweseome.
That pond is going to run out of fish pretty soon.
Is this from up at Oakbank as well.
What a great spot. I went there a few years ago and saw nothing. I think I may have to try again and join you up there one day.
Nice to have an awesome place so close to you.
Keep the pics coming
Meghan
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 01, 2012, 03:45:59 PM
Thanks. Yes, same place, 10 minutes from my place and a Timmie's along the way to pick up a coffee and then wait.

One day last week 6 turned up. One is probably a new guy as he was hovering way way overhead. He did come down eventually, got his fish and went onto a tree for dinner. Too far away for my puny telephoto.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: Irene on September 01, 2012, 09:59:44 PM
Fabulous shots, what a great experience to see these birds
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: Howieh on September 01, 2012, 10:41:01 PM
All I can say is WOW! I'm pretty close to Oakbank but I haven't spent much time there this year. Are these taken from the platform?
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 01, 2012, 11:52:48 PM
Thanks Irene, Howeih.

From the platform. Not usual as they always go the the furthest end. So normally it is just aerial shots and catch shots are just too far off. A huge 500 or 800 will take care of that though. :)
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: Reg on September 02, 2012, 11:15:02 AM
Great action shots here. congrats.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 02, 2012, 07:36:06 PM
Thanks Reg.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: Brian Bailey on September 02, 2012, 09:19:50 PM
Wow :shock: Amazing action shots!

BB

Sent from my birdroid using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: Howieh on September 03, 2012, 11:51:27 AM
I was there twice yesterday and the osprey showed up both times, providing some great views and photo ops.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 03, 2012, 12:28:51 PM
Great!!!1

What times did you go.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: rcflier on September 03, 2012, 01:14:14 PM
I was there yesterday as well, ( nice to meet you Howieh) and was not dissapointed as 2 Osprey did arrive and went fishing.  This is an incredible sight to to watch in real time.

For such a small area  (pond) there is a lot of entertainment going on.  There was a Great Blue Heron and a Black Crowned Night Heron perched on branches off to the left of the deck. Looked like they were having words with each other on who's territory this was. There also a DCC sunning himself.  And of course the mallards and the geese.

Of special interest, probably more for the kids, were all the ( smaller) turtles and ( larger) gold fish ( I'm wondering if these might be "Koi" - no wonder the Osprey are well fed ) swimming right near the deck.  There were your typical "painted turtle", but as well were many "Red-eared slider" or Red-eared turtle  ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eared_slider (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eared_slider) ). I believe both of these are not your typical "pond" turtles.

However, there were 2 that I saw, and one fellow ( seemingly a very regular visitor to the pond ) said there were 4 there, of very large snapping turtles, about 12" to 15" long shells.  This guys was tossing bread in for the fish and turtles.  It was quite entertaining.  

I'll have to go back again to see the Osprey.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: Howieh on September 03, 2012, 01:20:55 PM
Quote from: "BoboBird"
Great!!!1

What times did you go.

Around 4pm the first time, spent about 2 hours at the Promenade and stopped again (around 6pm) on the way home. Lovely spot but always a challenge because the sun is not so favorable for shooting during the afternoon. I'll try to get there before noon sometime this week. The place has really changed over the years; I still remember when you could get to the west side of the pond quite easily, making the herons on the islands much easier targets but it looks impossible now!? Hopefully we'll meet there before too long.

Glad to meet you as well, rcflier!
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 03, 2012, 03:04:03 PM
Thanks Howeih.

It is a great place considering its size and it has blossomed this year.

Real pity about the western path. It is still there but so overgrown it is impossible to get through the reed. The park office is probably short-handed or lazy (probably the latter).

I have been there a number of times in the early morning but nothing going on at all. All the major activity seems to takes place between 4-7pm.
Title: Re: Osprey
Post by: BoboBird on September 03, 2012, 03:09:20 PM
rc - he has not seen this guy then. :)

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