Osprey

I first saw an Osprey a few years ago at lunch as a passenger in a car driving by the blimp hangars at the Tustin Marine base.  On the one hand, it was nice to see it while I wasn't driving, because I could gawk. On the other hand, I couldn't gawk as much as I would have if I were on my own. Because, you know, people.

That was the only one I'd seen, but my friend, Tim, said he sees them along the river in Long Beach from time to time.  Which is where I saw this one - the second I've ever seen. 

It was perched along the Los Cerritos Channel by Studebaker, right next to Hill Middle School.  I was driving home with my family, and as soon as I got there, I grabbed my camera gear and headed back.  Sure enough, it was still there.

I don't know anything about Ospreys, AKA Seahawks, I didn't read at the Cornell website or on Wikipedia.  I assume this one is young, as the websites all call it a very large bird of prey, and it wasn't all that big - plus it's not quite as brilliant white and black as some pictures I've seen. I just think it's pretty great.  In this series below, you can see him (her?) begin to take off and soar away...

Only to be immediately set upon by a Red-shouldered Hawk.  This picture below and the one immediately above were taken in very quick succession, and you can see, I hope, that the Osprey had flipped upside down as the hawk dove at it.

Osprey, May 13, 2011 about 5:00 p.m. Shot with Nikon and Sigma 500mm.