An adventure with an osprey
It is always an exciting time of year when the ospreys, herons and loons return to the Kawarthas after spending the winter in the south.
You can almost mark the day on your calendar when they will return. Each year they come back to the exact same place at very near the same time. I always make a point to get out and watch them when they get back.
I had planned to try to get some photos to show the ospreys returning and repairing their nests, getting ready for mating season, but those photos will have to wait for another column.
This year I was treated to a special show. While scouting out various nest sites, I came across an osprey perched high in a tree near the edge of a shallow bay. He was very actively scanning the water for fish so I quickly got into a position where I had a good view of the area he was searching.
It did not take long. I could tell he had spotted something by the way he bobbed his head back and forth trying to pinpoint the exact location he had to aim for. A few seconds later he plunged into a highspeed dive. It was hard to keep the camera on him at the speed he was going. Ospreys can reach speeds of over 130 km/h when diving for fish.
They start their dive head first, but just before they hit the water they thrust their feet forward and go into the water feet first. This way their feet break the surface of the water and protect their head and their talons are ready to grab the fish. One foot is on each side of the head so they can maintain sight of the fish they are after.
I managed to keep the camera on him all the way as he went toward the water. It was amazing to watch. He went completely under the water for a few seconds and when he first emerged he looked bewildered. I thought he had missed the fish. Then as he tried to emerge from the water and get airborne I saw the struggle he was having. I knew at that point that he had caught something big.
Ospreys have very sharp talons that can close very quickly and exert tremendous force. They also have special pads on their feet that help to grip the fish securely. Once an osprey has a hold of a fish it is very hard for it to get away.
The osprey tried a few times with powerful thrusts of its wings to get airborne but it took several attempts. I couldn’t wait to see the fish it had, and when I finally did see it my jaw dropped open. I hoped the camera was catching all this.
My heart was pounding. He broke free of the water. In its talons was a largemouth bass that probably weighed almost as much as he did. Even once airborne he struggled. Any fisherman would have been proud of this catch. He laboured as he flew off across the bay, heading back toward his nest or to a favourite tree, but he would eat well today.
I was thrilled when I looked at the photos on the back of the camera. It was another wonderful adventure here in the Kawartha Lakes.