During the fall, long before another winter would come, many faithful Ospreys are starting to show up along the Texas coast. Every year some of them are choosing to stay and make their winter home here. Now when spring is around the corner it will soon be time to say ‘good bye’ and to wish Ospreys good luck on their nesting grounds. In the last four months I’ve spent countless hours watching these magnificent fishermen, so this is going to be a sad moment when the last one makes its last dive, eats its last Texas fish and flies away not to be seen around here for half of the year. True, many other interesting species will be back to their Texas summer homes, air temperatures will rise, and the memories of spending very long hours fighting with freezing, gusting winds when standing waist deep in cold water will slowly fade away leaving me to dream about next fall when Ospreys will show up again. A year ago I posted some fishing Osprey photos, but this year I spent considerable more time watching these birds than last winter and ended up with a huge collection of documentary photos. I found many more Ospreys wintering here this year and quite a few more of their favorite fishing spots. Sometimes when waiting in the water just before sunrise, I was rewarded with being able to watch up to a dozen Ospreys coming together and making first dives of the day, one after another. There has to be a reason why so many fishing tribesmen from all continents, except Antarctica, are singing songs of fascination dedicated to their master fisherman, the Osprey. Even some authors who wrote about Ospreys are admitting freely in their books that watching this bird can bring to their minds quite emotional thoughts. Gessner in his book had no problem to admit that when he was watching Ospreys diving it was triggering in his mind some strong sexual thoughts. Granted, he was watching Ospreys mostly during the warm weather and did not have to stay submerged in the cold water, so elements did not have a strong impact on his body and mind. But, I also have to admit that emotions are playing an important part of my fascination with this bird. Even that they are different in nature, these emotions are very strong. First there is a challenge. Both, Osprey and I, are testing our skills, reflex and speed every time he spots the fish and decides to start his assault attack from the sky. We both have many misses, both are getting wet and tired but both are not quitting our tasks. His task is a simple one, he needs food to survive and he is not going to quit. Mine is a determination to get in photos of every aspect of his everyday life including the most challenging one: stages of his lightning speed dive and the moment he hits the water, talons first with his head just behind his feet which are, at that last moment, wide open, with razor sharp claws ready to strike and close on its prey. Also, when watching him fighting to survive and then after the winning battle tearing apart his live prey, a lot of different thoughts are crossing my mind. Thoughts about life and death, determination to stay alive, being part of this huge food chain on Earth where only the one on top has a chance to die from old age.

Another aspect of the Osprey life. Even though often several Ospreys are hunting together in one spot rich in fish, they are solitary birds. They spend most of the time alone and do not look for or need the company of the other Ospreys. That is one more thing that makes me like them even more. I am also a solitary individual and I never looked for more company than a normal life forced me to have. If possible, I am always trying to reduce my social life to as little as possible and spend all available time as far from civilization as possible or, better said, as far as I can afford to.

Here, I will share a few photos I chose to illustrate the everyday life of the Osprey. Flights over the water to spot the fish, hovering over the find, the dive and assault. Then Ospreys coming from under the water with fish in their talons or empty if there was a missed try. Their flights with prey which are starting with one or two shakes to remove the water from the wet feathers, positioning fish head-first for less drag in the air and landing on a perch where a meal can take place. And then, the process of ripping the fish apart, may be very graphic, but it is done with great precision; small piece after piece are all swallowed fast. No wasted time or energy. Every part of the fish is usually eaten including the tail. Only a very few soft parts of the guts are lost and dropped down from the bill to the ground. I will also include some photos showing the character and beauty of these raptors. Their portraits are close-ups as very often I was next to them, less then 20 feet away, contemplating their life, sitting next to them and living at that moment "on the Osprey time".