Osprey taking Catfish

Gallery: AvianPosted June 1, 2011547 views22 comments

We visited my sister over my Memorial Day weekend. It wasn't meant to be a photo trip but it turned into one. My sister thought we should stop by Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge near her home in Independence, Oregon. Well we pull up to the first pull out and there's an Osprey feeding frenzy going on. Up to 5 Osprey were pulling catfish out of the receding pond at Pintail Marsh off of Wintel Road. They were often close enough to get good shots. In addition up to 5 Bald Eagles were around and an eagle would often chase an Osprey after a catch. By the time I took this image which has the most dynamic position it was quite dark and cloudy. It's cropped to about 85% of full frame.

7D 500F4 1/1000 F5, iso 800, manual exposure, AI Servo, center AF point with assist points.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Bob Karcz on June 1, 2011 at 10:32 PM

What great timing Nate! Super shot!

Registered on November 8, 2009, 25 Posts, 43 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on June 1, 2011 at 10:36 PM

Extremely dynamic and that monotone background makes the viewer focus on the action. The slight blur on the wings is a nice touch - this would make a great book/magazine cover with all that nice blank space around it

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 1, 2011 at 11:29 PM

Superb timing, Nate!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 1, 2011 at 11:30 PM

What an absolutely spectacular shot Nate! The wingspread is fantastic and the action you froze superb. You must have been tickled pink with this one :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on June 1, 2011 at 11:52 PM

Must have been fun watching the action, Nate. You've caught a great moment here, and I kind of like the grayness of the shot.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on June 1, 2011 at 11:56 PM

Great look at bird and prey, down to the very whiskers on the catfish. I too like the motion inferred by the blurred wingtips, with the rest of the shot sharp.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 2, 2011 at 12:21 AM

Nate, great angle to catch the action. Too bad it was so dark you couldn't get more SS to freeze the wings, but still a terrific shot.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on June 2, 2011 at 5:47 AM

Great stuff ! Jumps off the page.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on June 2, 2011 at 5:54 AM

Super shot Nate!

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 2, 2011 at 6:37 AM

What an amazing shot Nate - dynamic pose combined with the completely open background is quite striking

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 2, 2011 at 7:16 AM

A fine action shot Nate, especially so under the heavy overcast..Excellent POV.
I agree with the others, the wide open BG/setting works very well for this.
Nice one

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 2, 2011 at 7:48 AM

Too cool, despite light conditions, the grey BG works well !
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on June 2, 2011 at 7:50 AM

I can't imagine a better way to show this scene .
Congrats .
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on June 2, 2011 at 9:43 AM

What a amazing angle and with action....Powerful shot.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 2, 2011 at 10:30 AM

Perfect timing! Like the little bit of blur in the wings. Like the surrounding grey as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 2, 2011 at 11:26 AM

Great timing on this one and I like the frontal view with spread wings and tail.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on June 2, 2011 at 12:25 PM

Really nice action Nate. Awesome shot.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on June 2, 2011 at 6:06 PM

Good one, Nate. Can feel the osprey's power.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on June 2, 2011 at 6:32 PM

Super action!! Might work well with a centred comp too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 2, 2011 at 8:05 PM

As has been said, your timing was flawless on this one Nate - catfish in view, head turn and wings in excellent position. Your low perspective makes a huge positive difference for me. I like your comp as is, with the bird left of center.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 2, 2011 at 10:02 PM

Yes, Nate!!!!!!!

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on June 3, 2011 at 7:22 AM

Nate, great action shot in what seems to be really tough light. I'm waiting for one from you of an eagle fighting with an osprey.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments