43
Osprey with its catch, Shellmaker Island, Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve, Orange County, California
(lemmy.world)
Lighting, background and subject matter came together on this one, I was just there to record.
I’ve watched osprey hunt in the Everglades and these birds don’t eff around. Watching them soar, dive, takeoff out of the water and fly around with massive fish held in their talons is incredibly impressive. I never thought much of them until I saw them in person and now they’re one of the coolest animals in my opinion
Fishing machines. Talons adapted to hold sides of fish, hold head forward so more aerodynamic in flight, ratcheted so uses no strength to clutch but only to release. Holding fish head forward also helpful taking off from water after strike, fish swimming motion trying to escape gives forward energy. So cool.