The poofy clouds covered the brIght, blue sky as I pulled my car to the edge of the quiet lake.  I wasn’t sure if I would see any wildlife to photograph, but I thought I would give it a try.  It turns out, there were osprey, a great blue heron, turtles and a few different types of ducks.  They were on the other side of the lake, but since I was using my zoom lens, I had hoped I would be close enough to get sharp images.  

There must have been hundreds of turtles (yes, I’m exaggerating) lined up on logs and sitting on little piles of branches in the water.  They were precious and I’d never seen anything like it.

I was focused on the turtles, when all of a sudden, an osprey came into my view.   He was hovering over Turtle Town, then swooped down under the water to get a fish, right in front of the turtles. 

• 

• 

Unlike other raptors, an osprey, also known as the sea hawk or fish hawk, can actually dive into the water to capture the fish, instead of only catching it from the surface. I love learning about this bird of prey, because it’s in a category of its own. (kinda like I am, haha.)

The osprey tried to fly away with dinner, but the fish was flapping back and forth and landed back into the water.  He was a big fish and was not about to sit on a sushi plate for dinner, so he flapped his fishie body until…he didn’t.

The osprey was aggressively fighting the fish and it created a spectacular show for me, that I almost forgot to raise the camera and snap.   He sat for a minute and I figured he had the fish, but was exhausted and probably pissed off.

• 

• 

All of the turtles stopped what they were doing, little heads popped out and enjoyed front row seats to the show.  The ducks couldn’t care less.  I think the turtles were taking bets on who was going to win; the osprey or the fish.

Eventually, the tired raptor flew out of the water, his talons refusing to let go.  Take a good guess who lost the battle. The gambling turtles should have known not to bet against a bird of prey.  They will win every time.

• 

• 

• 

When an osprey catches a fish, it turns the fish around so it faces in the same direction they are flying. I’m pretty sure, he was more focused on getting dinner home on time for the Mrs. and not caring so much about the fish head.

• 

• 

Once he flew past me, I turned the camera back on the turtles.  They had gone back to their business, hovering together, families chillin’ out and trying to keep their babies from swimming away.   They were precious, and I was fascinated.  I wanted to jump into the water and play with them, but I didn’t want to get my hair wet. 

As I was taking more photos of the turtles, something flew passed my lens.  It had long, skinny legs, big blue wings and a huge beak.  It was a great blue heron.  It flew low to the water and close to the turtles.  They paid no attention as the heron landed on the edge of the water, in the bushes behind them. It was exhilarating to watch this majestic creature. 

• 

• 

• 

Another osprey, perched way up high in a tree, was paying attention to his surroundings. I kept telling him where the fish were and to fly near me, but it wasn’t happening on my watch. Since I wasn’t standing anywhere near the tree, I was pretty certain, he just couldn’t hear my whispers.

• 

I was considering going somewhere else to continue my adventure, when I heard an osprey call out to his friends. Before I could even look up to see where he was, he flew right over my head with a fish dangling from his talons. I took as many photos as I could, just in case I caught a snap of the fish falling, which seemed to be a common occurrence this year.

• 

• 

• 

It was a wonderful adventure.  I was hoping to get a few shots of the buffleheads and wood ducks but they never swam close enough to me.  I was so disappointed.  But, I was able to snap a red-necked grebe with fish hanging out of his beak.  I only wished he was closer to me.   The other two ducks were male and female common mergansers. Usually, the male is prettier with a lot of species, but I’m happy to report, this duck loves redheads.

• 

• 

The clouds were overtaking the blue sky, so it was time to go.   Before I leave, I always thank the wildlife for allowing me to photograph them.   It’s just something I’ve always done. 

I got back in my car, put my camera down and watched the existence of wildlife in front of me.   Strangely, I wondered what they were all going to do now that the sun was setting. Oh, and also wishing I had the gear to photograph in the pitch black.

The turtles were in their element, the osprey flying by and the duckies quaking and floating in pairs.  I realized how grateful I was to live in the Inland Northwest and see such an amazing variety of species, no matter where I traveled to. 

I put my car in gear and was about to pull out.  I’m known as the photographer who misses opportunities that happen right in front of my face.  I do what’s called “chimping.”  I’m always checking to see if I got the shot.  And, trust me when I tell you, I’ve probably missed more photo opps than I care to admit.

An osprey, who couldn’t get any closer, flew right in front of my car and swooped down and got a fish. It was over in a matter of seconds. All I was able to shoot was him flying in front of me.  

It’s as if he knew I was leaving.  I could wait all day for the perfect shot and when I finally pack my gear and get ready to leave, woop, here they come! “Yea, I’ve said enough on that subject,” she said bitterly with a cracked smile.

I rolled my eyes, laughed and drove away,  knowing I was going to return again and see what else was out there.   I do love adventures.

Maybe I won’t chimp next time, and keep my head up, so I can see the wildlife enjoying themselves..   That is, if they make an appearance while I’m there, with my camera.

Just keep snapping.

Allie Raye