
Ospreys aren’t usually avid people watchers.

But this guy was!

He couldn’t hide his cross-eyed curiosity about the strange human looking up at him.

Eventually, he resumed more raptor-like disdain,

and went about the serious business of people ignoral.

He focused on anything but the nosy photographer.

Finally, my presence outlived his patience,

and off he flew in a rapturous huff!
Cheers to you from the people-watching osprey~
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Great photos. I love watching the osprey, and occasionally they often watch me, particularly if they are fishing over my kayak.
Oh, I want to go kayaking to photograph you being people watched by osprey!
I’mnot sure if this will work, I was actually standing on shore here, but he was people watching… https://trentsworldblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/osprey-040.jpg?w=1200&h=
Wow, great shot!
Thanks.
<3
He certainly was! Awesome.
Yes, checking out the humans.
<3 <3
Great pictures, I managed to take a lot of pictures on one that was fishing but I was never able to get close to it even with a 150-600 tele lens.
I hear you, birds are tough to photograph, most of this was shot at 1200mm.
I assumed this was your RX10 IV but EXIF tells me it was the HX400V. Maxed at 50X for 1200? Please confirm. Amazing clarity.
P.S. Ospreys and peregrines are personal favorites.
They are both such precision fliers and catchers!
Thank you John. I started the photos at maximum zoom, but slowly and deliberately moved closer and closer, which some birds tolerate. By the time I was closest, I was no longer at full zoom and those photos had the best clarity. Although the photos of him looking at me, were when I first arrived, and he was checking me out to determine if I was a threat. Those photos were all maximum zoom.
The HX400V is very modestly priced in today’s camera world, and your photos are a strong testament to its capabilities. Of course, I always look at the negative reviews first, which EVERY camera has. It still looks like a good camera for me and my mercurial participation in photography.
It is a good camera. The variable zoom and stabilization is what makes it special. Sony has not released a 500, so I wonder if they are discontinuing the series which would be very disappointing to me. The improvements with each new model were impressive. The only downside from my point of view is that it is a rather delicate camera, due to the movement of the zoom, it needs to be handled gently, but this is worth it in my book. I hope you buy one. I want to see your photos!
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
<3 <3
My immediate thought upon seeing the first photo was that now I know what it means to have one’s feathers ruffled!
Laughing…….No wonder you are my friend. Birds of a feather flock…. conjointly 😉
🙂
I never knew an Osprey was cross-eyed! He’s trying to be nonchalant about it, but secretly he’s really checking you out. 😉 Beautiful shots, Cindy! <3
He was totally checking me out, and pretending not too. I remember guys behaving just like him in the olden days! 😉
Great, so it’s come down to predators now lol
Exactly, raptors are my peeps!
🤣
It sure looks like he was looking back at you. Good pics.
Thank you. He definitely was, crossed eyes and all!
You snapped some great photos of him!
He was actually most patient to allow me to.
Cindy, thank you again for your beautiful photos!
Be well Charles & thank you!
You are welcome.
<3
Those are glorious photos! I’ve only had one osprey interaction and that one watched me, too, which made me think that was the norm. Guess I totally lucked out! 🙂
You lucked out, at least according to my experience. This is the only osprey who has ever stared so intently, albeit, cross-eyedly, at me. 😉
That was exactly my experience and it made me so very happy! Glad you had the same.
<3 <3
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Once again, here are more beautiful photos from Cindy Knoke!
People like you, make me love blogging Charles.
Thank you, Cindy!
<3 <3
Of course he was looking at the bird whisperer. They all know they are posing for an outstanding photographer.
More likely Marlene, he was waiting, and hoping, I would stand more directly under him, so he could drop a well warmed fishy gift, right on my upraised head! 😉
You make me laugh. Such a cynic. I’ve never seen one of your photos where you didn’t get the most incredible shot possible. They love you.
Well, the gift could be well intended. You should see some of the gifts my mother in law used to give me!
Awesome photos as usual!
Thank you & cheers to you!
Cindy Wow! Such a stately bird. I didn’t know ospreys looked that way. He’s kind of a cross between and eagle and hawk, but also has his own unique features. Very beautiful. I’m amazed, what wonderful photos.
You are very kind and most appreciated. Ospreys are a weird gimish, but their raptorness is evident in their eyes and talons!
You’re welcome. And I agree. They have that glint!
They do indeed, that “watch out” glint flashing in the sun!
Hehe 🙂
Love the rapturous huff!
Smiling, thank you!
Amazing birds, awesome photos, Cindy!
Aww, so happy you enjoyed & cheers to you!
As usual, great pictures. By the way, what could you have been wearing (or not wearing) that day? Just askin’.
Clever question, red pants. See:
“Distinguishing color is important; even for raptors. Like us, all diurnal birds see in color, because the cones (color detecting cells) that give them such keen eye-sight also allow them to see colors. What role does color play for a raptor? Most importantly, colors allow them to differentiate prey from background, and subtle color shadings increase the probability of prey capture. This is so important that, while humans have three sets of cones, most birds have four sets of cones with one additional set beyond the blue range. Color is also important in reproduction, as nestlings often display brightly colored mouths so that it is easy for parents to feed them.”
Wow what a beautiful creature. Perfectly captured!!
Awwww, so kind and so appreciated too. Cheers to you Michele <3
😘❤️
Awesome. Recently saw (on several occasions) while in the south one perched on a bridge.
It is a thrill to spot them isn’t it!
Absolutely!
<3 🦅
Isn’t he fantastic! 🙂 Wonderful shots. 🙂
I love him to pieces. He’s sort of looks like a Raggedy-Andy-Bald-Eagle! 😉
Wow–what an awesome shot. I’ve never seen an Osprey that close and clear before. So beautiful Cindy!!
Very happy you enjoyed & cheers to you <3
Beautiful photos. Excellent clarity; and good humor. 🙂
Thank you on all counts! Very much appreciated & cheers to you 🦅
Gladly. Thanks! 🙂
<3 <3
Love the pictures and the commentary.🌟
Makes me happy I posted, thank you <3 🦅
Cross eyed curiosity. I wish I had come up with that. 🙂
I am surprised I am not cross eyed, because I clearly am curious 🦅
I like your raptor pun. I guess he flew in a raptUrous huff, in a raptOrous way?
I like yours!!!! <3
If it were not for your magic eye, we could not enjoy these incredible photos. I do not know if the birds are impressive or are your photos that make her look like that.
You are very kind and touch my heart. The birds are definitely impressive. It is when we are able to see them closely that we realize this. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
His expression!! 😂😂
Glad you noticed. Raptors expressions are fascinating and mysterious, and with this cross-eyed stare he just blew me away.
Another great set of amazing bird photos, Cindy!
Awww, thank you very much & be well Peter 🦅
What marvellous photographs. It is great to see such close-up details.
Very pleased you enjoyed & thank you <3
I love that face.
So pleased you do!
Great photos Cindy. I love Ospreys. We have a lot of them here in Florida.
You do indeed. I need to go back to Florida and do some parrot watching!
Saw a ton of them hanging around the other day.
Pull out your i-phone and take some snaps please! I would love to see them.
Ok. Next time I run into them and I have my phone. They were the small green parrot, a flock of them flying around.
Oh good. Thank you!
Beautifully pictured and I loved your whimsical captions
Much appreciated! Thank you Ivor.
Great shots, I think he is just a poser! sure he knows about your beautiful blog, as he is now famous! 🙂
Laughing….His agent, told him, “Get out there, I’ll tip the bloggers off. You’ll get your photos posted!” Priceless.
Aren’t they just magnificent birds and their intent study of of you shows intelligence.
miriam
Yes. Raptors are highly intelligent birds. When I look into wild bird eyes, I see sentience.
As always a delight to view your photos … I’m smiling at the twist of the osprey watching you! Love the last line of ‘rapturous huff’! Just so! 😀
They are funny. They rotate their heads to keep at least one eye on you! Thank you for such a lovely comment Annika <3
Those talons! Once he had you in his grip I should think you’ve had it!
They are such beautiful birds, but I always think their eyes have an almost comedic look to them. Another fantastic picture.
Eagles get this cross-eyed look too sometimes, like they are staring at their own big beaks!
They have such formidable talons. They curl around like matching sets of simitars!
WOW! This is amazing, Great shots, Thank you, Love, nia
So happy you enjoyed the rumpled Osprey Nia & be well my friend <3
Pictures of a magnificent osprey by Cindy Knoke.
Friends like you make blogging a joy <3
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Photos of a magnificent osprey by Cindy Knoke.
Thank you sweet friend & cheers to you <3
WHAT A FANTASTIC SHOOT AND A CLOUDLESS SKY, CINDY, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
Thank you kind friend <3
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
Be well China!
Amazing bird. He tough enough to watch what he wants… as long as he wants.
Exactly. I wish I was that tough!
I’m pleased he kept his distance
I wish he had gotten just a teeny bit closer. I was dive bombed by Harrier Hawks in South America, but I was prepared for it, and wore a thick hat and glasses, and knew when to duck. It was actually exhilarating. This guy I was not expecting to see, so I was not prepared, and hence you really are quite correct <3
🙂
Oh, Cindy, he is magnificent. xxx
<3 my friend who <3 the birdies!
Amazing shots – those eyes!
Cross-eyed, but seeing perfectly! <3
♥
toll, lieb Cindy, mache es gut an diesem schönen Tag
Vielen dank mein lieber Freund <3
pppft what awesome eye expression, and you dear wonder, manage to capture it all for us to see and experience. how is your neck =^_^= ..
I do often develop a crick in the neck! 😉 Thank you for caring & be well my friend <3
WOW! Lovely shots. Thank you Cindy. 🙂
I am happy you enjoyed them & send you cheers my friend <3
what a cutie! I always wonder what animals think when we stare at us……..do they think the same thing when we stare at other people???? or are they thinking meals…like to cook or grill or marinate…with or without a side dish….. ???????
I like this idea. Him thinking, “She seem to big to kill outright, but I wonder if I could just take a couple of tasty bites!” 😉
Magnificent birds and incredible images – thank you again for such awesome pictures!
Thank you much more Sheila, for your thoughtful appreciation <3