Osprey family

As in many places around the United States, thankfully the Osprey population have boomed in New Jersey. In our coastal regions you can stand in the marshes and count the number of Osprey nests the eye can see. More exciting is that most of them are filled with Osprey families this time of year.

.

On this particular night, I had no intention of shooting Ospreys, but when I saw a parent fly in with a fish I knew the family would be preoccupied eating and pay no mind to me framing a shot. Here one of the parents had already left the nest after the fish was delivered. As the babies, who will fledge soon, are picking away at the fish the other parent stands guard. I love this shot, not just for the light, but how it shows the strong bond between parent Ospreys and their offspring. While the background of the sun gives a sense of safety and security to the adult bird who stands guard as the others eat on, interestingly enough it is the bird in the lower left side of the frame that captures my attention. As if the baby is signaling to the parent, hey I am ready to get out there on my own. After this was shot, this baby began practicing its pre flying routine with wing flapping and hopping.

Done