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The osprey or more specifically the western osprey (Pandion haliaetus) — also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk — is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.
The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant.
As its other common names suggest, the osprey's diet consists almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialised physical characteristics and exhibits unique behaviour to assist in hunting and catching prey. As a result of these unique characteristics, it has been given its own taxonomic genus, Pandion and family, Pandionidae. Three subspecies are usually recognized; one of the former subspecies, cristatus, has recently been given full species status and is referred to as the eastern osprey.
The osprey is unusual in that it is a single living species that occurs nearly worldwide. Even the few subspecies are not unequivocally separable. There are four generally recognised subspecies, although differences are small, and ITIS lists only the first two.
The osprey is 0.9–2.1 kg (2.0–4.6 lb) in weight and 50–66 cm (20–26 in) in length with a 127–180 cm (50–71 in) wingspan. It is, thus, of similar size to the largest members of the Buteo or Falco genera. The subspecies are fairly close in size, with the nominate subspecies averaging 1.53 kg (3.4 lb), P. h. carolinensis averaging 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) and P. h. cristatus averaging 1.25 kg (2.8 lb). The wing chord measures 38 to 52 cm (15 to 20 in), the tail measures 16.5 to 24 cm (6.5 to 9.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.2–6.6 cm (2.0–2.6 in).
The upperparts are a deep, glossy brown, while the breast is white and sometimes streaked with brown, and the underparts are pure white. The head is white with a dark mask across the eyes, reaching to the sides of the neck. The irises of the eyes are golden to brown, and the transparent nictitating membrane is pale blue. The bill is black, with a blue cere, and the feet are white with black talons. A short tail and long, narrow wings with four long, finger-like feathers, and a shorter fifth, give it a very distinctive appearance.
In flight, Northern Territory, Australia
The sexes appear fairly similar, but the adult male can be distinguished from the female by its slimmer body and narrower wings. The breast band of the male is also weaker than that of the female, or is non-existent, and the underwing coverts of the male are more uniformly pale. It is straightforward to determine the sex in a breeding pair, but harder with individual birds.
The juvenile osprey may be identified by buff fringes to the plumage of the upperparts, a buff tone to the underparts, and streaked feathers on the head. During spring, barring on the underwings and flight feathers is a better indicator of a young bird, due to wear on the upperparts.
In flight, the osprey has arched wings and drooping "hands", giving it a gull-like appearance. The call is a series of sharp whistles, described as cheep, cheep or yewk, yewk. If disturbed by activity near the nest, the call is a frenzied cheereek
he osprey is piscivorous, with fish making up 99% of its diet. It typically takes fish weighing 150–300 g (5.3–10.6 oz) and about 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) in length, but the weight can range from 50 g (1.8 oz) to 2 kg (4.4 lb). Virtually any type of fish in that size range are taken.
Ospreys have vision that is well adapted to detecting underwater objects from the air. Prey is first sighted when the osprey is 10–40 m (33–131 ft) above the water, after which the bird hovers momentarily then plunges feet first into the water.
Occasionally, the osprey may prey on rodents, rabbits, hares, other birds, and small reptiles.
The osprey has several adaptations that suit its piscivorous lifestyle:
reversible outer toes
sharp spicules on the underside of the toes
closable nostrils to keep out water during dives
backwards-facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help hold its catch
dense plumage which is oily and prevents its feathers from getting waterlogged.
The osprey breeds near freshwater lakes and rivers, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters. Rocky outcrops just offshore are used in Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia, where there are 14 or so similar nesting sites of which five to seven are used in any one year. Many are renovated each season, and some have been used for 70 years. The nest is a large heap of sticks, driftwood, turf or seaweed built in forks of trees, rocky outcrops, utility poles, artificial platforms or offshore islets. As wide as 2 meters and weighing about 135 kg, large nests on utility poles may be fire hazards and have caused power outages.
Generally, ospreys reach sexual maturity and begin breeding around the age of three to four, though in some regions with high osprey densities, such as Chesapeake Bay in the U.S., they may not start breeding until five to seven years old, and there may be a shortage of suitable tall structures. If there are no nesting sites available, young ospreys may be forced to delay breeding. To ease this problem, posts are sometimes erected to provide more sites suitable for nest building. In some regions ospreys prefer transmission towers as nesting sites, e.g. in East Germany.
Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
The platform design developed by one organization, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc. has become the official design of the State of New Jersey, U.S. The platform plans and materials list, available online, have been utilized by people from a number of different geographical regions. Osprey-watch.org is the global site for mapping osprey nest locations and logging observations on reproductive success.
Ospreys usually mate for life. Rarely, polyandry has been recorded. The breeding season varies according to latitude; spring (September–October) in southern Australia, April to July in northern Australia and winter (June–August) in southern Queensland. In spring the pair begins a five-month period of partnership to raise their young. The female lays two to four eggs within a month, and relies on the size of the nest to conserve heat. The eggs are whitish with bold splotches of reddish-brown and are about 6.2 cm × 4.5 cm (2.4 in × 1.8 in) and weigh about 65 g (2.3 oz). The eggs are incubated for about 35–43 days to hatching.
The newly hatched chicks weigh only 50–60 g (1.8–2.1 oz), but fledge in 8–10 weeks. A study on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, had an average time between hatching and fledging of 69 days. The same study found an average of 0.66 young fledged per year per occupied territory, and 0.92 young fledged per year per active nest. Some 22% of surviving young either remained on the island or returned at maturity to join the breeding population. When food is scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to survive. The typical lifespan is 7–10 years, though rarely individuals can grow to as old as 20–25 years.
The oldest European wild osprey on record lived to be over thirty years of age. In North America, great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are the only major predators of ospreys, capable of taking both nestlings and adults. However, kleptoparasitism by bald eagles, where the larger raptor steals the osprey's catch, is more common than predation. The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), which is very similar to the bald eagle, may harass or prey on the osprey in Eurasia. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) can be a serious threat to nestlings or eggs if they can access the nest. Endoparasitic trematodes (Scaphanocephalus expansus and Neodiplostomum spp.) have been recorded in wild ospreys.
from Wikipedia
Jedadiah Douglass, signing in from E09, also known as Castral:
(whistling, stops vehicle and gets out) Ah, so here I am on some planet in Andromeda hunting after a duck for some Octan scientist. Ha! Well, I’ll tell you one thing, that duck is very soon going to be toast. Here, ducky ducky duck!
Quack! (that was the duck, not me, btw) Yesh! (darting behind rock)
Those ducks sure do have a way of startling one! Good thing I was able to get under cover before it observed me. Well, well, let’s see how this tranquilizer gun works.
What!? And they said I couldn’t miss with this thing! So much for guarantees…
Here we go again...
Again?! No way! Well, third time’s a charm.
Or maybe not. Fourth? Fifth? He doesn’t even appear to notice.
Well, well, ducky, perhaps this will teach you a little something!
Arrr. I’ll bet he was behind that tree a second ago. No more cover for him!
What? I do declare, I’ve got him! Well Jed, my old boy, you shan’t go home empty handed this time!
Ha, ha! I wonder where the rest of that duck went to though… most likely blown to smithereens. Hmm. I’m not sure the old scientists are going to be very happy. Well, something is better than nothing!
Or not. Tell me that’s not what I think it is.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
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In the early 1950s the Royal Air Force realised that it could streamline its training programmes if jet powered aircraft only were used. As a result of this, a requirement for a new dedicated training aircraft was issued to UK aircraft manufacturers. Originally developed by Percival as a cheap jet-powered derivative of its successful Alvis Leonides, radial-engined Piston Provost, the Jet Provost evolved into an entirely new aircraft. Powered by a Bristol-Siddeley Viper 102 engine, the prototype aircraft (XD674) took its first flight on 26th June 1954. It soon caught the eye of the RAF with its side by side layout and superb handling qualities, and was appreciated enough for the RAF to purchase an initial batch of nine airframes. They were incorporated in a new training syllabus with 2 Flight Training School (2FTS) based at RAF Hullavington, and performed very successfully.
As a result of this the Royal Air Force adopted the Jet Provost and ordered 201 T.3s in June 1959, and announced that the 'JP' would become the standard basic RAF trainer. The T.3's differed from the T.1s in having Martin Baker ejection seats, tip tanks, updated cockpit avionics and a clear-view canopy.
In November 1961 the RAF issued a follow-on order for a further 198 Jet Provosts T.4's. Powered by an updated Rolls Royce Viper 202 instead of the 102 used in the T.3, these were built and delivered by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) until 1964.
In 1967 the RAF made a final order for further JPs, this time 105 Jet Provost T.5s. Two prototypes were built by BAC (XS230 and XS231), and the first of these first flew on February 28th 1967. The T.5 was different from the earlier T.4 with a pressurised cockpit, re-designed windscreen, sliding canopy, longer nose and new wings. Deliveries of this type started in the latter years of the 1960's. Five T.55's were also built and sold to Oman, and the type also enjoyed success in the overseas market with Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Iraq and Venezuela Air Forces.
As a result of the success of the T.5 BAC looked at producing a JP that could also be used as a light attack aircraft as well as a trainer, and the result was the Strikemaster. Changes made to the airframe included 8 stores hard-points underneath the wings, a strengthened airframe and shortened landing gear for use in rough terrains. The prototype Strikemaster first flew in October 1967 and deliveries began as the Strikemaster Mk.80 to the first export customer, Saudi Arabia in late 1968, and many others followed concluding with Sudan in 1984 with the Mk.90.
In 1993 the Jet Provost finally ended its career, spanning over 35 years, with the Royal Air Force. It was replaced by the Shorts Tucano. A number of the surviving aeroplanes were retired and sold into private ownership. As a result, they can now be found across the globe, from the UK to the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Known universally as the 'JP', the Jet Provost helped introduce the concept of all-jet basic training for pupil pilots in the RAF for the first time, and indeed in any air force around the world.
A blue heron stalks its prey in the shallows of the River Almond near Cramond, Edinburgh, Scotland.
I took this image from the riverbank as the heron stalked its prey downstream (you can see that it's mid-stride) and a few bushes came between me and this magnificent bird resulting in a slightly obscured, out-of-focus foreground to the right of the frame.
Arctic or Polar Fox sniffed out a cute little lamb...
Dutch: Poolvos (Vulpes lagopus, Alopex lagopus)
Lapwing hunting on mudflats.
This gorgeous lapwing was hunting along the waters edge on the mudflats. His green back was shining with glossy purple and copper feathers. He was tapping his foot to attract the worms and pull them out of the mud. It was low tide and he was very successful indeed. No wonder he looked so healthy and his feathers were so shiny with such a good food source.
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.
Fox hunting originated in the United Kingdom in the 16th century, but is practised all over the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, and the United States. In Australia, the term also refers to the hunting of foxes with firearms similar to spotlighting or deer hunting.
The sport is controversial, particularly in the UK, where a ban was introduced in November 2004. Proponents see it as an important part of rural culture, vital for conservation and pest control, while opponents argue that it is cruel and unnecessary.
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Tricolored Heron
Merritt Island NWR, Florida
Nature's Photo Adventures: March 2011
I just got back from a three week trip to Florida. Longer than usual because of the workshop and then personal shooting (but still not long enough!) And I returned home to SNOW! Ok, it's not a lot of snow, but it's still hard to take considering that yesterday I was sitting on a beach enjoying the numerous photo opportunities and surrounded by wildlife.
So many things happened on this trip...but even with all the problems, it was one of my best trips to Florida so far. When I arrived, I immediately went through my suitcase to retrieve my tripod, chargers and other photography gear that I was unable to fit in my carry-on. Right away I notice a card. You know...the one that basically says we've opened your bag to screen it as part of the new security measures blah blah blah. Not that I have a problem with increased security. I actually appreciate knowing that I'm as safe as possible. However, I realize instantly why they flagged my bag for closer scrutiny. I had packed my tripod, ballhead, sidekick and WH-200 in that bag because I was already up to almost 50 pounds in my carry-on. Everything was there except my new WH-200. Used twice and now that I'm really excited to use it....it's gone! So the airlines etc were contacted right away and a claim process is underway.
I have to say that Wimberley is a fantastic company to deal with and I wouldn't hesitate to do business with them time and time again. When they were contacted to purchase a new WH-200, they were incredibly fast and had another one in my hands within 24 hours at a greatly reduced cost.
I should have realized that such an immediate problem was a sign of things to come. Bad things happen in three's right? Or in my case I'd be lucky if it was only 3 :)
Title: Hunting the Buffaloe.
Creator: Bowen, John T., approximately 1801-1856? (lithographer)
Date: 1842
Series: History of the Indian tribes of North America, Volume 2
Description: This portrait is part of History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs. Embellished with One Hundred and Twenty Portraits, from the Indian Gallery in the Department of War, at Washington. By Thomas L. M'Kenney [McKenney], Late of the Indian Department, Washington, and James Hall, Esq. of Cincinnati. Volume 2. Philadelphia: Published by Daniel Rice and James G. Clark, 132 Arch Street. 1842.
Physical Description: 1 print: lithograph, part of 1 volume; 52 x 38 cm
File: vault_folio_5_e77_m13_1842_2_000h_opt.jpg
Rights: Please cite DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University when using this file. A high-resolution version of this file may be obtained for a fee. For details see the sites.smu.edu/cul/degolyer/research/permissions/ web page. For other information, contact degolyer@smu.edu.
For more information, see: digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/nam/id/57
View North America: Photographs, Manuscripts, and Imprints: digitalcollections.smu.edu/all/cul/nam
I wished to take this shot since i saw this one.
Hopefully, the space villain of the Serie 3 has a "Terminator" head. I Love it!
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Me and my brother went hunting this day. Heavy storm began and we had to quit. This photo was taken on our way home.
**Photographer: Logan McMahn**
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