Osprey Drama!

[OBX Boater]

This was the same evening as the sunset photos I just posted from July 29th. It was later, so the light was failing me, but I had to get this recorded! These two guys were fishing for trout near the osprey's nest using floating lures. There was only one baby osprey on the nest, with mama, poppa and the other baby near by on a wharf. The baby saw that lure, thought it was an easy meal, and swooped down in a second and snatched it up. It got caught in the baby's leg and the bird immediately dropped to the water. I was afraid that the guy would just cut the line. Then it was obvious that he was going to unhook the bird as quick as he could. Then I was afraid the line would break. After a couple of trys to fly, the bird settled down and let the man approach it. That man had a ton of courage and skill, and after a few minutes he had removed the hook and released the bird. The bird was so wet it had trouble flying, but the man kept assisting and after a few more minutes it was able to get airborn and headed right back to the nest. During all this, mama, papa and the other baby were screaming and yelling their lungs out. They were so worried! As soon as the hooked baby got back in the air, mama osprey took off and went to check on her baby.
The now free baby landed back on the nest and started the drying out process, fluttering it's wings. It looked tired from the ordeal. There were about 20 people watching the event and when the man got the hook out and released the bird a huge cheer was given. That man deserves special recognition for his courage, skill and efforts to release the osprey as unharmed as possible. I wonder how long the osprey will remember that episode, lol.

 

[robedney]

Great pics and a great story. We have a few around here and they're beautiful animals. They also have serious claws and beaks -- it would indeed take some courage to get in close like that!

 

[Chesagansett]

Wow! That's a big baby! I'd hate to get attacked by it's PO'd mama.

 

[psalzer]

Skeeter, great photos and a great story....a nice way to start my day!!!!

 

[C team]

Great pictures as always and a great ending to the story.

 

[rythmstrat]

Wow! Great pictures, great story. Likewise, an excellent way to start my day.

 

[rnbenton]

Outstanding ................... on all levels!!

Bob

 

[MikeeH]

Skeeter, thanks for the photos and the stories. We have loads of Osprey here but I don't believe I would have had the skill or the guts to free the bird if I was in that situation. The guy in the photos is to be commended.

 

[About Time]

WOW
Great story Thanks

 

[SLW]

I really needed that story! I've been a little disgusted with mankind in the past few days. This will send my wkd off to a much better start. Thanks for sharing.

 

[David M]

quote:

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Originally posted by SLW

I really needed that story! I've been a little disgusted with mankind in the past few days. This will send my wkd off to a much better start. Thanks for sharing.

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+1

I hope you send those pix and story to the local paper. They are good.

 

[getakey]

quote:

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Originally posted by KiDa

quote:

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Originally posted by SLW

I really needed that story! I've been a little disgusted with mankind in the past few days. This will send my wkd off to a much better start. Thanks for sharing.

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+1

I hope you send those pix and story to the local paper. They are good.

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Great story/pics. Great idea on the paper

 

[freckles]

Kudos to the fishermen and the photographer! That first pic is fantastic!

 

[robedney]

Hey, look at the third pic down. Looks like those two guys are twins.

 

[Chesagansett]

6th and 7th photo look like Rodan emerging from the sea, readying itself to fight Godzilla!

 

[speedo]

Fantastic photo essay, Skeeter! Good on the guys for taking care of the problem. It must have been quite a challenge.

Two "educational thoughts" since this is BoaterEd. First don't use a floating Rapala lure around Osprey nests and second, if you find yourself needing to rescue a bird in this situation, a towel would come in handy to try to wrap it up and immobilize it while removing the hooks. (It worked when my cat attacked an M-15 Flatfish in my dining room. Didn't know there was a problem until I heard the drag on the reel... then I heard the cat!)

 

[jtybt15]

Yeah! Great story. Same thing happened to me but with a brown pelican. Pelicans be my bird so I was gonna take care of it. Trouble is, the pelican didn't know that. Had to be careful of wing hits to the head[:I] You's be surprised how light an big bird like a pelican is.

 

[rawidman]

quote:

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That man deserves special recognition for his courage, skill and efforts to release the osprey as unharmed as possible.

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Yes he does and it's great that he saved the bird.

He also probably violated Federal law by doing so.

 

[OBX Boater]

Thank you very much for the kind comments, everyone!

 

[Veg]

Great story, great pics! I've emailed the link to this thread to a few friends.