Osprey

 

Anastasia State Park

Saint Augustine Florida USA

Not only a beach for marine environment protection of turtles and tortoises, but also a perfect place to observe Osprey, and witness their fishing techniques. Some individuals perform dramatic vertical dives hitting the water with a huge splash and often coming out very wet before performing their in air shake to expel water - often without a fish to show for their endeavors. Then there is the low skim just dangling the feet in the water, to come up stealthily behind the fish, catching it perfectly with the head facing forward the correct way for an aerodynamic flight. When captured in the reverse position tail forward, or as they occasionally do, sideways; the bird has real difficulty maintaining straight flight or may even drop the struggling prey.

Then there is the low skim over the water just dangling their feet.

In addition to Osprey, there are many other raptors that search the dunes. Two New World Vultures and the agile Red-shouldered Hawk

                 

above: Turkey Vulture center and Black Vulture

below: Red-shouldered Hawk 

is a very active hunter of the sand dune area were it takes lizards, small mammals and birds  

     

In December, shorebirds (below) numbers are increasing as the northern temperatures decline.   Semipalmated Plover, in the thousands feeding on small crustaceans. There are also a few Wilsons amongst them. Find the Dunlin and Sanderlings in the picture below.

Wilson's Plover 
Note heavy bill 

Dunlin above. Willet below.

,

Below: Brown Pelican



Fish are in abundance at the State Park, therefore their predator bird species too. Pelicans, Gulls and Tern are prevalent. There is the occasional appearance of Herons such as the rare Tricolored.
                                     

Above: Tricolored Heron 

Below: Juvenile Royal Tern after a short chase with a very-much-alive and kicking fish deposited by the adult Terns on the beach near their offspring.