OspreyA young osprey (Photo David Murray)

The Fish Hawk Profile

Large, long-winged bird with a wing span of 48-68 inches, and a wing that shows a distinct bend at the "wrist" when soaring, Ospreys are predominately dark brown with whitish underparts. The head is white with a dark brown band through the eye and along the side of the face. Males are usually all white below and females have a distinct necklace of dark streaking. Immature birds, as the one pictured here, are pale buff colored in the areas that are white in adults.

Osprey winter in the Gulf Coast and from California south to Argentina, from spring to fall the northeast has many seasonal residents. Shortly after arriving in Maine, the task at hand is to establish the summer residence. The Osprey nest is a bulky stick structure built in dead trees, on rock cliffs, in large marker buoys, and on man-made poles or platforms. The nest is always near salt or fresh water. Ospreys eat fish exclusively, which they catch by hovering over water until a fish nears the surface. It will then plunge feet-first into the water grasping the fish with its talons. The Osprey has feet designed for this type of fishing and have soles equipped with sharp, spiny projections that grip their slippery prey.

Photographing on kyew

The early to mid-morning hours and again late in the afternoon are the best times to see and photograph these birds. This is when they are most active, and the photographic light is at its best. I took this image in August along Trout Brook Stream in Baxter State Park. It was about 7:00 a.m. as my canoe silently drifted down the stream, amidst the early morning fog, heading toward Mattagamon Lake. Off in the distance the distinct kyew kyew kyew of an Osprey cracked the morning silence. Rounding a bend in the stream offered a unique photo opportunity as this immature Osprey nervously perched on a limb extended over the water. The youngster was desperately calling to its mother who answered from the nest atop a large dead spruce tree from the other side of the stream. Apparently this was junior's first flight and the bird was hesitant to launch itself off the limb on which it had landed. The canoe drifted closer and the sound of my camera motor drive joined the loud whistle of the young Osprey.

Photographing from a canoe is difficult due to the movement and unsteadiness. I was able to achieve sharp images by using a fast shutter speed. A 35mm camera with a 300mm lens created the right combination for this subject. Opening the lens to the largest aperture, in this case Ÿ/4, allowed the largest amount of light to reach the film. This paved the way for a fast shutter speed to compensate for any movement in the canoe. In this case, setting the 300mm at Ÿ/4 allowed for a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second. The rule of thumb, to achieve a sharp hand-held image, is to shoot at a shutter speed that is equal to or faster than the size of the lens. For example, if the size of the lens is 300mm than the shutter speed should be 1/300 or faster. Where most cameras don't have a 1/300 shutter speed setting 1/500 would be the next fastest speed available. The lens aperture, or Ÿ-stop number, controls the amount of light that passes through the lens. These numbers are located on the barrel of your lens. The smaller the Ÿ-stop number the larger the aperture opening and the more light allowed to enter through the lens. To better understand this you can take the lens off your camera, hold it up to the light, and while looking through the lens turn the aperture ring on the lens barrel. As the aperture ring turns, the aperture curtain opens and closes, the effect is like looking through a kaleidoscope. This is how the lens aperture controls the amount of light reaching the film. The Osprey is a joy to watch and listen to as it soars and circles high in the sky. Currently listed as a threatened species, people are the greatest threat as we continue to diminish habitat and pollute our waters. It is important for all of us to help maintain wildlife habitat and ensure that the Osprey will continue to visit us each spring.

Good shooting! For comments or questions: P.O Box 273, Southport, ME 04576 e-mail: dmurray588@aol.comVisit www.davidamurray.com for the Gallery, Stock Portfolio, Outdoor Writing, The Maine Country Store, and more!