It is now the second week of September. Osprey chicks have (substantially) fledged and are hunting on their own. Consequently, the adults have to feed only themselves and, after catching a fish, often stop on a snag to eat. The adults start heading south next week and all soon will be gone.
It is fun to see these end-of-the-season fish feeds.
An adult osprey has paused on the branch of snag to feed on its freshly caught large-scale sucker, which it eats head first. For a short time, it tried to stare me down when it found me watching.
However, I (apparently) was not viewed as a threat, and it was hungry, so, soon it was back to feeding.
Splendid photos! On our way along the Coquihalla Hwy towards Kamploops we spotted an Osprey pair in their nest. Always a grand sight!
Alistair, I have a theory that the lion’s share of fish caught by foraging birds, are course fish, such as Pike Minnow, Suckers of various kinds and other small minnows rather than various Trout species. I have observed a Heron once and a few Osprey take or feed on Cutthroat along St Mary River but far more often I’ve seen them with course fish. The same is true with photographs over the past 10 – 15 years, I’ve rarely seen them with game fish and most often with members of the sucker or minnow family.
What is your take on this?
Bill, the number of occasions that one sees an osprey packing a fish, let alone an identifiable one, are few. However, my evidence is consistent with your suggestion that osprey are partial to suckers, but I have seen them with kokanee. The bias toward suckers may be that, being a slower moving fish, they are easier to catch.
Great shots Alistair. Also liked the beaver closeup on your header. Your love for nature and her creatures is so inspiring, thank you for sharing your beautiful life’s work in these ways.