Osprey, One of the Largest Local Birds of Prey

osprey and smelt

Osprey and Smelt [Photo used with permission from Redwood Planet Media]

Ospreys strike and kill more efficiently than most other predators. Over 80% of their attempts result in the capture of a prey. In fact, according to a study by J.M. French, “Ospreys are capable of capturing two fish, one in each foot, on a single dive.”

The osprey captured in the photo above snatched a small fish a few days ago.  “It’s a bit late in the year to have an Osprey hanging around Arcata, but this one seems to have developed a taste for smelt,” tweeted the photographer Alan Peterson who is President and Cinematographer at Redwood Planet Media.

For more of his local wildlife photos, like Redwood Planet’s Facebook page or follow their Twitter feed.

We’d enjoy seeing some of your bird photos in the comment section if you have an image you’d like to share.

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29 Comments
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Talia Rose
Guest
6 years ago

Bald Eagle along Ave of the Giants

J Dubbs
Guest
J Dubbs
6 years ago
Reply to  Talia Rose

Damn! That thing rocks. Never seen one in Humboldt tho.

Jayne Dough
Guest
Jayne Dough
6 years ago
Reply to  Talia Rose

Your wildlife photos are AMAZING!!!! love your shots of birds!!!! Keep ’em coming! Birder from 2002 0n !!!!

Gypsy Rose
Guest
Gypsy Rose
6 years ago

Beautiful photo’s

Thinkingballowed
Guest
Thinkingballowed
6 years ago

Thank you for posting this link. I think I had an instant addiction to the site.

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
6 years ago

Thanks Kym! Nature all around me, and yet I often don’t really understand the amazing creatures that abound. what an impressive bird!!

Alex
Guest
Alex
6 years ago

Marsh Hawk sorting itself out after crashing into a birdfeeder and failing to catch a Blue Jay.
(Outside of Fortuna)

Jayne Dough
Guest
Jayne Dough
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Beautiful!

Stephen Arnett
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Stephen Arnett
6 years ago

Not very clear but took this a month or so ago I was walking back from my sons parent teacher meeting at Dows Prairie caught sight of it looked like a red tail I wanted a better shot but didn’t want it to fly off

BonnieBlueSky
Guest
BonnieBlueSky
6 years ago

Great camera capture of an amazing aerial acrobat. Much appreciation for posting this magnificent photo of an awesome raptor.

TQM
Guest
TQM
6 years ago

Such amazing beauty! Thanks for including these wildlife stories in your news Kym!

TQM
Guest
TQM
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Your wildlife stories inspire me. Thanks again for your high quality journalism.

Rachael
Guest
Rachael
6 years ago

Huge hawk near the airport

;)
Guest
;)
6 years ago
Reply to  Rachael

Yes ive got pics of that one too, super beautiful creature!
Yet another benefit of volunteering to walk shelter dogs!

TQM
Guest
TQM
6 years ago
Reply to  Rachael

OMG what an amazing closeup shot!

nocodeofconduct
Guest
nocodeofconduct
6 years ago

I really enjoy seeing those Sparrow Hawks out by Ferndale! I know they are small but they are fierce, Cool little birds.

Gerald Myers`
Guest
Gerald Myers`
6 years ago

Thanks for the reminder that not all news is bad… one of my most memorable paraglider flights at Elk Mountain (Clear Lake) was when a red tail spotted a thermal for me and started circling as I was sinking out. We flew together on opposite sides of the thermal from 3500 to 7100 feet before he (I think it was a male) took off for other places. I had plenty of witnesses on launch that also enjoyed it.

Perspective
Guest
Perspective
6 years ago

Pretty big smelt that bird has

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
6 years ago
Reply to  Perspective

Seems about average. Are you thinking of night smelt or whitebait? They’re small. We have surf smelt, topsmelt, jacksmelt which are about the size shown. Where was this shot taken? I mean, what dock or whatever. Fun to catch and tasty. Maybe someone will get pics of an osprey trying to haul out a large salmon or steelhead; that would be a rodeo!

Buzzardsnest
Guest
Buzzardsnest
6 years ago

Seen this bird this morning in my neighbors window…

TQM
Guest
TQM
6 years ago
Reply to  Buzzardsnest

hilarious!

Memy Selfandi
Guest
Memy Selfandi
6 years ago

refreshing focus

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
6 years ago
Reply to  Memy Selfandi

You’re really giving us the bird! Or, avian abuse. Did I win a prize?

Buzzardsnest
Guest
Buzzardsnest
6 years ago

Just a little pessimistic humor! The prize is the smile on you’re face!