The months before summer family beach season I spend some time scouting new locations and photographing wildlife. Today in Perdido Key I got the chance to observe and photograph an osprey fishing in Big Lagoon at Perdido Key, Florida. I had to heavily crop most of these photographs so the image quality isn't up to high standards. I want to more focus on the behavior and action.

Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida

As you can see from this series of photographs the osprey will scan the water for fish. The picture above the raptor spots a fish and positions itself for a dive.

Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida

The osprey starts the dive head first towards the fish. It folds its wings to gain speed. At the last second the osprey thrusts its talons out and lands on the fish feet first. They can become completely submerged under water. 

Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Once the osprey grasps the fish, it then needs to fly off with the catch. Sometimes it is too big and they simply can't fly off with the catch. This one caught a nice sized mullet and it had no trouble flying away. The bird will position the fish head first when flying with a fish. At this point the osprey started to fly away from me. Luckily, the raptor was taking a wide turn and gave me a great flyby. I just wish it flew just a little bit closer for more detailed shots.

Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Perdido Key Wildife PhotographerOsprey on a fishing dive in Perdido Key Florida Bonus Pics!

After the osprey flew off with its catch, I spotted another osprey in the lagoon taking a quick bird bath. I have seen videos of this behavior but haven't seen it in person.