Osprey - What a Sucker!
Published: August 27, 2019
Tags: General Observations, osprey, sucker, greater redhorse, times beach, lake erie
On an otherwise typical and almost dull day of birding, an immature Osprey at Times Beach redeemed my outing and gave me an incredible show he attempted to catch a sucker, later identified as a Greater Redhorse.
The fish was obviously too big and too heavy for the young bird. I rooted for the Osprey - catching myself holding my breath and nearly grunting as it heaved and struggled to gain altitude with its prey. But try as he might, he eventually lost the fish to the cool waters of Lake Erie where the bloodied sucker's wounds were washed and assuaged.
Oh my, what a sucker!
The Osprey plunging into the water for the sucker
He's got the fish and he's coming up with it
Trying to pull it out of the water and he lost his grip on the one foot
That looks better - but sooo heavy!
It looked really hopeful here!
So hard!
Nearly out...
The fish dropped and he looks a little irritated giving me a menacing look!
And off he goes hopefully to find a smaller sucker!