Check out the link:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/nA3LtXnNIto?feature=player_embedded

They are some big fish for that Osprey.

I stumbled onto that video last week. It is amazing, especially when the osprey goes deep. I like where the osprey has trouble getting airborne because of the weight of the fish. There are some other great video in the same series.

Thanks for posting.

That footage of the flounder kill is absolutely incredible.

Looks the osprey is skateboarding at the end.

If an osprey catches a fish that is to big for the bird to take flight again, it will allow the fish to drown the osprey. Cause the osprey will never let go. I had a guide in Florida tell me that. I have also seen them with flounders as big as trash can lids in there talons.

The video comes from Arkive.com. Here's one where an osprey is attacked by an eagle for its fish.

Osprey attacked by bald eagle for fish

Given the camo on a flounder, laying on a sandy bottom, I'd love to know how the osprey spotted it.

This reminds me of the speculation as to why there were no golden rainbows in one ATW stream section I fish up inNF. Locals said that between the ospreys and bald eagles, they did them in, and they observed at least one of the birds carrying off a big golden the other year. Poor things - not only are they schizophrenic to begin with, but with big birds of prey around, their orange just says "eat me first!".

Many years ago I was suiting up in a remote place on Muddy and talking with a friend next to the stream and we suddenly heard a splash, (sounded like a bowling ball hitting the water), we turned and looked and an Osprey was emerging from the water, Wings pumping as if in slow motion as it rose with a fish...woomph, woomph, woomph.

Coolest birs experience for me thus far. I ahve seen dozens of eagle sightings and ospreys for that matter but not like that. Perhaps it was the "shock and awe" that did it.

Very Cool. Thanks RC.

Quote:

I read they have telescopic vision at as high as 100' and in the case of the flounder the the bird probably noticed its movement.

I wanna know how the cameraman....underwater....knew to focus on that particular flounder and get that shot. and I am guessing with that particular one the Osprey was a captive one and the Flounder war "marked". Meaning the bird handler had the flounder released in the area of focus. The bird attracted to the handler, noticed disturbed flounder.

Its a dog trick.

One forum member reported an osprey with a fish in the Tulpehocken:

Osprey on the Tulpehocken

Really some great vids. I like in the OP's vid how the osprey with the flounder shakes off the water like a dog around the 1:20 mark.

Never had a bird of prey experience on the water. I did get to watch a red-tailed hawk stalk a rabbit. I was in my tree stand about an hour after sun rise. All I had heard so far was birds and the light rustle of squirrels. Then over my shoulder I heard a commotion I knew was no deer. I turned and about 45 yards away I saw the rabbit running bobbing and weaving. It stopped about 20 to 25 yards away. Then b-lined towards my tree. Then I caught the shadow of the hawk. It was out a distance heading down and flying through trees twisting and turning around them. I remained as still as possible. It flew about 10 feet or so away from me at just about eye height.
I lost track of the rabbit and the hawk and don't know the outcome.

I don't hunt anymore. But those quiet mornings when your in the stand before sunrise. Then you get to see and hear it all come alive. I guess my appreciation for nature grew stronger than my desire for hunting.

awesome video, love seeing ospreys, beautiful, predatory birds.....just wish they would practice catch and release fishing