This is a bit of a serendipitous photograph. I had been photographing landscape subjects since before dawn, but the early light had now dissipated. I figured I was done for the morning, so I shouldered my gear and started ambling in a direction that would take me back to my vehicle. Along the way I saw a little side path marked “dead end” that led toward the water, so I thought I’d take a look. A few feet later I was through some brush and on a rocky beach. A woman was there photographing, and she pointed out two juvenile ospreys at a nest atop a rocky formation just offshore.
Being in no hurry, I decided to stick around, put a long lens on the camera, and see what might happen. I made a few perfunctory “I saw these birds” photographs, but nothing exciting. But sometimes patience pays off and a long wait may (or may not!) be rewarded with a few seconds of something interesting. After waiting a L O N G time, I sensed some tension in the bird on the right — it became a bit more active and stretched its wings. So I started paying careful attention, and a few moments later it suddenly took to the air.
COMMENT OR QUESTION? Scroll down to the comment form.
Prints are available. Read about licensing and print sales.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.
Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.