On the beach...Predator and prey...

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Crystal Cove State Beach is located just north of Laguna Beach. It is 3.5 miles of superbly protected beach and coastal chaparral. The photo opportunities are limitless. While walking north on the beach I came across this Osprey devouring its' prey right on the sand. I have seen a ton of Ospreys in flight carrying fish in their talons but have never had the opportunity to observe one eating. This bird was in no mood to be messed with and while he let me photograph him at a respectful distance, looks like this told me "...stay right where you are, come no closer...".

Osprey on the beach.jpg
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D5 1/3200 @ f 8.0 ISO 640 200-500 Nikkor @ 500mm
 
Crystal Cove State Beach is located just north of Laguna Beach. It is 3.5 miles of superbly protected beach and coastal chaparral. The photo opportunities are limitless. While walking north on the beach I came across this Osprey devouring its' prey right on the sand. I have seen a ton of Ospreys in flight carrying fish in their talons but have never had the opportunity to observe one eating. This bird was in no mood to be messed with and while he let me photograph him at a respectful distance, looks like this told me "...stay right where you are, come no closer...".

View attachment 30583

D5 1/3200 @ f 8.0 ISO 640 200-500 Nikkor @ 500mm
Gary, that is a great shot! Well done👍👍👍
 
That looks like a pretty big fish for an osprey, it's possible it was too big for him to get up to a perch and getting it to the beach might have been his only option. Well done an the photo, love the low angle.
Thanks Warren. The low angle is an approach that someone named Steve taught me on one of his workshops (after he told me enough times I finally caught on). I think you're right about the fish being too large for the osprey to take to a perch to consume.
 
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