How to Take Great Photos of Osprey
Photography How To
TrueToad
I enjoy sharing knowledge of photography. When I am out in the field I am sometimes approached with various inquiries, probably due to my camera setup. A tiny mirrorless with a big lens on the end. My latest question was about Osprey, Hey, where are the Osprey at? For Osprey you need access to areas where freshwater fish thrive. An Osprey feeds solely on fish or at least I never seen them take other prey. If you can drive to fresh bodies of water during April - July you most likely will find Osprey nearby.
Let me explain the lead photo, it is of a Cooper's Hawk, so why include it here? This is to demonstrate you can obtain great photos with a small lightweight set up. This Cooper's Hawk was taken with a Nikon 1 camera and lens - Link Below.
That being said, we will concentrate on OSPREY Photos: some of my recommendations ring true for other raptors such as Eagles, and Hawks, and even the turkey vulture.
Location: First the Osprey (Fish Hawk) is a fish eater, and this means this bird needs to be near a body of water with fish in it, necessary for survival and young raising. Osprey also migrates and the species is a widely distributed raptor which makes finding Osprey is somewhat easier than say an Eagle. Here in Northern Virginia, the Osprey can be found to occupy most areas around the Potomac River region from Early April through late September. Your best bet for getting the best photos is during this period especially during the nesting season (April - May)
If you missed the breeding season, and show up late June, you have a few treats in store. The young have fledged or about to. Unlike the parents, the young Osprey are more tolerant of humans and also have spectacular plumage, and normally nice and fat.
So how do you get close to non-nesting Osprey?
Osprey needs food, and this means if you are patient and find a favorite feeding spot - it is a matter of time. A sure sign is when you see the Osprey kind of circle above an area then slow down- this is an indication of a pending fish dive - and all the while you should be snapping photos.
Practice: More than anything you need to practice with your gear and also your technique. I recommend trying A setting with an ISO of 800 on bright days for birds in flight and Also experiment with the auto ISO settings.
More links
- Nikon 1 V3 SystemThe Nikon 1 V3 System
- Nikon 1 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR ReviewNikon 1 Lens For Birds