It’s hard to get an Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) to cooperate in posing. When I asked this osprey to smile for me this past weekend at Huntley Meadows Park, this was the best look that it would give me, which looks more like a smirk than a smile to me.
I was shooting from quite a distance away, waiting and waiting for the osprey to take flight. The osprey was in no hurry, however, and when I moved on, the osprey was still perched on the branch. I had the impression that the osprey wanted some solitude, because the osprey would periodically glare at me with this look, which suggested to me that my presence was not really welcome.
I am not sure how long the ospreys will remain with us. I have seen them off and on throughout the summer, but have never spotted a nest in the park. As we move into autumn, there will be a big turnover of birds, with some migrating south and others arriving to winter with us in Northern Virginia. Readers will probably notice too a changeover in the content of the blog postings, with fewer insects and more birds.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
This is a wonderfully expressive portrait, Mike. Great capture and so crisp and clear despite the distance. I wonder what the osprey was thinking.
They are so amazing to watch, but sadly they are not really interested in much beyond hunting and food.
It’s rather hard to change your expression when all you have to work with is a fixed beak. About all they can do is to ruffle the head and facial feathers. I wonder if other ospreys can read anything more in what they see in their fellows.
Perhaps that’s what I look like when I’m trying to have a little peace and quiet? Anyway, great photos and yes, a flight shot would have been spectacular, but special moments anyway I’m sure.
Thanks. I tend to be an opportunistic shooter–I shoot what I see and often keep moving to find more action. Some photographers are willing to wait and wait in one spot, but I can only wait so long before I get antsy.