Osprey at Winding Hills Park

Osprey in flight over Winding Hills Park, 8/11/13.

Last Sunday, Tricia and I went for a paddle in the kayaks to Winding Hills Park in Montgomery NY. We like to go there for a relaxing paddle; it is very beautiful and the sunsets can be amazing. For birding, it is usually not that great – there is usually at least one Great Blue Heron Present and we have had Spotted Sandpipers there from time to time. Eastern Wood Peewees can be heard and sometimes seen, and Tufted Titmice and a number of other song birds can usually be counted on. On this day, as soon as I got out of the car the first thing I noticed was an Osprey fishing on the lake. I had never seen one there before and I am thinking that this bird was making a stopover during its migration. I took a bunch of photos while the light was good and then afterwards, Tricia and I just relaxed, floating around the lake in our kayaks and enjoying the sunset.

*Click on photos to enlarge*

OSPREY, WINDING HILLS PARK – 8/11/13

This was the Osprey's favorite perch, it kept returning to it... — This was the Osprey’s favorite perch, it kept returning to it…

...then it would take off again in search of a meal. — …then it would take off again in search of a meal.

This Osprey did not catch a single fish while we were there, but none of the people fishing from the shore caught anything either, so maybe it wasn't the bird's fault. — This Osprey did not catch a single fish while we were there, but none of the people fishing from the shore caught anything either, so maybe it wasn’t the bird’s fault.

In this shot the Osprey is flying away from me, but I still like it - the water exploding off the bird and the talon all balled up. — In this shot the Osprey is flying away from me, but I still like it – the water exploding off the bird and the talon all balled up.