Osprey Talons

[Donkees]

Brian@balail

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Those are some scary talons! Great photo. nt

[MOMFUDSKI]

2. Great pic!

There is a bridge on Treasure Island where I live and 2 osprey set up a nest on the tallest pylon 2 years ago. So the city moved the nest last summer to a bit lower pylon off to the side of the bridge. We drove over the bridge an hour ago and BOTH osprey parents were on the nest! They accepted the new spot and everyone is happy. Love them

[SarahD]

6. Casual about people.

There is an osprey nest at the Flamingo visitor center in Everglades National Park. The nest is only about 12 feet above the pier, but the birds don't care about humans walking around under them. Been a few years since I was there, but I assume the nest is still active.

[2naSalit]

3. Fish hooks.

[Enter stage left]

4. Were you aware that when a Osprey strikes a fish...

One of the 3 talons you see in the picture actually rotates backward so the bird is striking with 2 talons on each side of the fish.

I've seen numerous osprey catching numerous fish over the last 40+ years. They are amazing fishermen.

A few days ago a question was asked on DU, "If you could be any wild animal, what would you be?" I answered a osprey, because I love the flight of birds, and I've been an avid fly-fisherman for almost 60 years.

[Deuxcents]

5. Did not know that. I've seen them in action but this makes it even more interesting

[MOMFUDSKI]

7. Didn't know that. I have seen them overhead

with their catch wiggling.

[pansypoo53219]

8. fish are slippery.

[AllaN01Bear]

9. if those talons latch onto u, u goto hospital. 500 lbs psi crushing force .

i met a tuolumne county animal control officer and he said he had talons into his arm. he went to hospital and the docs pulled the talons from out of the officers arrm w pliers .