The Osprey

The Osprey Most of you know that I live on the banks of a huge lake. With about four hundred feet of frontage on a cove, I am lucky to experience all sorts of wildlife. In the morning, birds sing, dance, dip and dive, happy at being awake. Ducks, coots, and geese paddle in the water then wander up to my bird feeder, scavenging for kicked-out seed. In the evening, deer peer out of the woods, nibbling corn my husband tosses out. He laughs about putting their carcasses in our freezer for dinner, but I know he enjoys watching them come and go, feeling safe. Today, however, I watched an osprey land on a branch thirty feet off the ground, right outside my study window. Ospreys love Lake Murray for its ample bass population,and the residents love watching these gorgeous birds of prey fly, dive and strategically snare a fish from the water. This one sat for a long time, allowing me to pull out my binoculars. White head and chest. Yellow eyes, curved beak, he watched the water like the hawk he was. The breeze ruffled across his back and rear feathers, and he adjusted his balance a couple of times. But he never took his eye off the water. Ducks swam off to the side. Turtles plopped off logs off to the side as if understanding this bird meant business. Finally he dove, smacking the water with talons, then flew away, his dinner unable to even flop it was so evenly gripped. Ive seen these birds come up empty. Ive seen them attempt three and four times before successfully snaring their food. They never get frustrated. They dont let other animals bother them. The wind can blow one way then another. Regardless, they focus on their mission, and dont leave until theyve won. Osprey are beautiful creatures, living life their way. They dont care who sees them miss. They dont stop until they succeed. And in between their fishing duties, they soar, watching, learning, and enjoying the journey. Try being an osprey.