A fish carrying Osprey soars across Tallow Creek as the sun sets heading for a night perch.
Ospreys have several morphological adaptations to their unique fish-eating lifestyle. These adaptations include relatively long legs for a raptor, spiny footpads called spicules, long, sharp, curved claws, and a reversible outer toe to aid in gripping slippery fish. In addition, ospreys have dense oily plumage and efficient nasal valves that prevent water from entering the nostrils when the bird dives to catch a fish.
The Osprey has oily plumage, so that when it dives or plunges under the water for fish, its feathers become less wet and it can take off again. It does not need to spread its wings to dry, unlike cormorants.
Canon 50D, EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM