Osprey over Drakes Estero, new cetacean species discovered

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This osprey snatched what appears to be a smelt out of Drakes Estero in front of me today. The fish was not at all keen on the events as they unfolded. Osprey circled overhead, attempting to re-arrange the fish into an aerodynamic package for transport back to the nest.


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Osprey landed on a post nearby and struggled for a few minutes in a strong and steady breeze, reaching back with beak, trying to move this fish. With talons so long, sharp and curved, it is difficult if not impossible for the bird to let go of prey.


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After a few minutes of pecking, floating up, landing back on post, more struggling, fish was nearly out of energy. Properly packaged, osprey lifted off to deliver this meal to a hungry brood or mate.


Later, I happened upon this never before seen species of cetacean that had beached itself upon South Beach.

I gave it the name Fauxkinghumansea dropmoreplastica. Commonly known as, Blue-bodied toxic reminder

Fauxkinghumansea dropmoreplastica (Blue-bodied toxic reminder)

Fauxkinghumansea dropmoreplastica
(Blue-bodied toxic reminder)

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Oh, after contacting Marin County Parks people to let them know I found one of their swim area buoys, they came out and picked it up. That thing costs over $500. The decals alone are over $100. They used to gather them up each year at the end of swim season, then set them out again after winter. They stopped doing that, though I am not sure why.

Tomales Bay Triptych – Osprey Style!

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It is that time of year. The osprey are back and the sky is full of birds and the sounds of birds.

It was pretty windy so these are not the finest images, but you get the idea of how beautiful these birds are.

Last week I counted 13 birds at one time over my place. Talk about some noise!

Those are not jesses in two of the images below. That bird has one talon draped with eel grass, surely picked up after a dive for dinner.

Yesterday a neighbor of mine that lives across the street from a nest recounted a story from last year.

An adult returned from fishing and dropped a fish into the nest. Both well developed chicks grabbed onto said fish and a struggle for complete ownership ensued. After a while, both birds spilled out of the nest, each firmly grasping the fish in question. After a brief fall, they both started flying away, tethered as one by the none-too-happy fish. After more struggling in mid-air, one of the birds let go and the other bird took off to find a table for one to enjoy the prize.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

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Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

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Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)