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Home arrow The Sociable Nest arrow Fun Chasing Ospreys
Fun Chasing Ospreys PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jean   
Tuesday, 26 January 2010

It was one of those days on the dam where you, as a guide, breathe a big sigh of relief when the guests get on board displaying a bird book because there is not going to be much else (apart from great beauty) out there. Wind, waves (even the hippos sleep deep to avoid the rough) and cool means few of the big and hairys will be out on the shore.

Anway the guest were enjoing just being out there and oohing and aahing over the featherd kind - although we did not see anything spectacular untill right near the end of the cruise. Suddenly the one guest shouts "Is that an Osprey? I have never seen one" with great excitement.

Truly it was an Osprey trying to hunt in those conditions, poor thing. We watched it cruise past us diving and missing a catch every now and again. As it moved into the distance my guests went "That was so special. I whish we could do it again". In a moment of madness (probably due to my "empty nest syndrome" - the tawny chick has well and truly flown the nest) I decided to try and replicate the experience for them and turned the boat  heading for deep water and picking up speed well away from shore to avoid disturbing anybody/thing. We belted back up the dam and got well ahead of the osprey, parked the boat and the bird obligingly repeated the experience once again for the guests.

» 6 Comments
1Comment
at Tuesday, 26 January 2010 15:17by Jay
Brilliant stuff, Jean, you are the kind of guide people dream of ;-)) having seen an Osprey also only for the first time recently I can just imagine how special it must have been for your guests to see it not only once but 2x!!!
2Comment
at Wednesday, 27 January 2010 05:29by MarcellC
Jean always has been a brilliant guide :) 
 
During the time I worked at Tembe, I went to Bonamanzi for a break and went on a night drive with Jean as guide - brilliant!. Just came across this in my notebooks the other day...was 2001!
3Comment
at Wednesday, 27 January 2010 07:21by wildtuinman
Oh wow! 
 
Small world, hey? 
We birded with Jean in January last year in Kruger. And she has some serious sharp eyes. Our nightdrive sightings were thanks to her! Just a pity she took photos of me having an afternoon snooze in the back of the game drive vehicle. LOL! 
 
It is always great to see an Osprey hunt. I was fortunate to see it a few times this December in durban.
4Comment
at Wednesday, 27 January 2010 08:11by Laine
very small world indeed! 
 
my first Osprey sighting was a successful fishing expedition! *cool* 
 
and it's a sight never to forget... :-)) well done on you for giving them the experience again!
5Comment
at Wednesday, 27 January 2010 10:21by Jean
Hi Marcell - that was a while ago - used to love those night drives
6Comment
at Thursday, 28 January 2010 08:38by MarcellC
they were great yes. I remember the one night the vehicle was full and I was in the back and you said; to keep all voices down...questions in the back to Marcell and in the front to me (you). well entertaining :)
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