Click image to enlarge
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Osprey.
View from Rooster Rock State Park, Oregon.
Image taken April 24, 2006.
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Osprey ...
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology gives the description of the Osprey ("Pandion haliaetus") as a bird with a
* White breast and belly.
* Black back and wings.
* Long wings, held with wingtips angled slightly backwards.
* Dark eyestripe.
* Crown and forehead white.
* Size: 54-58 cm (21-23 in)
* Wingspan: 150-180 cm (59-71 in)
* Weight: 1400-2000 g (49.42-70.6 ounces).
The sexes are similar with the female being larger and has a tendency to have a fuller and darker chest band.
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"... One of the largest birds of prey in North America, the Osprey eats almost exclusively fish. It is one of the most widespread birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica. ..."
[Cornell Lab of Ornithology Website, 2006]
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Lewis and Clark and the Osprey ...
In their journals Lewis and Clark called the Osprey the "fishing Hawk".
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"... The Aquatic Birds of this country or such as obtain their Subsistence from the water, are the large blue and brown heron, fishing Hawk, blue crested fisher, Gulls of Several Species of the Coast, the large grey Gull of the Columbia, Comorant, loons of two Species, white and the brown brant, Small and large Geese, small and large Swans, the Duckinmallard, canvis back Duck, red headed fishing Duck, black and white duck, little brown Duck, Black Duck, two Species of Divers, blue winged teal, and Some other Species of Ducks, two Species of Plevers.
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[Clark, March 5, 1806]
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"... the fishing hawk with the crown of the head White and back of a mealy white, and the blue crested or King fisher are found on every part of the Columbia and it's waters and are the same with those of the U' States. the fishing hawk is not abundant particularly in the mountains
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[Lewis, March 7, 1806]
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Rooster Rock State Park, Oregon ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Osprey.
View from Rooster Rock State Park, Oregon.
Image taken April 24, 2006.
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Osprey Nest, Coal Creek Slough, Washington ...
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To keep osprey from nesting on the power lines, tall poles and platforms are erected nearby. One such nest is along Coal Creek Slough.
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Click image to enlarge
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Osprey nest, Coal Creek Slough.
Image taken January 28, 2007.
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Click image to enlarge
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Osprey nest, Coal Creek Slough.
Image taken January 28, 2007.
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Click image to enlarge
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Osprey nest, Coal Creek Slough.
Image taken January 28, 2007.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, March 5, 1806 ...
Aquatic Birds of this country or such as obtain their Subsistence from the water, are the large blue [Great Blue Heron] and brown heron, fishing Hawk [Osprey], blue crested fisher, Gulls of Several Species of the Coast, the large grey Gull of the Columbia [most likely the Western Gull], Comorant [Double-crested Cormorant], loons of two Species, white and the brown brant, Small and large Geese [including the Canada Goose], small and large Swans, the Duckinmallard, canvis back Duck, red headed fishing Duck, black and white duck, little brown Duck, Black Duck, two Species of Divers, blue winged teal, and Some other Species of Ducks, two Species of Plevers.
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