Larry Treadwell
August 2026 - Incoming
About the Image(s)
Nikon D850 with Nikkor 200-400 f4 with tc1.4. ISO 320, f5.6, 1/2000 from monopod.
The weather report said gusty winds 20MPH from the south due to approaching off shore tropical depression for the next morning. That can only mean one thing. The Osprey will be fishing at the Sebastion Inlet. Additionally, in means they will strike from the north and will then take off with their catch flying into winds coming from the south. At the inlet, the only place to stand is on the south breakwater so the osprey would be flying straight into my lens. In the car before daylight I made the 2.5 hour drive from home to the inlet so I would be in position when the osprey begin the morning hunt. The only problem was shortly during the night the storm sped up and by daybreak the winds were blowing from the east. This meant the birds would be flying from right to left and NOT into my lens. There were 5 very unhappy photographers standing on the breakwater. For the record If you are coming to Forida to shoot birds and want to photograph Osprey, successfully without chartering a boat, this is the place to come. There were at least 50 osprey soaring over the inlet and diving for fish so there were lots of opportunities. Since I was shooting at infinity depth of field was not an issue, so I could get away with a lower ISO and still have the necessary 1/2000 shutter speed. The only problem tracking the osprey as he dives at 40MPH.
This photo is posted this month for Butch and is the result of a conversation we had last spring.
10 comments posted
Three things jump out at me in this image - First is the pose, i.e., the dramatic V position of the wings and the clarity, sharpness and detail of the eye, the feathers and the talons.
Second is the soft sky- excellent, and third is its simplicity.
I also think images like this encourage over processing - this is not over processed, it's about perfect IMO. The sharpening, saturation, and contrast all appear restrained, and the image has a natural appearance, which is something a lot of us forget about from time to time. All in all, this is a terrific photograph of an osprey with a boffo background - excellent shot Larry
Posted: 08/01/2026 22:02:56
Thanks for the comment on the processing, I was afraid I might have made the bird a bit to bright. The head did not have any blinkies (thank goodness) but i thought the brown wing might be a bit to bright. I did open shadows on his belly just a bit. Did I position him to close to the right edge? Remember he was moving really fast so I was glad I didn't clip him.
Posted: 08/02/2026 19:41:50
(Group 32)
What a fine shot, and as usual a good story of how you got the shot. Not so much about your feelings this time, but a tutorial of how to study the subject and prepare for getting the shot.
Compositionally, I find the bird a bit too close to the right edge. I tried holding up some cardboards to my screen to try to reframe him, but I think he needs all that space in front and below. If you added a bit of space the right with the software, I think the image would be more comfortable on the right. Posted: 08/04/2026 07:24:08
I agree with the other commenters that this is an excellent shot of a difficult subject. I was at Sebastian inlet last spring and I got shot of an osprey, but he was way out there. My only suggestion might be to work on some of the haloing effect on the wing/sky intersection. It is very small, but there. Posted: 08/07/2026 18:04:59
I really love this image at first sight! The diagonal path of the osprey's decisive descent, with its wide-spread talons in anticipation of a catch, gives the image wonderful energy. The clouds breaking apart to reveal the deep blue sky provide a beautiful backdrop for the osprey. The clean background and lack of distractions add to the image's power and drama. Very well done. And, of course the story: the planning, the traveling, the flexibility you showed when the winds changed, you went with it and came out with a very strong image! Posted: 08/10/2026 23:09:41
This is really a striking image (pun intended). Terrific pose with the V shape wings, the tail fanned, talons stretched- and perhaps most importantly is the head and eye. I find osprey are often looking away and you get the back of the head.
I also like how the shape of the wings is echoed in the pattern of the clouds/ sky behind them. Sets them off nicely. I think the brightness of the brown wing helps it to pop against that blue.
I too would like a bit more space on the right if you had it. Posted: 08/16/2026 17:13:32
I like how the clouds form a frame around the osprey and the details are so sharp. Posted: 08/16/2026 18:13:59