Osprey Magic

Had the good fortune to watch the only member of the family Pandionidae (an osprey) with fish fly over our head and land in front of us,and eating it. After a while it was mobbed by a crow and as it took off it was than mobbed by a stilt and than a kite.
It didn't loose its meal to the kite, and was seen feeding on the fish a mile or so from the original feeding perch.



While flying with a fish it keeps the head of the fish forward, 
To reduce drag and thereby reducing the effort required to fly.

















The Osprey and Owls are the only raptors whose outer toe is reversible, 
allowing them to grasp their prey with two toes in front and two behind.
This is particularly helpful when they grab and carry slippery fish.









To reduce its weight it usually removes the waste products before taking flight.