Ollie the Osprey & Lessons from the Lagoon - May 22, 2025

Yesterday, after a long workday, I found myself craving nature like a deep breath. I had no specific plan—just a yearning to practice some spring baby photography and videography. The evening was supposed to be simple, maybe quiet. But nature had something else in store for me.

After dropping off a few little ones at a rehab facility, I decided to take the scenic route home, passing by a local migration lagoon. I wasn’t intending to stop—but then I saw him. A bird hovering, completely still except for his wings, right above the water. My first thought? Falcon. But no—this was an Osprey. My first Osprey. And just like that, he became Ollie.

Ollie the Osprey was magnetic. He circled, he hovered with precision, and then—he dove. A flash of feathers and spray, and up he came, triumphant with a fish in his talons. I was jumping up and down like a kid on Christmas morning. Then, as if scripted, he flew right over me. It was windy, and you could see the effort it took to hold steady. I said "hi" out loud, and I swear he looked right at me. Wild animals don’t wave—but that glance felt like a greeting.

Did You Know?

Ospreys are one of the few birds of prey that are almost exclusively fish-eaters. Their talons are uniquely adapted for fishing: they have reversible outer toes and barbed pads on their feet to help grip slippery fish. They can even close their nostrils to keep water out when they dive! You’ll often see them hovering before diving feet-first into the water with astonishing accuracy—like Ollie did. Ospreys are found on every continent except Antarctica, and their ability to thrive near water makes them a symbol of wild, clean ecosystems.

And then it happened.

From nowhere, a bald eagle came barreling in like a fighter jet, snatched Ollie’s hard-earned catch mid-air. Ollie tried to hold on, but the eagle was too powerful. It wasn’t a fight—it was a heist. I didn’t even have time to track where the eagle came from. I turned my head, and BOOM—he was just there. Ollie, stunned, fishless. He looked like he needed a moment to process. Honestly? Same.

Did You Know?

Bald Eagles, majestic as they are, have a reputation as opportunistic hunters—meaning they’ll take an easy meal whenever they can. While they’re skilled fishers in their own right, they often steal food from other birds like Ospreys. It might sound unfair, but in the wild, efficiency is everything. That dramatic mid-air fish snatch from Ollie? Classic bald eagle move. And yes, it happens more often than you'd think!

But here’s the part that moved me most: Ollie didn’t give up. He shook it off—literally—and headed right back over the lagoon, scanning for his next opportunity. As he glided low, he stirred up mallards and gulls. Every so often, they’d take off in a flurry and return once he passed. The balance, the patience, the persistence—it was breathtaking.

Did You Know?

Ospreys have incredibly powerful wings that can span up to 6 feet, allowing them to hover like helicopters and soar long distances over water. Their wing strength is key to their fishing success, helping them lift off from the water while carrying heavy, wriggling fish. Their striking coloring—dark brown above and white below with a distinct dark eye stripe—helps them blend into both the sky and water, making them efficient predators and hard for fish to spot from below. Nature built them for the hunt!

I was so mesmerized that I missed capturing Ollie's second dive with my camera. Some moments are too good to filter through a lens, I guess.

As if that wasn’t enough magic for one night, a Great Blue Heron appeared near the log where I’d settled in. He moved through the golden light like a painting come to life. I watched him stalk the shallows and strike twice—first a small fish, then one so big I couldn’t believe it was swimming that close to shore. But he knew. Nature knows.

His first catch was just the appetizer.

And then came the full meal!

Did You Know?

Great Blue Herons are expert fishers, using stealth and patience as their greatest tools. They can stand motionless for minutes at a time, watching the water with laser focus. When the moment is right, they strike with lightning speed, using their long necks like a spring-loaded spear. Despite their size, they often hunt in shallow waters close to shore, relying on their knowledge of fish behavior to find surprisingly large meals—just like the one I witnessed!

I didn’t plan to be at the lagoon. I just followed a whisper, and it led to awe. That spontaneous detour filled me with a joy and electricity I’m still carrying today. These animals weren’t performing. They were just being. Focused, resilient, patient, present. And in watching them, I felt reminded to be the same.

No rush. Just the journey.