matthewo
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| p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Downtown Riverways, With up-close osprey encounter. + video | |
Yesterday was a cooler day, high around 80. I heard the water level of the Congaree River was a little lower because of the lack of rain over the past month. We still had so much rain over the summer the river is not a low as it usually is this time of year. In Columbia, we have 2 rivers, the Broad and the Saluda converge into the Congaree pretty much right in downtown. The place is popular for fishing, yet rock hopping is limited to get to a lot of locations, as well as so many rocks any motorized boat would be nearly impossible, even in my kayak I was hitting many rocks. The area is also pretty large, so you can almost be away from most people and in a decent wildlife habitat while still being in the heart of downtown Columbia. There are many large islands dense with large trees with the river running around them. My trip was to explorer the lower part, heavy rapids and deep water around them, wouldn't allow me to get to the part slightly north of Columbia on the Saluda river. I will probably put in at a different location to explorer there, as paddling miles up fast moving rocky river isn't too fun with a fishing kayak.
When I thought I wouldn't see much of anything worth getting the camera out, I spotted an osprey on a low branch about 4 feet off the water, thought to myself that is odd, then I saw the very large fish. I slowly approached and was able to get within 15-20 feet, closer than I have ever been. the photos and video tell the rest.
Skip to 3:00 in the video if you don't want to hear me talk about the location. all was recorded in 1080p with my workhorse and only body d800, so watch in HD if possible.
and the photos:
I know I posted a lot, but I took a lot cause rarely do you get to fill the frame with an osprey at eyelevel with a fish.
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9) up close crop.
10) just a comparison of size, fish vs osprey (who is eating who)
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I'm not sure, but it looks like you were spotted in 5...
~ Ron