The Osprey Show

I decided it was time to go check out a new spot for photographing. I keep an eye on some of the birding posts and FB pages and have seen lots of bird postings at Waneka lake in Lafayette. It's only about 20 minutes from my house which was a bonus. I barely had time to finish my coffee before I arrived at the lake. 

I did have time to enjoy the sunrise......

I had only walked a few feet towards the lake when I spotted an osprey circling for some breakfast. I hoped he would wait for me to get set before he caught something. Lucky for me, he did a few big laps around the lake before diving in.......

Bummer for him, he missed and did a few more laps which gave me time to get more pics....

He ended up catching a fish on the other side of the lake but he was too far away for pics. Oh well, it was such a treat to watch him fish.

I continued around the lake and spotted a couple of great blue herons. This one posed nicely on a log.....

While watching the GBH, I saw something in the bushes. A well camouflaged black crown night heron. 

Next to Waneka lake is another small lake called Greenlee preserve. There was only one access point, a dock area to observe the small pond. So it was a challenge to see anything. I did spot this female wood duck preening. The light was too harsh so I just went with a silhouette shot........

I continued around Waneka and saw these cormorants enjoying the morning. Again I went for the silhouette plus a reflection shot. Sweet!

Well, Waneka lake was pretty fun. Especially the osprey sighting. So it might be a fun place to check out once in awhile. 
Walden ponds is on my way home, so I decided to stop over there. It was already getting hot, so I did not plan to stay very long.

The gold finches were all over the place and finally one posed for me.....

Nice! I have not seen these flowers before.....

I only walked to the first back pond before deciding it was too hot. So I turned back towards the parking lot. I just got back to the main pond and spotted an osprey flying over the pond! There's an osprey nest just over at Saw mill ponds, so it was a good bet it was one of the parents.
I got in a decent spot for pics just as the osprey dove in..........

Success! Breakfast is served! I will never get tired of watching osprey go fishing!

On my way home, I decided to stop at the 75th bridge and see what was going on. I took a look for the dipper but had no luck. The water sure looked refreshing.......

I walked a bit down the trail but it was very quiet, except for these beautiful flowers. So I headed home to get Hazel dog out for some swimming time and then enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for reading!