Osprey banking
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey · Green-Wood Cemetery · 25 April 2026
An Osprey banking steeply over Green-Wood Cemetery in April, back from South America and on its way to a nest on the harbour. Ospreys are on every continent but Antarctica, always near water, and New York's have come back from near-extinction to nest on platforms and channel markers all round the bay.
The dark comma-shaped patch at the wrist and the black mask through the eye are the field marks that separate an osprey from any other large raptor at a distance, even in a bank like this. A reversible outer toe and barbed pads on the soles of the feet exist for no other purpose than gripping a slippery fish pulled straight out of the water.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.