Ospreys grappling in flight
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey · Prospect Park · 23 May 2026
Two Ospreys with talons extended and nearly locked, mid-air over Prospect Park Lake, almost certainly contesting the same fishing water. Ospreys hunt every coast and lake on earth outside Antarctica, and the ones over Brooklyn are back from South America to nest around the harbour.
It could be a territorial confrontation or a courtship display; Ospreys are known to grapple talons in both. Either way it is a reminder of what the feet are built for. Ospreys live almost entirely on live fish taken feet-first from the water, and the grip meant for a slippery, struggling catch works just as well on a rival.
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.