I purposely woke before sunrise for a long photo walk. The forecast was for great weather and I wanted to get out and back before it warmed up too much.

These osprey had a bit of an altercation. If think I saw them in the same nest with a third earlier, but as one flew back with some reeds to add to the nest, another objected. They locked talons around 20 feet up, thrashed in the air, and gently tumbled to the ground (around 3 seconds to drop 20 feet; they were trying to hover while fighting). Impact ended the squabble and they resumed hunting and gathering.

[slowpez]

What a great shot. Well done.

[joip]

Excellent catch!

[DeadJohn]

Thanks.

P.S. My shutter speed was 1/500 when this happened. That's motion blur not "Pentax AF is doomed"

[Adam]

I purposely woke before sunrise for a long photo walk. The forecast was for great weather and I wanted to get out and back before it warmed up too much.

These osprey had a bit of an altercation. If think I saw them in the same nest with a third earlier, but as one flew back with some reeds to add to the nest, another objected. They locked talons around 20 feet up, thrashed in the air, and gently tumbled to the ground (around 3 seconds to drop 20 feet; they were trying to hover while fighting). Impact ended the squabble and they resumed hunting and gathering.

Great timing!

[reh321]

Thanks.

P.S. My shutter speed was 1/500 when this happened. That's motion blur not "Pentax AF is doomed"

This is a great shot regardless.