(In order to share with those who are stuck on dial-up, I'm posting the small low-res versions of the pictures to make them more easily downloadable, with links to the 800x600 high res versions for those with fast connections. The link to the larger version is just below each picture).

Yesterday, I decided to head to Morikami Gardens (which some of you know from my last post) for sunset photos. However, I got a nice surprise - my second lifetime Osprey sighting - a large, 5-foot+ wingspan adult who was eating his dinner in a tree across the lake. Dinner looked to be a nice 12-13 inch bass! I whipped out the HD1758 teleextender and went to full zoom - being over 100 yards away, the bird was an ant to the naked eye, but 732mm and an additional 30% cropping brought that bird right up close:

Chowing down:
http://ct.pbase.com/g6/49/678449/3/70747390.pHq8EWgd.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/70747390

He gives me a nice pose:
http://ct.pbase.com/g6/49/678449/3/70747393.ABqydIT2.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/70747393

"Hey Mr. Osprey...don't look at me so threateningly - I'm not going to take your dinner!":
http://ct.pbase.com/g6/49/678449/3/70747396.T0HotZvn.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/70747396

He called out a few times to warn me:
http://ct.pbase.com/g6/49/678449/3/70747406.ceJzRwRB.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/70747406

Then resumed eating:
http://ct.pbase.com/g6/49/678449/3/70747412.jExy0C2r.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/70747412

He occasionally spread his wings to balance himself or adjust the fish...giving me a nice shot:
http://ct.pbase.com/g6/49/678449/3/70747415.kNG2Yd6g.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/70747415

I've only ever seen an osprey when I was in St. Petersburg earlier this year - though somewhat common birds of prey throughout the world, they are rarely seen around South Florida. I was thrilled to have one right in my town, so near my house. Hopefully he will decide the fishing is good, and stick around that lake.

Have I mentioned how much I love the H5? I simply couldn't have come close with my 717. The H1 can replicate the optical zoom, but would have fallen down considerably in cropping with much less room to crop away. The H5's huge zoom, the 1.7x tele-extender, the 7MP cropping room, and the low noise make this an incredibly useful and fun camera!

Comments, Questions, and Critique welcome and encouraged as usual!

--
Justin
www.pbase.com/zackiedawg