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Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons

Birds, Words, Pics + TV

Pictures: Osprey in Florida

With so much water in and around Central Florida, Ospreys are a ubiquitous part of our environment. You can spot a large Osprey nest out in the wild as easily as spotting or on top of road sign while driving down Interstate 4.

They are unique among raptors in that they only eat live fish and have the ability to dive into lakes, ponds and the ocean to catch their meals, according to AllAboutBirds.org. If you drive on the Max Brewer Memorial Parkway to Playalinda Beach on Merritt Island in the morning, you’ll probably spot an Osprey on almost every utility pole feasting on its freshly-caught breakfast.

They’re fun to photograph, too. Here are some of my favorite photos I have taken of Osprey in Central Florida.

Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023.
Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, January 2024.
Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, January 2024.
Osprey, Orlando Wetlands, February 2024.
Osprey, Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island, December 2023.
Osprey and its catch, Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island, December 2023.
Osprey and its catch, Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island, December 2023.
The Osprey is saying “ahhh” rather loudly at the Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island in October 2023.
Osprey, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, May 2023.
Osprey, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, May 2003.
An Osprey keeps an eye out for any trouble (or possible food) at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in early May 2023.
Osprey, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, December 2023. Look at the talons on this bird.
An Osprey snatches a snack from the Indian River at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in August 2023.
An Osprey flies over the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Osprey, Fort DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg, May 2023.

More of my galleries

An endangered Florida Scrub-Jay strikes a pose at the Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary in Rockledge in January 2023.

Florida
Scrub-Jays

Bald
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Belted Kingfishers

Sandhill
Cranes

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Ospreys

Roseate
Spoonbills

Red-Shouldered Hawks

Little Blue Herons

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Owls

Black-and-White Warblers

Eastern Bluebirds

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Parulas

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My Bird Catalog

Latest Posts

  • Spending a magical morning at Orlando Wetlands
  • Finding some very colorful characters at Lake Apopka
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  • You never know what you’ll see at Orlando Wetlands
  • Reddish Egret puts on a sunset show

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American Flamingos

Photos of American Flamingos in Indian River


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Photos of Belted Kingfishers across Central Florida.


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Pictures of Roseate Spoonbills in Central Florida


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Pictures of one of the last Whooping Cranes in Florida


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