Whatbird.com

I hope I attaches this photo corredctly.  I live in Fresno, CA and this bird stopped traffic near my home tonight around 8pm.  Anyone recognize it?  We thought it looked more like an Eagle than the hawks we sometimes see.  He also didn't seem too healthy.  Stayed there longer than I stayed outside.... may still be there?  I felt like I should have done more than take a picture but ????? 

this second pix shows another slightly different pose.  the head looked all white but the pictures show dark feathers.....

that is a very nice photo of an Osprey... fishhawk as they use to be called...they really aren't too shy, so to see them up close is not unusual, if they are in your area.

---

http://whatbird.com/forums/photos/early_summers_birds/
IM: oldguyrich

Yes, definitely an Osprey - the giveaway is the large black marking on the head. 

---

Life List: 133
Latest: Least Bittern; Bufflehead; Greater (and/or Lesser) Scaup

Thirded for Osprey.

---

Life list: 291
Latest: Brown-headed Nuthatch, Swallow-Tailed Kite, Marbled Godwit.

IThanks for your quick response.   think I heard the reason for the Osprey's visit last night.  Here's the info from Channel 30's news broadcast:

Fresno, CA (KFSN) -- A fire department official told Action News the fire triggered the biggest response in Fresno in at least twenty years. It started around four-o'clock Thursday afternoon in the San Joaquin riverbed near Alluvial and Fruit, but it quickly raced towards homes on the bluffs. Crews from the Fresno Fire Department and the Forest Service are here to keep the fire from flaring up again. The fire burned a dozen acres, destroyed one home, and threatened an entire neighborhood. The fire started along the banks of the San Joaquin River but quickly raced up the bluffs to nearby homes. With nearly one hundred personnel on the scene the city of Clovis and the County Fire Department covered much of the city while the Fresno Fire Department handled this fire.

I sure hope there weren't nests or other birds killed or made ill.  This one I believe was in shock and may have had some smoke inhalation, poor thing.....  The innocence of birds subjected to man's interference.....fireworks may be to blame.  ~W.

Birds of prey will sit for hours in one spot. Once they have eaten, they really don't need to fly except to cool themselves down and they usually catch a thermal {warm updraft} and go up to a higher elevation to cool. It is also not uncommon to see ospreys away from bodies of water in their travels.

---

Southwestern New Mexico

So he/she may not have been sick....just resting on a full stomach.  I hope so.  Odd to see this type of bird near our man-made lake.  The river is near by.  I hope it comes back.....  majestic!  Thanks for all the responses.

If you look closely at the picture you took, you will see some streaks at the top of the chest area. That is the crop area where the bird stores its food and to me it looks like that area is puffed out, which means it has food in it.

---

Southwestern New Mexico

a fire offers a great opportunity for raptors to feed as they flush out and impale great numbers of mice, rats, reptiles, etc.  even though this is a fish eater, i've seen ospreys take small mammals when farmers were burning cane fields.  one of the most fascinating things about birds (especially large ones) is their ability to respond to disturbances, outbreaks, droughts, and storms that optimize feeding oppourtunities.  not neccissarilly why this bird was spotted, but its a good possibility.  nice photos and thanks for sharing.

What great information.  My deep love and fascination for birds has included gaining knowledge ABOUT birds.  I used to feel it would "ruin the magic" to know.  In my later years now (55 is later, yes?) I'm enjoying adding the associated information and find it takes nothing away....actually adds to the wonder.  Thank you for your participation on this amazing website.  ~W.

oops, just read that first sentence.  I meant I had NOT studied birds.  Only appreciated them.  A friend asked me today how it was I "saw the bird way up there".   I smiled.  Have I ever driven past a bird without noticing?  Doesn't everybody notice every bird?   I found the question kinda odd.