I was in Hopewell, Virginia, scouting a location for what I hope will be tomorrow's shoot. As I was looking at a couple of terns sitting on some old pilings out in the Appomattox River I heard a big splash off to my right. This osprey was just lifting back into the air with its breakfast (I think it's a bass).
The osprey made several wide circles over the area (like a quarter-mile diameter) before leaving. I've seen this behavior before but don't understand it. If you know why they do this, please let me know!
@annepann Thought about that but I don't think so. After its grab, it flew up rapidly to the "circling altitude," circled at that same altitude, then made another climb to leave the area. It didn't seem to be going any faster on the three or four passes it made by me.