Fish for Breakfast. Again. by timerskine

Fish for Breakfast. Again.

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!
Great shot of the Osprey and his impressive catch.
July 8th, 2020  
WoW, great catch.
July 8th, 2020  
Maybe it circles to gradually gain altitude?
July 8th, 2020  
Incredible capture for you and the Osprey.
July 8th, 2020  
Well captured - you and the bird!
July 8th, 2020  
Perhaps they have forgotten where they live? haha. Super shot to see!
July 8th, 2020  
Great capture
July 8th, 2020  
@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.
July 9th, 2020  
@maggiemae Well, absent any other ideas, we'll go with that for now :-)
July 9th, 2020  
July 9th, 2020  
@amyk @dutchothotmailcom @annepann @serendypyty @clearlightskies @maggiemae @bkbinthecity And thanks to all of you for getting this shot on the Popular Page! Woohoo!
July 9th, 2020  
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