142. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

The Osprey is a fish-eating eagle, which breeds in the UK but winters in Africa. Due to historical persecution in the UK Ospreys are not common, but they are becoming more widespread, slowly recolonising former breeding grounds. They are very widely distributed throughout the world, being found on all continents except Antarctica. Their preferred habitat is freshwater lakes with plenty of fish, and tall coniferous trees for nesting in. Ospreys are quite unique in appearance, their slender wings in flight sometimes make them look a little like a large gull and unlike other eagles their wings do not have prominent 'fingers' at the tips. The juvenile looks similar to the adult, but with pale mottled upperparts and dark streaks on its white crown.

Osprey, ©mikebaird, via Flickr Creative Commons.

Osprey painting.

I've not done any paintings/drawings for the past few days as I've been busy trying to get an assignment done which has been bamboozling me! I made quite good progress on it yesterday though so had a bit of time this evening for this Osprey; it's a bit on the chunky side but considering I got up at 5am today to go birding at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire (more on that to follow) I don't think it's too shabby.