With storms raging, while hoping all creatures are hunkered down in some safe haven, my mind turns to the contentment of hot summer days where the estuary waters lie smooth and inviting, and blue skies bring promise of ospreys! For with patience, a little adventuring, and a touch of luck, ones efforts rarely go unrewarded.
On one such day in late summer I happened upon a spot which did indeed hold a great deal of promise. However I had to cross a river channel very quickly, as it was filling up by the second on a high, racing incoming tide! I wondered if I dare swim with my camera gear above my head... but as luck would have it a man and his dog appeared on a paddle board, and my rather unusual request for a lift was accepted to ferry me over those deepening 5 metres.
Once safely and gratefully across I was in a perfect spot! For no sooner had I donned cameras and binoculars, my first osprey turned up, dived into the far side of the river but came up 'empty-taloned'.
But on the second attempt much further away, he made off with a flounder.
I tracked his flight keenly. First he was mithered by a seagull
Then flew higher and higher till he disappeared over the hills and the ridge beyond.
I mused as to where the bird was taking it, but I suspected to a nest, as this male looked experienced, seemed to know exactly where to catch, was very proficient at it, plus he flew off in a bee-line!
And I marvelled at the timing of my arrival, as just a moment later I'd have missed the striking spectacle.
Soon I was delighted to spot my kind aide with his trusty passenger crossing over the calm waters, flanked by Ynys Giftan with Portmeirion beyond, and I marvelled at the beauty, the heat of the sun, and the good fortune of having such scenic nature spots close to home to savour and lose myself in.
Not long had passed when another male osprey turned up hawking high overhead!
I was thrilled with this encounter, praying, as always, it would drop down to fish right in front of me.
However it quickly vetted the waters, then flew a way off, plunged in but came up with nothing.
Next I delighted in seeing it fly along with the back drop of Harlech Castle!
The osprey disappeared soon after this and no more showed up that day. Yet I lingered on in a world of sunshine and sparkling waters, where cares drop away, and the soul bathes in deep contentment.
For in the beauty and simplicity of life
one wants for no-thing
♡
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