This is just a quick clip of the Osprey that sits perched atop the post just outside the entrance to Honeymoon Island State Park. After having recently caught a mullet by diving from high altitudes, then crashing into the water to grab and scoop the unsuspecting fish, it starts its meal by taking a moment to collect itself, a moment to unruffle the feathers, and shake off the water. The osprey has just caught a medium sized mullet from the waterway just adjacent to the park entrance. Mullet are a common meal for the hungry osprey because mullet are so abundant, and because they are a species of fish that spend a lot of their life on the surface of the water. Mullet are a great, easy, and filling meal for these beautiful birds.
Tag Archives: herbivores
Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise (gopherus, polyphemus) can be found all over the gulf’s barrier islands. They are terrestrial animals, and as such they cannot swim very well. This turtle likes dry sandy areas, areas like sand dunes, and arid coastal islands. Its legs are designed for digging in the sand, instead of swimming in the water. The turtle can grow up to a foot long, and weigh 30 pounds. The tortoise’s lifespan can range from 40 to 60 years. Continue reading Gopher Tortoise