We read in the local newspaper that a male Osprey was found shot, broken wing.  These very birds are the ones I tried so hard to photograph last year.  Lighting was terrible when the birds were active and distance made even 420mm too short.  I will include one shot anyway.

This is one of the pair just bringing a fish to the chicks.

The male was found and taken to a fine raptor center near here.  The wing is broken and whether this magnificient bird will fly again is uncertain.  Almost certain is that the female wil not be able to incubate the eggs and hunt for food at the same time.  Almost certain is that this year the birds will have no offspring and the male may not be able to ever return to its mate.

Ospreys use the same nest year after year. Sometimes, another bird in the community will circle above and check things out.  These birds of prey (fish is the prey) will assist others and that says something special. 

My thoughts of more shots of the chicks this year are likely out but I will hope and see what happens.

Unfortunately, some people believe any living thing is fair game, any season, protected or not. That is a sad commentary on some peope who behave with much less sense than the creatures who work with instinct and their own level of thinking.

I had to vent this.  I am saddened and very ticked off.         TomDart.