In my experience, ospreys are not often encountered in central Missouri during the summer months. Rather, they are primarily migrants in this State, peaking on area lakes in April and October.
So I was pleased to find an osprey fishing on Perry Phillips Lake this morning, joined by an adult bald eagle. His visit was rather brief, suggesting that breakfast was not readily available; s couple of plunges were aborted before he flew off.
Nevertheless, the osprey's appearance was a hopeful sign, augmented by the cool, cloudy morning weather.. In the midst of a hot, dry summer, this majestic raptor, associated with northern or coastal habitats, offered hope that autumn weather will soon invade the Heartland. Indeed, I'm searching for any sign of seasonal change, however tenuous it might be.
