My photograph of an osprey carrying a large fish at Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, was published today in Sciences et Avenir, France’s leading science magazine, on June 16, 2026. The article, titled “Les rapaces chassent en fonction de la morphologie de leurs phalanges” (“Raptors hunt according to the morphology of their phalanges”), explores the relationship between raptor talon structure and hunting behavior. The osprey, one of the world’s most specialized fish hunters, is a central subject.
Osprey Photography at Fort De Soto Park
The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is one of the most widely distributed raptors in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica. At Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, ospreys are year-round residents and among the most reliably photographed birds of prey in the state.
The image published in Sciences et Avenir shows an osprey carrying a large fish, captured at Fort De Soto Park. The moment illustrates precisely what makes the osprey such a compelling subject for both wildlife photography and scientific study: the combination of physical power, behavioral precision, and the sheer visual drama of a large raptor in full command of its prey.
Ospreys are specialist fish hunters. Unlike most raptors, they feed almost exclusively on live fish, diving feet-first from heights of 10 to 40 meters to snatch prey from just below the surface. Their reversible outer toe and spiny foot pads, known as spicules, provide an exceptional grip on wet, slippery fish. Once caught, the fish is repositioned headfirst to reduce wind resistance, then carried to a favorite perch to be eaten.
Why the Osprey Was Featured in a Science Article About Raptor Talons
The Sciences et Avenir article examines how the morphology of raptor phalanges, the bones of the toes, determines how different species hunt. Raptors have evolved a remarkable diversity of talon shapes and sizes, each adapted to a specific prey type and hunting strategy.
The osprey is one of the most distinctive examples in this context. Its talons are unusually long and curved, and its outer toe is reversible, allowing it to grip fish from two sides simultaneously. Spiny foot pads called spicules on the underside of its feet add additional grip on slippery prey. These adaptations are so specialized that the osprey is classified in its own family, Pandionidae, separate from all other hawks and eagles.
The inclusion of my Fort De Soto osprey photograph in a French science publication dedicated to raptor biomechanics reflects how wildlife photography and scientific communication intersect. A well-timed image of an osprey in the field illustrates in a single frame what takes paragraphs of text to describe.
Why Fort De Soto Park Is Outstanding for Osprey Photography
Fort De Soto Park sits at the southern tip of Pinellas County, where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. The combination of open water, shallow fishing grounds, tall trees, and multiple active nesting pairs makes it one of the most productive locations in Florida for osprey photography year-round.
Consistent presence. Ospreys are resident at Fort De Soto throughout the year. You can plan a visit around this species with confidence in any month.
Feeding perches. Ospreys at Fort De Soto return to the same trees and perches repeatedly after a successful catch. Once you identify a favored perch, position yourself for the best light and wait. The bird will come back.
Approachable birds. Fort De Soto’s ospreys are accustomed to human presence. With a calm, unhurried approach, it is possible to photograph them at close range without flushing the bird from its perch.
Active fishing grounds. The open water around Fort De Soto’s causeways puts osprey hunting behavior in clear view. Watching a bird circle, hover, and dive is one of the most dramatic sequences in wildlife photography, and Fort De Soto provides regular opportunities to witness it.
Tips for Photographing Ospreys at Fort De Soto Park
Shoot during active fishing hours. Ospreys fish most actively in the morning and again in the late afternoon. Plan your session accordingly.
Be ready for the carry. An osprey in flight carrying a large fish is one of the most striking images in bird photography. Keep your shutter speed at 1/2500s or faster, use continuous autofocus, and track the bird from the moment it leaves the water.
Use the sun behind you. Osprey plumage is high contrast, with dark brown upperparts and bright white underparts. Even, directional light from behind the photographer renders both correctly without blowing out the white breast or losing detail in the dark back.
Osprey at Fort De Soto: Part of an Ongoing Publication Series
This Sciences et Avenir publication follows a strong run of recent international features. A separate osprey image from Fort De Soto was selected for The Guardian’s “Week in Wildlife” gallery on May 29, 2026, alongside three other Florida images including the gallery’s leading image.
See More of My Published Work
This Sciences et Avenir feature joins published work in The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, National Geographic, BBC, TIME, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many others.
About Ronen Tivony
Ronen Tivony is a wildlife photojournalist, Florida Master Naturalist, and photography workshop leader based in Florida. He leads bird photography workshops at Fort De Soto Park and across Florida year-round.
To book a workshop or inquire about private photography instruction, contact Ronen here or call/text 786-540-9194.