Battle in the sky

David Chartier has trained his Canon lens on hundreds of birds, capturing eagles and Osprey as they catch fish, Snowy Owls on their winter visits from the Arctic and even a blue heron as it snatched a chipmunk. With hopes of catching Osprey returning to a nest perched on the field lights at Mickey Stevens Sports Complex, he heard the cry of the birds. He expected they would roost on the nest. Instead, he witnessed an aerial display that quickly transformed into a battle. The Osprey circled one another, talons outstretched until they locked. They then plummeted to the ground. Dave watched. The birds didn’t move. He imagined one or maybe both were too injured to fly, maybe even dead. He approached to within ten feet. The birds remained locked. He took more photos and then as he backed off, they separated and flew away.