Osprey?

[Bell3wv]

Saw this critter this morning. Nearest river is about 10 miles away. Not sure what it was...

 

[Hduke86]

Looks like one to me the best I can tell in that photo

 

[TNTreeman]

Im no bird expert but I've got a lot of hours watching osprey in south Florida and it sure looks like one. They are incredible to watch dismantling a fish. Awesome pic no matter what it is.

 

[Dodge Man]

I have Bald Eagles come to my pond occasionally and the closest one that have a nest to me is 8-10 miles away. I don't imagine that is a long trip for a bigger bird to fly around looking for a meal.

 

[prstide]

Not that I don't trust y'all but seeing as how we have a resident home brew ornithologist amongst us I'll summon @gasman to get an expert's opinion.

 

[RUGER]

Yep.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

seen hundreds. if it aint an osprey, it should be. what is it doing in a hay field though?

 

[Boone25/06]

Looks like one to me. Sure looks better sitting in a hay field than flying over my pond! Had 2 different ones find my fish feeding at feeder on pond easy meals

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . if it aint an osprey, it should be. what is it doing in a hay field though?

I suspect they're evolving, just as have the bald eagles, to specifically hunt turkeys.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

looking at the picture blown up, it looks kind of like it has a fish in front of it on the bale. watched a golden eagle harassing turkeys in 'bama a few years back...no success.