The Flying Palmetto

While standing behind the small grocery store at Flamingo, I noticed an osprey approaching from the south flying right toward me. The osprey was flying while hauling a huge palmetto palm frond trying to reach its nest. The osprey’s nest was about 100 feet behind me, and as the osprey came closer, he started circling me and the nest, thus giving me the time to photograph him. He circled two times, and then the palm frond broke off from the stem leaving the osprey with nothing but a small piece to take to the nest. When in Flamingo, I always stop at the store for refreshments and to view the resident American Crocodiles behind the store. There are several osprey nests in the area, and you can sometimes see manatees in the marina. If nearby, this is an excellent place to visit.