The Osprey And Eagle Duke It Out And The Manatee Drama

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The Osprey And Eagle Duke It Out And The Manatee Drama

Our boats are across the small channel where we have found a resident Osprey.  We see him often, sitting in trees or one time even standing in the water which was odd for a bird of prey. Steve and Teresa Lasher were on the bridge of our boat for docktails and we were given a show.  An Eagle came flying right by our boat. He was immediately attacked by the Osprey. I didn’t have my camera for the best part, but they battled right in front of our boat. We could see talons spread. They were diving at each other. It was surprising how long this went on.  Pretty soon the Eagle conceded and flew to a tree out of the area.  The Osprey perched in a tree with view of his territory.  Later the Eagle tried to fly by again and the Osprey immediately screamed and dove at him. He hightailed it out of there. We thought the Eagle would be the winner, but we were wrong. It was quite entertaining.

Here is the Eagle that caused all the trouble. He flew right by our boat.
Here is the Eagle that caused all the trouble. He flew right by our boat.
Another shot of the Eagle as he circled around our boat.
Another shot of the Eagle as he circled around our boat.
Look close you can see the Osprey as he descended on the Eagle in their territory fight.
Look close you can see the Osprey as he descended on the Eagle in their territory fight.
The Osprey won and stood on this tree on watch. When the Eagle tried to come back he screeched at it and immediately dove after it.
The Osprey won and stood on this tree on watch. When the Eagle tried to come back he screeched at it and immediately dove after it.
This Osprey was standing in the water for a long time. None of us had ever seen a bird of prey do this. He eventually took a bath and flew away. Enjoy the progression of pictures below
This Osprey was standing in the water for a long time. None of us had ever seen a bird of prey do this. He eventually took a bath and flew away. Enjoy the progression of pictures below

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I took a bike ride while Scott ran to West Marine. I was so excited to find Manatees in a little park.  I sent him a text. “went for a bike ride, found Manatee, see you tomorrow” I could have watched them for hours, but the sun was getting low and I was in shorts and sleeveless shirt so I had to go home. I took Scott to see them the next day. There were quite a few people there walking the edge of the park waiting for a peak at them.  The area is marked “No Motorized boat in the area from November 1 to March 30.  As we were standing there, much to everyone’s horror a boat come flying in. The people on shore went crazy yelling at him.  The guy misinterpreted the signs and though he was allowed during that time. He was yelling at the people on shore and the people on shore were going crazy.  Things got heated. People are passionate about the Manatees.  He finally turned and left. His butt crack was showing and the lady with the loudest voice yelled something about his butt crack.  That same lady was feeding the Manatees lettuce.  Another man came by saying look who’s calling the kettle black, you aren’t supposed to feed the Manatees either. Man, it was time to leave.  Things were getting ugly.

Manatees are hard to photograph. This was the best shot I got.
Manatees are hard to photograph. This was the best shot I got.

On that same bike ride I found some beautiful homes. There seems to be a lot of huge homes in Florida. Here are some example of the older homes I found.

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We also found the Safford Home. It was the first home in Tarpon Springs. Safford and partner Disston purchased 4 million acres of Florida swamp land in approximately 1881 to 1883. We were told this is the 3rd largest land acquisition after the Louisiana Purchase and the purchase of Alaska. We were given a tour and learned how Anson Safford invited well-to-do families to his home to encourage them to buy property and for vacation homes and hunting.

The Safford home after restoration. It was in such bad condition that you could see daylight through to the second floor. Wow what a project
The Safford home after restoration. It was in such bad condition that you could see daylight through to the second floor. Wow what a project
Another view
Another view
Our Tour guide telling us the interesting history of Mr. Safford the house as we sat in the dining room.
Our Tour guide telling us the interesting history of Mr. Safford the house as we sat in the dining room.
They did a lovely job refurnishing this old Victorian home.
They did a lovely job refurnishing this old Victorian home.
I love this kind of detail you find in old Victorian homes
I love this kind of detail you find in old Victorian homes
Portrait of Anson Safford
Portrait of Anson Safford
This is the only piece of furniture that was original to the house. It is Mr. Saffords desk. I forget the story exactly but a housekeeper ended up with it and somehow all these years later it got donated to the house when it was finished being restored.
This is the only piece of furniture that was original to the house. It is Mr. Saffords desk. I forget the story exactly but a housekeeper ended up with it and somehow all these years later it got donated to the house when it was finished being restored.

I am amazed at how much history we are learning on this trip.

Thanks for reading,

Karen and Scott

Unique Random Picture of the day

This photo was taken on friends boat "the Southern Cross" This juvenile brown pelican landed on their chair and rode with them for a while. Juveniles have brown heads and adults have while heads. Lazy freeloading teenager. But isn't he cute!
This photo was taken on friends boat “the Southern Cross” This juvenile brown pelican landed on their chair and rode with them for a while. Juveniles have brown heads and adults have while heads. Lazy freeloading teenager. But isn’t he cute!

 

2 thoughts on “The Osprey And Eagle Duke It Out And The Manatee Drama”

  1. You are having such great adventures! Thanks for sharing your stories and pictures. We will have to check out Tarpon Springs, sounds amazing!

    1. Hi Teri,
      It was a fun little town. We enjoyed it even though there was a certain element of commercialism it didn’t ruin the feel for the town. I’m glad you are following and yes, this is an amazing adventure.

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