Dry season supposed to be here in South Florida but instead it’s been raining already for 3 days.
So, unfortunately I have time to write a post…
The Osprey nest that I started to film isn’t going to work this year, it seems the pair gave it up. I guess they just have chosen a bad place as it happens to be in the middle of a popular kayak route. Even worse, when it’s windy in the Keys, as it is so often in these days, their tiny bay is still well sheltered and fishermen show up in herds. And oh lord, they don’t see anything over the tip of their rods and often I saw them cruising right to the nest without noticing it’s there…
So, I was not surprised that the birds got fed up. Shit happens in wildlife filmmaking, actually I just feel it does too often… But I checked the other nest that we scouted with Chad yet back in early January and guess what? It works even better, the birds are there, can be filmed from four different angles – in fact it’s five if we get it from underwater as well.

Here is a short making of, Janne shot the super slomotions while I was closer to the nest sitting in the bushes in seawater. (Note the shot at 0:55, it’s not hunting, the bird cleans its feet after feeding. Cool isn’t it?)

Florida Bay. Muddy, hot, full of mangrove and funky critters and plenty of mosquitoes… Still, I like the place.

So, I check the low tide: it’s in the right time, nice afternoon lights. I need shallow water as I am going to stand in it for 4-5 hours and I prefer it to be knee-deep than up to my hip (thanks god, that it’s not Siberia this time…).
I leave from home in time, had only a coffee, I thought to stop somewhere on the road to pick up some food and of course one more cup of black.
Stop: a gas station. Grrr, forgot my wallet… quick check if I can make it back and forth with the remaining fuel, yes I can.
Well, then this will be a tough day out in the sea without food and water…

I need to use a kayak to reach the location as there is no other way. Not a long paddle but it’s a bit windy out there. I don’t mind it only that the salt water is not a big friend of the camera…

I am on the way to film Ospreys in the extensive mangrove habitat around the Keys.
A couple of days ago we scouted the area and found some nice nests and this is the first time that I try my luck with them.

I decided just standing in the water, no blind. If they don’t like me they won’t come to the nest after all.

But they did a couple of times while I was there, standing in the 2ft/60cm water for hours. I am not sure whether they’re going to be the right ones for the film, they seem to be a bit undecided about the nest, but tomorrow I will give it a try once again.

Well, with proper supplies…