Photographing Ospreys in Scotland: A Comprehensive Guide for Photographers
Scotland, with its dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity, is a paradise for wildlife photographers. Among its many natural treasures, the osprey stands out as a particularly captivating subject. These magnificent birds of prey, known for their striking appearance and spectacular fishing dives, offer endless opportunities for stunning photography.
The osprey, once declared extinct as a breeding bird in Britain as far back as the 1800s, experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 20th century. This journey of revival and recolonisation gained momentum when these majestic birds made their reappearance in Scotland in 1953. Initially, the process of recolonization faced significant challenges, including activities like egg collecting that hindered their progress.
However, with the implementation of enhanced protection measures, the osprey population began a slow but steady recovery. Remarkably, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), it is now estimated that there are over 200 nesting pairs of ospreys thriving in Britain today.
Ospreys make their annual journey from South Africa to Scotland starting in April, but the best time to spot them in action is typically between June and August. During these summer months, Scotland becomes a hotspot for osprey enthusiasts.
Whether at renowned conservation sites or in the natural wilderness, June through August offers a prime opportunity to witness these iconic birds in their element.
This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the best locations, techniques, and ethical considerations for photographing ospreys in Scotland.
The Allure of Ospreys
Ospreys are large raptors with a wingspan of up to 180 cm. They are easily recognizable by their white underparts, dark brown upperparts, and distinctive black eye-stripe. Their diet consists almost exclusively of fish, which they catch with dramatic plunges into the water. This behavior makes them a favorite among photographers, as capturing an osprey in mid-dive or emerging from the water with a fish is a thrilling achievement.
Best Locations to Photograph Ospreys in Scotland
- Aviemore: Aviemore is renowned as one of the premier locations in the UK for osprey photography. The area offers specially designed hides that provide excellent opportunities to capture these birds in action. The hides are strategically placed around a lochan (small lake), ensuring a high success rate as ospreys frequently visit to fish.
- Rothiemurchus: Located near Aviemore, Rothiemurchus is another top spot for osprey photography. The estate offers guided early morning and evening photographic trips to loch-side hides. These sessions are tailored to the weather conditions, maximizing your chances of capturing stunning images of ospreys fishing.
- Loch Garten: Part of the Abernethy National Nature Reserve, Loch Garten is famous for its osprey center. Here, you can observe ospreys nesting and fishing, with excellent opportunities for photography. The center provides telescopes and knowledgeable staff to help you get the best shots.
- Trossachs Osprey Hide: Near Callander, this hide offers incredible photography opportunities, including osprey fishing. The hide is designed to provide close-up views of ospreys in their natural habitat, making it a fantastic location for both novice and experienced photographers.
Essential Equipment for Osprey Photography
- Camera: Ideally a DSLR or mirrorless camera with fast autofocus and high burst rate is ideal for capturing the fast-paced action of ospreys. Look for a camera that can shoot at least 10 frames per second. However timing is everything and images can still be captured with a slower frame rate, this is where joining a photographic workshop will help as the photographer will explain to you the best time to capture the action.
- Lens: A telephoto lens is essential for wildlife photography. A lens with a focal length of at least 300mm will allow you to get close-up shots without disturbing the birds. For even better results, consider a lens with a focal length of 400mm or more. It is also important to not crop in too close as if you do then the wings are in danger of being cut off. A zoom lens is ideal for Osprey Photography.
- Tripod: A sturdy tripod is crucial for stabilizing your camera, especially when using long lenses. It will help you keep your shots sharp and reduce fatigue during long photography sessions. This is necessary in some hides, whereas other hides have a shelf that you can use to stabilise the camera.
- Teleconverter: If you need extra reach, a teleconverter can extend the focal length of your lens. However, be aware that it may reduce the maximum aperture and affect image quality.
- Memory Cards and Batteries: Bring plenty of high-speed memory cards and spare batteries. Shooting in burst mode and using high-resolution settings can quickly fill up your memory cards and drain your batteries.
Techniques for Capturing Stunning Osprey Photos
- Timing is Everything: Ospreys are most active during early morning and late evening when they hunt for fish. Plan your photography sessions around these times to increase your chances of capturing their spectacular fishing dives.
- Focus on Behavior: Spend time observing the ospreys’ behavior to anticipate their movements. Look for signs that an osprey is about to dive, such as hovering over the water or circling a specific area.
- Use Fast Shutter Speeds: To freeze the action of an osprey diving or emerging from the water, use a fast shutter speed of 1/1000s or faster. This will help you capture sharp images of the bird in motion.
- Adjust Your Aperture: A wide aperture (f/4 or f/5.6) will help you achieve a shallow depth of field, isolating the osprey from the background and making it stand out in your photos. However, be mindful of the trade-off between aperture and depth of field, especially when using long lenses. I personally prefer to shoot at f6.3 or f7.1 if there is enough light.
- Continuous Autofocus: Set your camera to continuous autofocus (AI Servo or AF-C) to keep the osprey in focus as it moves. This is particularly important when tracking fast-moving subjects like diving ospreys.
- Burst Mode: Use burst mode to capture a series of images in quick succession. This will increase your chances of getting the perfect shot, especially during fast-paced action like a fishing dive.
- Composition: Pay attention to composition to create visually appealing images. Use the rule of thirds to place the osprey off-center, and include elements of the surrounding landscape to provide context and depth.
- Shoot in Raw: If you shoot in raw rather than JPEG you will find that it is easier to correct the exposure and reduce the noise that will be apparent in the image at high ISO.
- Apply exposure compensation or underexpose. This is particularly important on a bright sunny day as the white patches on the osprey and the splashes of the water droplets can be easily overexposed and the highlights blown.
Ethical Considerations
Photographing wildlife comes with a responsibility to ensure the well-being of the animals. Here are some important ethical considerations to keep in mind:
- Respect Wildlife: Always maintain a respectful distance from the birds and their nests. Use hides and follow the guidance of local wildlife experts to minimize disturbance to the ospreys.
- Avoid Disturbing Nests: Ospreys are particularly sensitive during the breeding season. Avoid approaching nests or making loud noises that could disturb the birds and potentially harm their chicks.
- Follow Local Guidelines: Adhere to the guidelines provided by photography hides and local wildlife organizations. These guidelines are in place to protect the birds and ensure a sustainable environment for wildlife photography.
- Leave No Trace: Ensure that you leave the environment as you found it. Dispose of any litter properly and avoid damaging vegetation or other natural features.
Post-Processing Tips
- Crop for Impact: Use cropping to enhance the composition of your images. Focus on the osprey and its actions, removing any distracting elements from the frame.
- Adjust Exposure: Fine-tune the exposure to bring out details in the osprey’s feathers and the surrounding environment. Be careful not to overexpose highlights, especially in bright conditions.
- Enhance Colors: Adjust the color balance and saturation to make the osprey and its surroundings pop. Be mindful of keeping the colors natural and true to life.
- Sharpening: Apply sharpening to enhance the details in your images. Use selective sharpening to focus on the osprey and avoid introducing noise into the background.
- Noise Reduction: If you shot at high ISO settings, use noise reduction techniques to minimize grain in your images. Balance noise reduction with maintaining detail in the osprey’s feathers.
Conclusion
Photographing ospreys in Scotland is a rewarding experience that combines the thrill of wildlife photography with the beauty of the Scottish landscape. By choosing the right locations, using appropriate equipment, and respecting the natural behaviour of these magnificent birds, you can capture stunning images that showcase the grace and power of ospreys.
Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer or a beginner looking to expand your portfolio, Scotland offers unparalleled opportunities to photograph these incredible birds. So pack your gear, head to the hides, and get ready to capture the majesty of ospreys in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Happy shooting, and may your lens capture the perfect dive!
Feel free to share your osprey photography experiences or ask any questions you might have about wildlife photography in Scotland!
I regularly run workshops at the Trossachs Osprey Hide located less than an hour away from Glasgow. On these workshops I will go through the camera settings needed, basic Osprey behaviour and help you to achieve the type of images that you are looking for.
I also run workshops to Aviemore as part of my 4 species Cairngorms Tour. This is fully booked for 2025 but I am taking bookings for 2026 trips.
If you are interested in joining me on a workshop then check out my Trossachs Osprey Workshop or contact me for more information