Journal #2 - Of Fathers and Fish: Photographing Ospreys During Maine’s Alewife Run
Perfect Timing in Osprey Photography! I love the muted colours of this overcast spring day as this father osprey extends his wings for another powerful stroke!
Happy Father’s Day!
In honor of the dads out there, I’m highlighting another species’ hardworking fathers - the osprey.
Each spring along the East Coast of North America, a type of ocean fish called an alewife migrates by the tens of thousands upstream to spawn in the ponds where they were born. This timing couldn’t be better for the wildlife emerging from winter and preparing to feed a new batch of babies - especially ospreys.
Watching an osprey wheel overhead, stall, then dive talons-first into the water is thrilling - every single time. They often hit so hard they disappear underwater, and when they come up you can see the strain as then pump their wings, furiously dragging themselves back into the air - hopefully with a fish. And about half the time, they come up empty. It's the wild version of a grocery run, but with primal stakes.
The intense stare of a male osprey during the alewife run in Maine.
What Are Alewives, and Why Do They Matter?
Alewives are a type of river herring, and their spring migration is one of those amazing surprises I learned about when I moved to Maine. Someone told me about a bunch of eagles down by a river – I went to watch and ended up talking with a fella who told me all about the alewife run and I was like, “WHAT?! You’re kidding! How did I not know!?”
Born in freshwater, the alewives spend most of their lives at sea, returning each spring to the ponds where they were born to spawn. And unlike salmon, alewives do not die after they spawn – they’ll spend a couple weeks in the ponds, then start making their way back to the ocean. I’ve seen a shallow stream with fish coming and going and it’s packed so full the fishes’ dorsal fins are sticking up out of the water because they’re stacked on top of each other! See the video at the bottom of this post.
They’re a critical food source for birds, mammals, and larger fish. While I’m out photographing ospreys, I often see seagulls (loads of them), cormorants, and bald eagles taking advantage of the bounty. I recently even saw a spotted sandpiper poking around, I believe looking for eggs.
But I confess - it’s the osprey I enjoy the most.
For a time, alewife populations dropped dramatically due to dams, pollution, and overfishing. Fortunately, here in Maine, we’ve made real progress restoring them. River restoration, improved fish ladders, and the removal of obsolete dams have reopened historic spawning grounds. In many rivers, alewives are now running strong again.
The alewife run in Maine is a great time to springtime capture bird behavior like this blue heron perched in a tree digesting his latest meal.
Ospreys and the Art of Fishing (and Fatherhood)
As a nature photographer, I spend a lot of time observing behavior - and the more I watch ospreys during the alewife run, the more I appreciate just how hard these fathers work.
It’s the male osprey who provides for the family during nesting season. While the female tends the nest and incubates the eggs, the male fishes for both of them. And once the eggs hatch, he’s suddenly feeding three to five hungry mouths. All this happens right when the alewives arrive - a perfect bit of ecological timing.
Along the Maine coast, I’ve photographed osprey fishing in tidal rivers, estuaries, and shallow bays. Sometimes you’ll see a dozen or more circling over a single stretch of river, each scanning for the silver flash of the 8–12 inch fish. Fortunately, alewives move in schools - even upstream - so where there’s one, there are dozens.
If you’re in New England during the spring and spot an osprey, chances are he’s fishing for alewives. And if you’re patient, you might witness the moment he dives. It might sound a little cliché - but it really is exciting to watch! You’ll find yourself cheering them on!
Photographing Ospreys during the alewife run in Maine offers many opportunities like this male osprey who missed his catch and is circling around for another try
Tips for Photographing Ospreys During the Alewife Run
By Father’s Day, we’re nearing the end of the alewife run, so these tips may be more useful next year - but if you’re looking to photograph ospreys during this perfect time, here are a few suggestions:
Time it right: The alewife run can start as early as mid-April, but it’s usually from early May through mid-June. Timing varies by river.
Look for bottlenecks: Narrow rivers, fish ladders, and shallow pools are prime hunting grounds for osprey.
Bring the right lens: A telephoto lens (400mm or longer) lets you capture the action from a respectful distance. Many of my images were taken with a 600mm - and sometimes it was actually too much reach.
Check your settings: for general flight, 1/1600 sec might suffice, but to freeze the action of the final plunge, you’ll want 1/2500 sec or faster.
Watch the light: Early mornings offer soft, flattering light - and often bring the misty, moody atmosphere that makes coastal Maine so photogenic.
Stay ethical: Avoid approaching nests too closely. A stressed osprey won’t fish, jeopardizing that dad’s ability to feed his family. You’ll have the best experiences when you blend quietly into the landscape and let nature unfold.
Cormorants take advantage of the spring alewife run in Maine, also. This beautiful blue-eyed bird skimmed the streams surface flying off to join others down stream.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about the alewife run here in Maine check out these websites:
Damariscotta Mills Fish Ladder Restoration - lots of information and daily updates on the status of the run
Natural Resources Council of Maine - Restoring Alewives in Maine Rivers - with great information about alewife restoration efforts
Maine’s Department of Marine Resources - a great fact sheet about alewives
Shake It Off! Fun bird behavior! After osprey dive and fight their way back out of the water they will pump hard to get a little air under themselves, then pause to do a great shake and get the water off.
Happy Father’s Day
And to wrap it all up, Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, and most especially my own! Thanks Dad! You gave me a great foundation and you get a lot of the credit for this love of nature and storytelling! I’ll always have the fondest memories of our times outdoors together! I love you!
GoPro View: Alewives on the Move
Watch thousands of alewives packed side by side as they push upstream in constant motion. Filmed in a shallow Maine stream, capturing the energy and determination of one of the Northeast’s great spring migrations.
