On patrol: Osprey on Independence Day

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We spotted an Osprey fishing for breakfast Saturday morning while southbound, on the way to pick up water samples from the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance.

The Osprey plucked a fish out of the Hudson, circled the air and returned to the nest, where a small head popped up. An Independence Day family picnic.

This resident Osprey couple nests on the light each year, usually arriving in mid-April. See photos from our earlier sighting in May.

To see regular photos from our Hudson River patrols, look for hashtag #followtheboat on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.