Ready to Launch and Lunch: Osprey at Lake Pleasant. This magnificent raptor (a variety of hawk) was captured (photographically, of course) on a sunny day at a popular county park northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. It was perched at the top of a small, rocky island, and was probably contemplating which species of fish it might grab for its midday meal. Ospreys range throughout North America and are also found in South America. Amazingly, they can log as many as 160,000 miles (260,000 km) migrating during their 15 to 20 year lifespan.

Image ©2020 James D. Peterson