Double dip! Osprey masters the art of snatching two fish in one dive

These stunning images capture the incredible moment an osprey pulled off a spectacular double catch - snatching two fish in a single swoop.

Photographer Bruce Rubin, 64, from Voorhees, New Jersey, first snapped the bird of prey as it plunged into the water before bursting back out clutching not one - but two fish in its razor-sharp talons.

After returning to the same spot this week in southern New Jersey, Bruce captured a second set of images showing another osprey - possibly even the same bird - pulling off the exact same double catch again.

The dramatic sequences show the birds diving headfirst into the water before emerging powerfully with two fish gripped tightly as they lift off and fly away.

Even more remarkably, the first catch included two different species - a white perch, typically found in freshwater, and a gizzard shad - making the moment even more unusual for wildlife in southern New Jersey.

Bruce says the double catches are not just luck, but part of the osprey’s highly effective hunting style.

He said:

“When the bird sees a fish - or several - they slam into the water and those razor-sharp talons will hook whatever is in the way.

“Grabbing two fish is becoming almost standard for these amazing predators.”

Bruce says the most unusual moment was seeing the osprey emerge with two completely different species at once.

He added:

“The one with two different species was very unusual, but grabbing a pair of herrings is pretty normal now.

“It shows just how efficient and perfectly adapted these birds are when they hunt - they waste no opportunity.”

The images show the sheer power and precision of the birds as they burst from the water, wings spread wide with spray flying in all directions as they secure their catch.

Bruce said:

“It was super fun to watch live and equally fun to look back on in the photos afterwards.”

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