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I was riding my bicycle into downtown yesterday from my home in Eastwick when I spotted an osprey over the Grays Ferry Bridge. I stopped by bike and walked to the edge of the bridge the osprey was flying south down the river. Ospreys are a near-eagle sized brown and white bird of prey that have rebounded dramatically after being decimated by pesticide pollution through the 70′s. Although I have seen them on the Delaware River and at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, this was the first I’ve seen over the Schuylkill in Philadelphia. The osprey flew further downstream and dove feet first into the river and caught a fish. It immediately flew into some trees where I lost sight of it.

Not only was it a thrill to see one of my favorite birds, but it was in the same field of view as one of my favorite Philly landmarks”"the Grays Ferry Swing Bridge. The bridge, now locked in its open position, was built in 1902 by the American Bridge Company for the Pennsylvanian Railroad”"it is one of two swing bridges in Philly. This whole section of the river I find quite visually appealing, with the idle bridge. Osprey or no osprey, it is worth a trip to see this remnant of by-gone Philadelphia and the view of the skyline is spectacular.

Gray’s Ferry Bridge
Grey’s Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146

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