When ospreys hunt for fish, they dive into the water to catch them and then lift them into the air. But when one osprey dived into the water for a meal, he got stuck, and it looked like he might drown.
Fortunately, Cindy and her family were out in a boat and willing to help the struggling animal. As they approached, Cindy grabbed one of the oars and held it out to the scared animal to use as a perch.
With the osprey secure on the oar, her husband turned the boat back toward land. The whole way back, Cindy was completely still, holding the oar steady for the bird.
Even though she was rescuing the osprey, the animal was still wild. Being this close to a wild animal was still dangerous, so Cindy kept her head down to protect herself.
Cindy was so stoic that she did not even flinch when the osprey tried to use her thumb as a foothold and accidentally cut up her hand with its sharp talons.
Even when they got closer to the shore, Cindy was still. She did not want to risk another cut from the osprey’s talons and startle the already scared animal. Thinking quickly, one of the woman’s daughters prodded the osprey to get it moving.
That was all the urging the osprey needed. With a strong flap of its wet wings, the osprey took off into the air, leaving the awe-stricken rescuers behind. What a brave and tough woman.
