Soaring On The Thermals

This soaring osprey very well could be taking advantage of a thermal to travel and hunt. Thermals are large columns of warm air that rise into the atmosphere that provide enough lift that the bird need not waste energy on flapping.

Migrating raptors frequently use thermals to drift long distances over the landscape. Humans have learned to take advantage of efficient form of travel in sports such as glider planes, parasailing, and paragliding. 

World record paragliders have traveled over 300 miles in a single trip using the power of thermals.

Photo Courtesy Of Susan Schubel