Osprey’s Unusual Encounter: A Shark Falls from the Sky at Myrtle Beach Golf Course
By Melissa Cristina Márquez
In a remarkable incident that showcases the fascinating interconnections between land and sea, Jonathan Marlowe had an unexpected guest during a game of disc golf at the Splinter City Disc Golf Course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Known for their striking hunting skills, ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are often referred to as “fish hawks.” This name is appropriate due to their unique foot adaptations that allow them to capture slippery prey with remarkable efficiency. Unlike many other birds of prey, ospreys possess the ability to rotate their outer toes, providing them with a formidable grip by having two talons facing forward and two facing back. This adaptation is complemented by their sharply curved talons and footpads that feature tiny spines, resembling Velcro, which help them hold onto fish scales securely.
Having lived in Sarasota during university, I often observed these magnificent birds in action, sometimes carrying small fish under 12 inches (30 cm) in their powerful grip, and on occasions, much larger catches. While their hunting prowess is commendable, nature can be unpredictable, and even the most skilled hunters can face challenges.
On that fateful day, as Marlowe enjoyed a sunny afternoon on the course, he spotted an osprey gliding gracefully overhead near the 11th hole. At first glance, this was a typical sight for locals familiar with the raptors hunting along the Atlantic coast. However, the scene quickly escalated into an unexpected aerial drama. As the osprey soared above, it suddenly found itself under attack by two aggressive crows engaging in a behavior known as “mobbing.” This tactic involves smaller birds collaborating to drive off larger predators, often seen during breeding season when defending nests from perceived threats.
The osprey, while managing to evade injury amidst the chaos, sadly lost its meal during the fray. Marlowe watched in disbelief as the osprey’s prize plummeted to the ground. Intrigued by this spectacle, he approached the landing site, expecting to find a common fish like a trout or mullet. Instead, he was met with a shocking sight: a hammerhead shark.
“We couldn’t believe it and kept asking ourselves, ‘Did that really just happen?’” Marlowe recounted in an interview with Garden & Gun magazine. The fallen shark, unfortunately, did not survive the incident. Hammerhead sharks are easily identifiable due to their distinctive wide and flattened heads, known as cephalofoils, which aid in sensory perception and maneuverability. Out of the ten species of hammerhead sharks found globally, several inhabit the waters off the southern U.S. coast, including the bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) and the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran). Of notable interest is the Carolina hammerhead (Sphyrna gilberti), a rare species first documented in 2013, which has garnered attention in recent years for its presence in South Carolina waters.
As of now, it remains unclear which species of hammerhead was involved in this incident; however, the striking visual left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. Marlowe chose to leave the shark at the site, hopeful that the osprey might return to reclaim its lost meal. This decision allowed other curious individuals to discover the peculiar scene and share in the astonishment, including a group of disc golfers who stumbled upon the small hammerhead and were understandably perplexed by the situation.
“They were standing there in shock with no frame of reference for what could have possibly happened,” Marlowe noted. Indeed, witnessing a shark on a golf course is an extraordinarily rare event, particularly in a non-themed setting. While the idea of a shark falling from the sky may seem reminiscent of a ridiculous science fiction movie like Sharknado, this occurrence is a genuine example of the intricate relationships between the ocean, land, and sky.
Ospreys are not just remarkable fishers; they serve as a vital link between the sea and the sky, capable of hunting creatures that typically reside far beneath the ocean’s surface. Although the hammerhead shark did not survive the drop, its life contributed to an extraordinary predation event that many may never have the opportunity to witness.
