OSPREYCAM
MEET OUR 2025 PRESENTERS
Meet Mark Smith, The 2025 Virginia Osprey Festival Keynote Speaker
Mark Smith is an Award-winning wildlife photographer known for capturing breathtaking moments of birds in flight, particularly the majestic Osprey. He has a massive social media following, has written bestselling books, and has a reputation as a leading voice in the field of bird photography.
His work has been featured online and in print and has inspired countless nature enthusiasts around the world.
He leads workshops globally, sharing his expertise and passion for the wild, and continues to push the boundaries of wildlife photography and videography with unparalleled skill and artistry.
Alex Pellegrini, Maryland-national Capital Park and Planning Commission
Ospreys on the Patuxent - Join us to learn about Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), the often-seen “fish hawk” of local rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Alex Pellegrini will discuss Osprey biology, his experiences banding Ospreys, re-introduction efforts, and how this once-imperiled bird became a conservation success story. Alex is a Naturalist for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) at Patuxent River Park in Prince George’s County, MD and a Farmland Raptor Program Coordinator for the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership.
Alex has the privilege of working with Greg Kearns, the Principal Naturalist at Patuxent River Park and an expert on the wetland ecology of the Chesapeake Bay, who has studied Ospreys for the past 40 years. Alex will share his knowledge of these birds and highlight the magnificence of these raptors.