Bird Watching: All three chicks have fledged., 1 by MargaretK

MargaretK wrote:
I agree, she is stunning, Pirl. It's hard not to get good static shots when the lighting is as good as it has been.

GG, the youngsters are so funny to watch. At about 4pm, Big Hook, or occasionally Dad, will bring a fish to whichever juvenile is on the nest. The nest is in heavy shadow at that time, but re-emerges at about 5pm and is in and out of shadow from then on. Of course, whenever there's action, it's when the nest is shaded. But anyway, after a fish has been delivered, one of the other kids arrives onto the right hand branch. It knows not to intrude on its siblings dinner and will doze and wake to look to see what's happening with the fish. After about half an hour, hunger kicks in and it starts getting mouthy. The one on the nest might look up, probably with a warning look in its eyes and the one on the branch takes the hint and settles down again. Eventually though, it gets too much and the one on the branch half walks-half flies down onto the nest. The outcome depends on how full the one who has the fish is. If it's pretty well satisfied it will relinquish the fish, but if it hasn't finished, no way is it going to share and a minor battle erupts.

She's a feisty girl, nanny. Reminds me of someone. LOL. Yesterday, I was perched near the top of a rock outcrop and Big Hook was on the pole branch, having just delivered a fish to the nest. A couple of Kookaburras had been diving into the dead nasturtiums just below the low path to catch little lizards. I couldn't actually see what happened, but next thing, Big Hook flew down to have a go at the Kookaburra. I couldn't see what happened as there was a huge tree trunk blocking my view, but after she flew back up to the pole branch, I was concerned enough about the Kookaburra to go in search of it, just in case she'd managed to get it. I saw no sign of it and she certainly didn't have it in her talons.

Thanks, Iris. I'm glad you continue to enjoy these beautiful birds.

Hi Donna. I'm so glad the surgery has worked out. You don't need me to tell you to be careful, especially on uneven ground. It's a pleasure to be able to share what I see. Merry Christmas and continued good health.

Thanks, Linth. Lighting is more than half the battle, isn't it? Funny about wanting to be a meteorologist when you grow up. You always impress me as being truthful, though, so I don't know if you'd make the grade. :)

Thanks for your very kind words, Jan.

From yesterday afternoon, here's one of the youngsters on the branch, calling to its sibling who has a fish.