Growing in an Osprey's garden.

That's interesting about the closed talons when coming into the nest Margaret. I believe I've noticed that in the past and wondered about it. Now I'll have to go back and find the photos.

More spectacular photos!! So crisp and clear. Are you using a teleconverter too?

I see the 400 5.6 is in good hands. Keep them coming

Oh Mags, I am so sorry that I have not been around to see all of the news! But, I am back home and can finally catch up with the new family. Wonderful pix! Maybe, my photos will start to look (almost) as good as yours, since I have new camera with 200 lens. When I learn how to use all of it, I will show you some pix. I am thrilled to see such devotion from both parents. Of course, I just want to grab up the little one and snuggle! This is just as exciting as last year! I am looking forward to your on going story.

I miss you are Marna! I am having a plant swap on October 17, y'all really should join us ;o)

Kim

Welcome back you bahama mama!


Hmm, 677 miles, 10 hours 37 minutes one way to get some plants. har.

Thank you, we had a wonderful time...and hated to leave.

Oh come on, just think of the Fall colors that you will see ;o)) Besides you are a lot closer than Marggie. LOL

Ms. Maggie can probably take pictures of your sale with her new lens.

hahahahahaha

Outstanding shots Margaret! Glad everything is going well there!

Thanks, Linth. It looks like it will be a good Osprey season. It should certainly be more peaceful than the last.

Hi duc. No, I don't use a teleconverter. It's a straight 400mm f5.6 Canon lens. I have tried my 1.4x extender on it, but I haven't had a single clear shot. It's a bit restrictive as well as the autofocus is lost with the extender attached. I've even tried the camera on a tripod but haven't had success with that either.

Hi Kim and welcome back. I hope you had a great holiday. The Ospreys really are great parents.

Thanks Met. I'm loving that lens.

Thank you, Pelle. It's interesting just how much you learn to predict what they're going to do next by subtle changes in voice or movement. It is a truly wonderful learning experience.

Well, all the local observers agree that there is only the one chick. He was on his usual branch eating a fish when I arrived at the nest this afternoon. Here he is bringing the headless portion to Big Hook. Last year, Old Ma Osprey would always feed the chick before she ever had any for herself (that is in the early stages before she and her chick started fighting for food). Big Hook is frantic for a feed when he brings it and after the official handover ceremony, she flies off with it. She sometimes takes it onto his branch to have a bit of a feed before returning to the nest. Other times, she'll come back to the nest and have a feed before feeding her chick.

She has just taken the fish from him and is leaving the nest with it.

Just to make a liar of me, this time she flew around briefly, then returned to the nest.

Dad flew off almost as soon as she arrived back on the nest and she proceeded to feed the little one. I hope you can see it.

Last shot for today, hopefully showing the chick. Their garden is still a bit overgrown and it's not easy to see the chick behind it. The sky became increasingly cloudy and dull - and freezing! I had to bump up the ISO, something I don't like doing with my rig.

Good for her, seems she had a change of heart and decided to feed the baby first.

That's a nice mom, feed the baby first. Great photos once again!

The little chick is becoming more visible to the naked eye, although the greenery still obscures it. I saw it being fed twice in the couple of hours I was there today.

Another.

The parents wouldn't want to misjudge a landing.

Big Hook was flying down onto the nest from the branch.....

She obviously didn't feel comfortable with the way the landing was going....

So she did a go-around.

I can't recall ever seeing any of the Ospreys leave in this direction before.

Beautiful photos and the chick is getting so big already.

No Resin, the wind favoured their usual take off direction and there had been several take-offs and landings during my time there. This really did seem to be a missed approach. This shot was taken only minutes before.

glad to see that greenery is starting to fade. we NEED to see that cute little chick.

Greenery too full of material for gulls to attack?

Great shots of your beauties Margaret!

Ohhh...that little one is growing!!! Big Hook is so striking!

Thanks, Pelle and duc. Yes, Nanny, the chick really is growing and Big Hook really is an outstandingly beautiful bird, although both Madam X and I have a soft spot for "father". It's a good thing they're neglecting their gardening, Mrs Ed. We're not expecting any showers until at least Friday and the forecast of rain here is often an empty promise anyway, so it will become easier to observe the chick.



This message was edited Oct 6, 2009 11:05 AM

Only a couple of photos today. It was dull and cool this afternoon so I stayed at the nest for less than an hour. It's remarkable just how much the chick has grown in the 48 hours since I last saw it.

Oh, and I heard it for the first time. One tiny little "peep".

Stay tuned for more, hopefully tomorrow.

Wow she is getting big! Great pics Margaret!

Pelle, I was really surprised at the difference in just two days. It is also moving around far more than Aussie was at the same stage. See the garden is beginning to take on Autumnal tones. LOL

Kind of nice they can focus all their energy on the one chick.

Yes, GP and I don't anticipate the same degree of conflict as occurred last season. It should be a much more normal event.

Margaret,great photos,I need a 400mm lens ,before we go see the eagles,or I will be sad not to be able to get close up shots.Iam going to look at some today !!!

Hi Tamara. Good luck with the lens search. What I particularly like about mine is that I can hand hold it. I'm no great shakes with a tripod. Let us know what you decide on.

ha! look at that big mouth on such a little baby! cute cute cute.

Oh Margaret, that chick really has grown. These last photos are fantastic. I'll be interested to find out what age this chick actually starts changing colors. Patience, that's what I need. I'm just so anxious to see that this little one survives.