Growing in an Osprey's garden #2

Big Hook is behind Dad, as Harmony watches Mum arrange the latest stick.

LOL, Margaret! The day must be windy still -- the current must came from behind 'Old dad Osprey's head.

That said, I can imagine Big Hook's replied that "Hmmm, I'm sorry you're having a bad hair day, Love." ROFL.

A brief period of relaxation at the nest before it starts again.

Hey Kim, if you think she was having a bad hair day, just imagine what I looked like after a few hours. That's probably why her feathers were standing on end - she'd seen me with my hair being blown in more directions than you'd ever believe possible and got a fright. It wasn't a ghost at all.

Once again, Big Hook had taken off. Dad looks skywards.

She returns a short time later with yet another stick.

There had been other Ospreys flying around in the distance, but both Big Hook and Dad were keeping a close eye on them as they came a little closer.

When you see them gazing upwards, you don't know where to focus your own gaze. Do you keep on watching them to view their responses or do you try to follow these magnificent birds soaring high above. Head on a swivel stuff. Harmony preens, seemingly oblivious to what's going on above.

It was getting a bit to much for Dad. He's normally a very quiet bird, unlike Big Hook, but he was making small sounds of concern.

Wonderful pictures of the lovely Ospreys Margaret. I can totally relate to those moments of fright with our bad-hair days. We're almost 12 hours difference! I'll bid you goodnight, (good day, I meant) and I'm looking forward to continue to follow your wonderful story tomorrow.

Dad took off and he could be observed flying up towards these two other Ospreys. This is a really poor quality shot, but I'm fairly certain he is the one at the rear (middle bird in the picture)

Thanks,Kim and sleep tight. By the time I finish posting these, it'll be just about time to head off to the nest again.

Big Hook also left the nest, leaving Harmony unattended for what may have been close on 10 minutes.

Oops. Here's the photo

The bird in front seems to be a female, but it wasn't Big Hook, who had returned to the nest. The rear bird is certainly Dad and he wanted this other one outa there.

Get a load of those talons.

The bird in front was a much larger bird.

This encounter went on from one end of the bay the to other. I don't know what Big Hook was doing as I didn't take my eyes off these two.

I'm as certain as I can be that this is Big Hook. After the other birds had flown outside Dad and Big Hook's comfort zone, she again came and went from the nest several times.

Again, this is probably Big Hook.

This is definitely Big Hook as she was coming in for a landing on the nest.

Coming in over the trees, heading for the nest.

And here she is, coming in to land.

Well, that's it for yesterday. Thanks for viewing. I'll be heading off to the nest again in a couple of hours.

Wonderful shots Margaret! They are a beautiful family.

You're not wrong there, Resin. For a nest to be able to withstand winds such as those we experienced yesterday is testimony to their skills.

I returned from the nest a short time ago. In contrast to yesterday, there was absolutely nothing going on. The wind had died right down. It had been a warm day and Big Hook stood with her back to the sun, with her right wing extended a little to shelter little Harmony, who I was able to catch brief glimpses of. I didn't see Dad at all.

I'll start a new thread when I get more photos. It may be in a day or two.

Sorry, Pelle. You posted as I was typing. Thank you.

Some of your best shots yet, Margaret. It's almost like following a soap opera on tv....what's going to happen next? I was a little concerned when Harmony was left alone there for a while. Glad they got through those winds OK. I imagine some baby birds may not have been as lucky.

That's wonderful to see. 'Ole Dad will chase potential intruder away, but tolerates little annoyances induced from Willie Wagtails for instance.

Great shots, Margaret. Mum brought back some pretty big sticks, however, I did notice that Dad's contribution stick was fairly small ;o) Oh well, he is the food provider not the stick getter. lol I so want to hug Harmony!!

Isn't the baby growing fast, Kim? I will not miss her/him take flight this year. I'm returning to Margaret's previous thread on "Raising Aussie #4" at present. Boys! Where have I been to have missed out on those wonderful threads last year?

Margaret, I don't think your photos could be any clearer or more beautiful. It's like a continual book that you can't wait to see what happens next. Spectacular, especially the family together!

I agree, this is a wonderful story, as good as watching any show on television! Your photo's and narrative are a can't miss each day. Although, I was gone all day yesterday and didn't get a chance to check in, it's the first thread I came to this morning! I can't wait for each continuing day to see what is happening at the "Perth Osprey Nest". My favorite photo so far has to be the family portrait here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=7205510 but with each new day's photograph's I find a new favorite, LOL.

I still haven't had a chance to go back to past threads but I do indeed intend to see them!

Margaret, you are so kind to share this wonderful experience with all of us here who probably would have never seen such wonderful, close up images of these great birds. As I said before, Osprey's are commonly seen in my area, flying or sitting on their nests at the tops of poles but it's impossible to see what is happening inside the nests. The only views we get are from a distance, as the birds fly to and from their nests, sometimes with a fish in their talons or we look up and see one sitting on the nest. I do love to hear their calls ... so different and distinct! There's a shopping center that I frequent one of the stores and a pair of Ospreys have a nest at the top of a pole in the parking lot and I could stand there for hours just listening to their vocalizations!

Hey, plantlady, that's my favorite photo so far too!!

Thank you all once more. You should see the number of shots I delete and there are definitely limitations on the reach of a 400mm lens for fine detail. Sometimes I just happen to jag the odd reasonable shot when the lighting is just right.

I went to the nest this afternoon. Little Harmony was being fed when I arrived there, although had just about finished eating. Dad came and went several times. Shortly after the chick had finished eating, he arrived at the nest but took off again and headed across the bay, which I thought was a bit odd, as it didn't seem likely that he'd be going fishing again quite so soon. I finally saw what had drawn him over there. Another Osprey way off in the distance and then I lost sight of both of them. It was nothing like what was going on on Saturday.

It was quite a warm afternoon and Big Hook just stood with a wing slightly extended for periods of time to provide shade, or the chick would make its way beneath her chest for shelter from the sun. This shot is of the chick being fed when I first arrived.

I'm going to start a new thread. Please come on over to here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1051498/


This message was edited Oct 27, 2009 6:30 PM