Growing in an Osprey's garden #3

Oh...great phots Margaret!! I like that last one too.

Wonderful family portrait when Big Hook is whispering to Dad. Harmony is growing so fast...

Thank you all.

Yesterday was once again very, very windy and there were too many comings and going from the nest to be able to keep track of just who was where at what time. The only constant is that Harmony was in the nest the entire time.

When I arrived at the nest, Big Hook was busy preening herself.

When it's really windy, you can almost guarantee seeing other ospreys flying around. The dead giveaway of something other than just the sun in the sky is when the birds on the nest start looking skywards. Harmony has developed to the stage where she's not only aware of her immediate external environment, but also what's going on farther afield and joins Big Hook in gazing at whatever it was in the sky.

Both Dad and Big Hook were doing quite a lot of hovering just above the nest. This is Dad.

Dad flying probably only 50' above my head.

Down to the southern end of the bay and back again.

He landed on the left hand nest branch and lo and behold, he's grown a beard.

In amongst all these comings and goings, Dad had brought a fish. I took a couple of shots but because he was landing with his back to the camera, it's not worth posting. Here's Harmony being fed by Big Hook.

Dad cruises by.

Then, once again, for a brief period of time, they're all on the nest together.

Then, typically, after Big Hook had fed Harmony and herself, she took off. Dad glances skywards - so did I and could see an osprey, but have no idea if it was Big Hook.

A few minutes later, rather than behind and above me, I could see two ospreys way over the other side of the bay - at least a couple of km. One of them started heading towards the nest and by the sounds Dad was making, I was certain it was Big Hook.

Sure enough, I was able to keep her in the viewfinder all the way across the bay. Here she's doing a bit of manoeuvring before doing a low pass over the nest, changing her mind about touching down at the last moment.

A possible reason she decided against landing was this Osprey who was flying about. It looked quite dark and was much smaller than Big Hook. Dad was still on the nest.

Dad and Harmony

A few more minutes pass. Big Hook can still be seen flying back and forward at about 200' and Dad again looks skywards, beyond where she is.

This is what he was looking at. Not absolutely certain as to what it is, but probably an Australian Hobby, a falcon and easily at 800 - 900'. Well, Big Hook soared up to where it was, Dad took off out of the nest but before he reached there, there was already a second Osprey up there. All three combined to chase the Hobby out of the area. Unfortunately no shots of all of them up there. I just wasn't quick enough to get them all in the frame at the one time.

Margaret the picture quality is always perfect, truly a great story and thread, looking forward to seeing Harmony with the first flying moments.

From memory, I think this may have been the intruder, but it may also have been Big Hook. It's almost impossible to keep track on days like that. Whichever bird it is, it was glancing down into the nest.

Thanks Burd. I was cussing that it wasn't all happening later in the day when the sun was at a better angle for taking photos. (Some people are never satisfied, are they)?

Whilst the Hobby and intruder were in the area and during Dad and Big Hook's absence, Harmony kept a keen eye on what was going on.

When Big Hook finally returned to the nest after probably 45 minutes absence, she had a real close look at her kid. Dad had returned a while earlier.

That's it until this afternoon. I'm glad you're continuing to enjoy their story.

Absolutely gorgeous pics Margaret! Their a lovely family and I'm always amazed at Harmony's size.

I've been anxiously awaiting updates! Harmony is getting so big, what a beautiful baby! I still love the family photo's when you can get shots of them all together! It's interesting to see how Harmony is hunkering down in the nest and looking skyward while the intruder is in the area.

So many great shots! I love the one of Big Hook with the mountains and city in the background. It seems like every new photo I look at becomes a favorite ... until another is posted. That was a great one you entered in the photo contest too! ^_^

G'night for now!

Thanks, Pelle. Yes, after last season, it's always good to see such peace at the nest. I'll be heading off there again in a couple of hours to check on Harmony's overnight growth. Not so windy today, so I don't expect the same level of activity as yesterday.

Sorry Lin, cross-posted. Thanks. Only thing when it hunkers down, with the addition of all the sticks they brought in a week ago, it's hard to get a clear shot.

More perfect photos Margaret. I love the one of Harmony and Dad. I also loved the one of Harmony watching up in the sky. I can almost imagine how worriedl Harmony must be when both parents are up in the sky and there's a stranger going by. Makes you wish there were two chicks that could huddle together.

Thank you for all these beautiful photos and the continuing story-love them!!

Beautiful photos!! Little Harmony is really beginning to look like an Osprey now!

What an adorable family!

I'm going to be experiencing withdrawals. I didn't go to the nest yesterday and won't be able to today. Here are a few shots from the day before yesterday. This was the picture as I got to the nest.

Big Hook and Dad together. Harmony is behind Big Hook and out of sight.

They saw something bothersome flying above. Dad was making his short, sharp calls.

Dad took off and joined the other osprey way above. The shots are too distant for any identifying detail, but it certainly doesn't appear to be the same one as the day before. That one had been very heavily marked. This one has minimal markings on its chest. I'm assuming that Dad is the bird in the rear. There was no conflict between them; they just soared back and forwards, often in unison, for maybe 10-15 minutes, before Dad broke off and headed back to the nest.

Dad on his way back down.

Oh my, what a lovely photo of the family all together in the nest.

I think it would be difficult at times trying to manage the daily routine of life, as well as trekking to the nest so often. I hope your withdrawal's only last for a little while and that you can visit the nest site at least once a week. It won't be long before Harmony is fledging the nest and going out on his/her own. It sure has been a wonderful journey seeing the photo's and having you relate this wonderful Osprey family story! I sure appreciate you sharing these times with us, and I'll still be "watching" this thread for future updates!

Over the top.

Thanks Lin. I'm in a position where I can go almost every day. It's just that sometimes other less interesting aspects of life have to come to the forefront, temporarily.

Love the shot of Mom & Dad together! I wonder if the other Osprey that Dad went to meet was maybe an extended family member?

LOL, I understand .. sometimes Life gets in the way of things we'd rather be doing!

Second over the top shot.

When Dad arrived back at the nest he didn't stay long and headed off to a different part of the bay, which I thought was a bit odd. I was able to keep and eye on him nearly all the time and in less than 10 minutes he was flying back to the nest with weeds in his talons, similar to what Big Hook did a few days ago. Big hook was decidedly unimpressed and politely asked him if he'd go get something more substantial. It was funny though, because when he brought it back, he kept staring at it as if puzzled by what he had at feet. He left once again and flew off to the other side of the bay and was back in 15 minutes with a fish.

Oh how true is that.