Growing in an Osprey's garden #4

No exciting activity yesterday, but I thought I'd better include one shot of Harmony.

I'm glad you did add one photo of Harmony. That baby is just so cute!! Goodness, I bet that Dove really was shocked to see dad sitting so close. I can almost see the shock in that little ones eyes when it's discovered the big guy sitting there.

Beautiful photos, every one of them!!

It was a glorious day in Perth today and with the warmer weather, activity on the river increases. Lots of yacht races, people in their "tinnies" crabbing, kayakers trying to enjoy a peaceful paddle trying to avoid water-skiers who displayed varying degrees of talent at their chosen sport. I spent a couple of hours at the nest. Things were very quiet when I first got there. Big Hook was sitting quietly, Harmony was sleeping and Dad was nowhere to be seen, an indicator that feeding had recently taken place. After half an hour or so, the chick roused itself. Here is the little darling looking at its mum.

Checking each other out.

Big Hook and Harmony just looking beautiful.

Yachts and other pleasure craft are seen in the bay in all but the most awful weather. Today there was a jet-ski with a couple of yobboes roaring around. They were so close to the embankment that I only occasionally got glimpses of it doing "burn outs'. Big Hook was really distressed by it, watching as it screamed up and down the bay. The chick didn't like it either and huddled under the edge of the nest. Here, Big Hook is politely asking them to vacate the area.

Harmony sits up and watches as Big Hook continues to berate the jet ski and its occupants, as if to see what its mother is going to do about this unholy racket.

Big Hook flew off the nest several times, clearly distressed by the racket. These birds are well accustomed to the passing parade below and it is very unusual for them to become so upset. I'll admit to having some rather uncharitable thoughts about the jet ski's occupants. Here she is, having briefly alighted on one of the nest branches.

So, what do you do when the peace is disturbed by noisy humans on a jet ski? You chase a Cormorant. It was obvious she was so irritated and had nothing else to vent her spleen on.

Rotten shot, but here she is returning to the nest. The Cormorant escaped unscathed.

The Osprey has landed.

An airplane went over. Harmony kept an eye on it.

It is so aware of its external environment. I just love this shot.

Big Hook continued to come and go. It seems that whenever she's distressed, the answer is to bring sticks to the nest - or chase a poor, bewildered Cormorant.

A Willie Wagtail dropped by for a brief visit. The WWT's have babies which have fledged. I don't know if they're nesting in a different spot to last year, but there just hasn't been the same amount of harassing going on.

Last shot for the next couple of days. Big Hook and Harmony, as the shadow started to make its way onto the nest.

Margaret, the last pictures of Mum and Harmony is most beautiful. It's amazing that the child seems to have 'obsorbed' its Mum's behavior as it's becoming more aware of the external environment.

The poor Cormorants appear to need some lessons on self-assertiveness? Whereas the Willie Wagtails need to learn a healthy respect for their fellow birds in the community.

As far as Big Hook's behavior

I wonder if Big Hook brings more sticks to the nest because she's worrying if Harmony is protected enough from the jet skiis? Whatever the reason, I'm happy to see she's being so protective.

Margaret, we'll all miss you over the two days. Your photos are so beautiful. Harmony seems to be growing every day and becoming as beautiful as her/his parents.

Hi Duc, I've the same impression, a healthy constructive 'home building' activity contributed apparently by Mum Big Hook. But when she 'took it out on the poor cormorant' I'm concern if that could be excessive at time? If Harmony were a young boy he could emulates such gesture as It's okay for me to become a bully when I grow up ? Then again, if Harmony were a young girl I hope 'she' will intepretate such behavior as It's awesome! Mum can stand up to adversity, so can I when it's my turn . It's a complicated world out there!

Margaret that pic of Mum on the branch looking back is just awesome! Harmony is just beautiful! I can just imagine what she is thinking about that plane passing over...."Oh My! What a huge Osprey!"

This message was edited Nov 8, 2009 12:41 PM

Oh Margaret that opening shot is just beautiful of Harmony!! Love the one on post for November 8 at 8:10 AM . I may need those I think!!

You and these beautiful birds continue to take my breath away....

It's amazing, how Harmony's plumage serve as a great camouflage, in that nest. Very well protected. The way you explain things, makes it easy to visualize the goings on there. Making it very interesting. The photos speaks a thousand words also.

Incredible shots Margaret!! Their such a wonderful family!

Great pix, Marg!

Incredible photos, every single one of them!! I can't begin to tell you how much I've learned from you patiently sitting for hours and photographing these beautiful birds. Each photo is just superb.

I can hardly wait until Spring arrives in our area so that I'll be able to observe our own nesting osprey. The lessons I've learned from you on these birds' behavior will certainly help me know what's happening. My only problem will be I'll be so disappointed when my photos will be taken from the ground and not from higher up as you're doing.

i lost the thread for a few days I can not believe how Harmony has changed in just a few days ,he or she is beautiful already

I wasn't at the nest for a couple of days, but went there yesterday afternoon. I haven't organized my photos for posting yet, but will do so this morning.

Harmony looks so much older now, can anyone figure out its sex yet, or is it still too early?

Thanks everyone.

Juney, from what I've read, young ospreys have the dark "bib" on their chests, regardless of what sex they are and until they're a couple of years old, there's no definite way of determining if the bird is male or female. They reach sexual maturity when they're two or three years old. We all tended to think that Aussie was a female, more because of the behaviours "she" exhibited, not because of her breast markings. With the adult birds, the female is larger and generally has a prominent bib, whereas the smaller male has much lighter markings.

Duc, it will be interesting to see what you observe. It's a shame you'll be looking at the nest from below, but then I think, hey this is a person who can take photos of Bald Eagles flying past her deck and perching in nearby trees and suddenly the sympathy I feel diminishes a little. LOL.

It was quite hot when I got to the nest yesterday afternoon. Harmony was lying in Big Hook's shade.

Big Hook would occasionally glance around her, but most of the time she took the opportunity to have a snooze.

When the chick rouse, it started to make its way forward. Big Hook immediately acted to put herself between the chick and the edge of the nest, whilst gently using her body to move the chick back.

Another shot of Big Hook using her own body to move the chick.

Ongoing

The amazing maternal instinct to protect the chick from a potentially dangerous area of the nest.

Big Hook just continued to block Harmony's movement and coax her back a bit.

The chick moved back just a tiny bit, but it was obviously enough to satisfy Big Hook that it was no longer in danger and took off for a quick flight around the bay.

Harmony gets up and starts walking to the other side of the nest. It is now very steady of its feet and no longer needs to wing walk.

Once again the growth within just three days is remarkable. Here is Harmony exercising those beautiful wings.

It is so wonderful to watch.

Still exercising.