Growing in an Osprey's garden #5

We've come from here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1053833/#new

The chick, Harmony, is now 52 days old and its noticeable growth rate continues. It is exercising its wings and was obviously lifting a couple of inches off the nest at times, even though it wasn't possible to see its feet because repeated additions of sticks to the nest have built up the sides, obscuring the view. These shots are from yesterday.

Big Hook arriving at the nest after a brief flight around the bay.

Big Hook and her chick gazing at each other. We've noticed Big Hook doing something that Old Ma Osprey was never observed to do. She approaches the chick and then seems to peck at the feathers on its back a few times. It doesn't seem to be an aggressive gesture and doesn't coincide with the chick having been fed, where there may be remnant scraps of food on its feathers - the feeding is a leisurely and quite genteel procedure (not for the poor fish).

The nest is getting too crowded when the chick wants to exercise and Big Hook will either vacate the nest when the chick starts to flap its wings, or the chick will start to exercise after Big Hook has flown off.

Have a look at the wingspan in relation to the width of the nest and it'll give you a good idea of just how much it has grown.

Harmony was gazing something in the sky and paused to look directly at the two observers.

Big Hook and Harmony together.

My fellow observer managed to get some stunning shots of Big Hook coming in to land with a fish. I was a bit slow on the uptake and only got some nest shots. However, this is the first time since I've been observing the ospreys that I've seen either Old Ma Osprey or Big Hook arrive with a fish. Dad was on a branch below the nest.

Harmony watches as Big Hook manoeuvres the fish into a better position.

The chick being fed.

I was so busy watching the chick being fed, I missed an opportunity of catching Dad flying up onto the pole branch. Just the same, he's very beautiful just standing there.

Showers are predicted for tomorrow, so I'll have to wait and see what the weather's like.

How beautiful a family! Harmony is looking more and like Mum?

Gorgeous! I can't believe how big the chick has gotten.

Such lovely photos, Marggie! What a beautiful family!

so you have seen old ma osprey lately? Love the shot of Harmony looking right at you ,National Geographic worthy = ] Tamara

Yes, Harmony is looking every inch the osprey.

Tamara, Old Ma Osprey undoubtedly perished in February this year. The poor old girl was unable to fish for herself because of being blind in her left eye. Once her chick had become independent and very strong, she didn't stand much of a chance. Very sad sequence of events leading to her presumed demise.

Superb photos, Margaret. One of these years, you may find three chicks in the nest. That's when photo opportunities increase dramatically as the activity picks up. That's when you have a full nest.

I can't imagine three in there trying to exercise at the same time!

Oh stop it Linth. I'm already thinking of getting a larger lens and all the accoutrements that go along with it after seeing the results a fellow observer is getting. His shots put mine to shame.

Three stooges

Excellent pictures Margaret! Harmony is so big now and I love the shots where their heads are close.

Margaret, I don't recall but do you have a 1.4x teleconverter ? With the lighting that you have at that location you may do well with a teleconverter. What focal length is your fellow observer using ? Does he have a web site to display his photos ?

Linth, he is using an 800mm. Yesterday he attached a 2x extender. You could see the chick's tonsils! He was contemplating adding a 1.2 or 1.4 to that little lot. I'm sure he won't mind me posting his website. Here it is. http://denisglennon.com/

Yes, I do have a 1.4 extender and have had varying degress of success. It always feels a bit tentative on my rig.

Great photography that Denis has shown thanks Margaret. The accompanying story -- is your signiture Margaret! It's the best of the bests on the birds' behavior.

Incredible photos again Margaret. That Denis has some gorgeous photos too. I couldn't even imagine an 800mm!!

You are doing fantastic with your gear Margaret...but then we always want more reach!! Harmony is such a jewel and looking so much like her Mom and growing up before our very eyes. We are lucky to have this intimate view you have given us!!

His shot of the Osprey with the bird (Willie Wagtail?) on it's back is cute.

What an extraordinary person he is, well beyond his photographic skill. I actually enjoyed his writings as much, if not more, than his photos. He is truly a gifted and talented individual. You are fortunate to know him. He is full of wisdom. I don't know if you have read his article "The Rottnest remedy". One thing that struck me in that article, is the following. He said, "sharing pleasure is itself pleasure". Whether we realize it or not, this is what we all do here at Dave's Garden.

Thanks for sharing his website, Margaret. I will be going back to his site to further partake of his intellect.

My name is Denis, the "fellow observer" of MargaretK's ospreys.
Margaret kindly introduced me to this forum; thank you Margaret.
I had no idea there was such international interest in our Ozzie ospreys.
Margaret's images of these birds in flight (the hardest to capture) are some of the best I have seen.
That they have been captured, handheld, by an amateur photographer, with only a brief experience in bird photography, is testimony to Margaret's inate special skills; well done.
Thank you Linthicum for the generous comments on my modest writing; very much appreciated.
If you have not apready done so, you might enjoy the musings "Solitude, Sea & Self" on my website (go to "Profile" and then "Solitude").
This image was taken with the same focal length configuration as Margaret uses, namely a Canon 400mm plus a 1.4 Converter.
We are fortunate to be able to photograph the ospreys from a safe position that allows us to look into the actual nest; this is indeed a very rare priviledge anywhere in the world.




This message was edited Nov 17, 2009 8:06 PM

This message was edited Nov 17, 2009 8:45 PM

Welcome, Denis. I was just about to send you the missing link. That photo is phenomenal.

Linth, I agree, he is a most remarkable man.

OK folks, now you can expect to see some REALLY remarkable osprey images. Denis, please post as many and as often as you wish.

Welcome Denis! It will be so interesting to see the same family through different eyes.



This message was edited Nov 17, 2009 6:28 PM

Welcome Denis! I have enjoyed looking through your site!

Hi Denis, I am another huge fan of Margaret's and the ospreys. That is a stunning photo you posted there! Made me catch my breath.

Harmny is becoming a stunning osprey. Big Hook & Dad have done good!

Thank you all for the warm welcome.
The pre-sunset light in particular, can do extraordinary things to these ospreys (if they fly!); we are fortunate to be photographing almost directly eastwards at this time.
When the ospreys fly in this golden light, their breathtaking beauty and grace is revealed, as shown in the accompanying image.
On cloudless days, we have about 35 - 40 minutes in which to capture such images, then the sun sinks too low.
It is rare to photograph ospreys in flight, in such wonderful light, from above.

(P.S. I have just noticed there is some digital noise in the larger version of this low res image, when uploaded; will check colour profile required by Dave's Garden.)

This message was edited Nov 17, 2009 9:03 PM

This message was edited Nov 17, 2009 9:09 PM

This message was edited Nov 17, 2009 9:10 PM

Beautiful pictures here and on your website. Welcome to Dave's Garden and the Bird Watching Forum. Please post as many pictures as you can. They are so nice!

G'day, Mate ..... and a warm welcome to Dave's Garden. I'm a little late !

Denis, it is a honor for me to be on the same forum with you. Your photography is superb and brings out a sense of perfectionism. Despite my advancing age, when I grow up I want to be just like you. You epitomize what young people should strive for. Unfortunately, we are entrenched in a world where mediocrity seems to be the norm.

Hopefully you can share a few "Tips & Tricks" for some of us wannabees .......... I'm open to a critical analysis of my photos. If you are sensitive to critiquing photos in an open forum, please use my D-mail.

Thanks, again, for allowing us into your world, down under.

Linthicum,
You may care to visit www.birdsasart.com
Subscribe to Art Morris' monthly bulletin; it is free.
In his monthly bulletin Art provides some of the best "Tips & Tricks" for bird photographers.
He is also one of the best bird photography educators around.
Some of his images are stunning.
Denis.

[In the meantime I hope you & others enjoy this "non-osprey" bird image.]

Stunningly beautiful!

Denis, so nice to have you among us. I was amazed, at the way, you view the conservation of wildlife and how you've captured their natural beauty. You have an awesome website.
I agree with you on Margaret's in flight pictures, she is very good at it. She is doing a tremendous job, on her threads. It's very interesting to follow.

Hi Denis, welcome to DG. What a nice encounter! Bee eaters? Wow, they're gorgeous!!!

Thanks, Denis. I am familiar with Arthur Morris but have not subscribed to his monthly bulletin. I will do so.