Growing in an Osprey's garden #5

As soon as Big Hook left the nest, Harmony started exercising and continued to in short bursts for mch of the time I was there.

It was flapping very vigorously and had a bit of a stumble.

A split second later.

It was not in any danger of tumbling out of the nest.

A moment later, the recovery. It made a few little cries of consternation during these few seconds and Big Hook called back to it from the nearby branch as if to reassure it.

I saw it lift higher than these few inches. You may be able to see that both feet are off the nest floor.

A quick, distant shot of the two flying above.

Big Hook returned as the shadow was creeping over the nest. Once again she sort of nudged the chick with her beak a couple of times. I've no idea what that's about. I never observed Old Ma Osprey doing anything similar last year when Aussie was at a similar stage of development.

I should have said that I didn't get any shots that showed her doing the nudging. They settled down and were watching the two other ospreys flying at the end of the bay.

.. and as they flew overhead.

I left shortly after taking this shot of Dad or the other guy flying past.

Great shots Margaret! Harmony is growing like a weed, They are such an incredibly loving family. Love the flight shot too.

Wonderful pictures Margaret. the business with the fish tail was interesting--like the first time human kids try a difficult food. When my oldest DD was a year, we tried her with mashed potatoes. They came back out a lot faster than they went in. Harmony was a better worker at eating.

Margaret, I wonder what the rent would be on that waterfront nest if they had to pay it?

Margaret, your photos still show Harmony's innocent child eyes as they look up into the sky. They're all so perfect! This little one is gorgeous and growing much too fast for me.

Gorgeous photos!!

That had to be great fun to watch with that fish tail! Would love to hear the sounds of delight while excercising its wings.....

Thanks pelle. (I'll start the next thread with the next round of images).

LOL Iris. The chick certainly knew what it needed to do with the tail. If it picked it up by the wrong end, it would manoeuvre it so that it would go down the right way.

Thanks, duc. Yes it is perfect.

GP, I checked out the rental for their site. Three dozen West Australian rock lobsters, 20 ocean caught Barramundi and 50kg Exmouth King Prawns - per week.

nanny, the sounds it makes when exercising are of pure joy.

Here's another uncropped shot from yesterday showing the shadow making its way over the nest.

And they have to keep repairing it, Margaret.

Margaret,
Can you hear me groaning!! I'm following progress from Singapore, fly to Bangalore today. Yesterday Sarah and I saw two raptors soaring above the harbour, probably fish eagles. I think this week Harmony will fly. Looking at your photos I'm confident Harmony is a male. Still quite small, and no markings - would be good to post an image of Aussie from last year when 'she' was also fledging (around Xmas I recall).
Keep them coming, and Lith I haven't responded to your forum, but great 'Baldie' shots.
Cheers
Pete

So that's what the sound was, Pete. I thought it was the branch scraping along the gutter in the wind.

Good thinking about posting photos of Aussie at the same age. I've just been through my photos and will start thread No 6 with one of Harmony yesterday at 57 days and Aussie on December 16th last year, also at 57 days.

Here's the link. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1057992/


This message was edited Nov 23, 2009 12:14 PM

This message was edited Nov 23, 2009 12:18 PM