Growing in an Osprey's Garden #7

although it elected to return to the nest as soon as the WWT had had its bit of fun.

More great shots! I wonder what goes through Harmony's mind with that little Wagtail badgering him? To him it's probably just annoying like skeeters are to us humans! ^_^ Cute little fellow the Willie Wagtail, but I wonder why those little birds harass the Osprey?

A few minutes later, Big Hook flew in the a mullet.

Lin, Willie Wagtails will harass anyone, including humans who get too close to their nest during breeding season. They are amazingly fearless little birds. A man who lives on the other side of the road near the nest has a WWT that comes into his back patio via a partially open door, hops up onto his foot or knee and takes little bits of cheese from him. After that, it will either leave or go to sleep sitting on foot or knee. His wife was relaxing in this room just a few days ago when the WWT came in and was running around all up and down her arms and on her face, perching on her glasses to gaze into her eyes. A Swedish visitor was delighted when one was running up and down her arms and legs as she lay on a sun lounge by the pool. There are many wonderful stories to tell about them. Many's the time I've been sitting observing the ospreys and one will come and land right next to me.

Touchdown, as Harmony runs over to retrieve the fish.

Harmony is desperately trying to get hold of the fish, even though Big Hook hasn't had a chance to let go of it.

Harmony continues to scramble forward in an effort to take the fish.

And the action really hots up and starts to become a bit of a blur. There's a stick in the way, but Harmony's head is down near Big Hooks foot and its butt's in the air.

Now things are a complete blur. Big Hook has no way of extricating herself.

Harmony's right foot is up in the air. All the pale feathers belong to Harmony, whilst Big Hooks wings are outstretched behind.

More pushing and shoving by Harmony whilst Big Hook just tries to remain on the nest. I assume that Big Hook still has the fish in her talons and because she's being pushed backwards, is unable to release it.

One hungry baby! And mama caught in the middle, LOL. Wonderful photo's!

Yes, it was a little peckish, Lin.

It became so vigorous, that scales were flying off in all directions.

Eventually, Big Hook was able to disentangle herself and leave the hungry chick to feed itself.

Big Hook has tightened her feathers as a result of the boisterous exchange and looks quite skinny. Harmony devotes her attention to the poor fish that was at the centre of all that activity.

"See ya later, brat"

She seeks some peace on top of the pole branch.

Harmony took an hour to eat the fish. She flew up onto the branch afterwards and stayed there, dozing, until the whole area was in shadow.

Big Hook returned with yet another fish and landed on a branch under the nest. You can see the straggly bits of the bottom of the nest at the top of the image. She called multiple times to Harmony, awaiting the sounds of a hungry response, but the best the chick could muster up was a glance of bored disinterest in Big Hooks direction. Big Hook had no alternative than to eat the fish herself and that's what she was doing as I left.

Really nice captures Margaret! Harmony seems to be quite a pain, now that its much bigger. Not sure when Big Hook decides she's had enough, but at least she doesn't have a handicap like Ol Ma had.

Burd, what I'm seeing is new to me because last season was anything but normal. It will be interesting to get Pete's and Denis' slant on this mad scrambling for a fish - they have both been observing for a few years and it may not be novel to them.

Harmony was very fortunate Mom and Dad could both provide fish. One spoiled Osprey! Needs to learn some manners.

Marg, you will have to tell Big Hook that there is (at least) one other Mother that spoils her kids! ME! If she does not know how to spoil Harmony completely, have her call me, I will teach her ;o))

Love the pix...as always. I come here first thing every morning to get a Harmony fix...then I smile the rest of the day. Thank You!

Margaret, I love all your photos, but the ones with the WWT really were awesome. I loved the photos where the chick was scrambling for the fish. I wonder if its just in their nature to grab as fast as they can as they grow older?

This message was edited Dec 10, 2009 7:22 AM

Wonderful photos of the moment by moment between Mom and Harmony! Thank you Margaret you do such a wonderful job showing their life at the nest!

Had a lot to catch up on. Wonderful story Margaret. Easy to follow and interesting.
Harmony is showing sign of growing up. Her stumbling and falling and venturing out and disrespect.Typical teenager. ;) She will probably need that skill, to fend for herself, against others in the real world though. It's cruel out there!!! Big Hook and Dad has been, such a good parents to her and still are. Such a wonderful family.

great shots, loving this,thank you Margaret

Well, here's a bit of an update, but the photos will have to follow with more details. Harmony/Havoc is becoming stronger and more confident with each passing day. Madame X saw her flying up and down the bay with three other ospreys the morning before yesterday in the strong wind that they love so much. We can only assume that the fourth osprey is Aussie. It is spending sometimes several hours at a time away from the nest. When Big Hook and Harmony were in different trees outside her place, Madame X says that they frequently communicated with each other with their very distinctive sounds. Both Big Hook and Dad are bringing fish and and Big Hook would seem to be the major provider at the present time.

I'll try to organize some photos to post tomorrow.

Thanks for the update!

Great pictures Margaret. Osprays are such beautiful birds and your photos are awesome. Harmony has really grown in the past couple months and his behavior does seem very much like a rebellious teenager.

The first series show Harmony's trying to be independent, telling Big Hook, "Leave me alone. I'll go when I'm ready".

But the next series, with Big Hook bring the fish, Harmony shows us that he really isn't ready to start taking care of himself yet. Just like a human teen, he seems to be saying, "I want it and I want it NOW!" And, in his impatience to grab the fish, he get's himself into a bit of a fix. I wonder if Big Hook told him, "Hey kid, don't get your knicker in a knot."? :)

Thanks for updating us Margaret. I know it's consuming lots of your time to post photos and keep us updated and we all appreciate it.

Yes, Margaret ... thanks for the update on the family. It sure has been a joy seeing your photo's and daily accounts of what the Osprey's are up to! It seems like Harmony has grown so fast, and a bit sad that he is leaving the nest already ... but like all children, they have to learn to spread those wings and fly!

I wonder if that was Aussie flying along with the family a few days ago? What a sweet picture that must be of all four of them flying together!

Look forward to seeing more photo's of Dad osprey, Big Hook and Harmony ... and any other birds you happen view!

Hard to believe it is almost over already...... :(

I don't like to think of it as being over ... hopefully there will be continuation with the extended family. ^_^

OK, sorry I've been a bit tardy in keeping you up to date. I've continued going to the nest almost every day, but the only remarkable action has been by the Willie Wagtails, who've been relentlessly attacking every large bird they see, from Ospreys, to Ravens, to Kookaburras and Magpies. All three ospreys have been copping it in turn.

Harmony has been spending very little time at the nest, choosing to spend a lot of it in select trees outside Madame X's, along with Dad and Big Hook. I haven't seen it eating for a few days, but it is certainly not begging for food, which indicates it's still being well fed. We wonder if the parents will start keeping Harmony a little bit hungry to encourage attempts to catch fish for itself.

Here are a few shots of what's been happening with the Willie Wagtails.

First, Big Hook is contentedly sitting perched on top of the pole branch, preening herself after arriving very wet from having a bath.

Then, along comes the Willie Wagtail, chattering, wheeling and diving all over the place in an attempt to drive the osprey off.

Another day and this time Dad is the target.

The protective nictitating membrane is often seen across the eyes during these assaults.

The Willie Wagtail wins and Dad flies off to more peaceful spot.

Big Hook lands on the left hand branch and is almost immediately set upon.

I need to add that these photos are not all sequential.

The onslaught continues..