Growing in an Osprey's Garden #8

I wish I could show you these events on video.

Last shot from today.

I understand completely the need to just want to take a photo. I would most likely have already broken my neck in that terrain! lol

I can't wait until next season!

Marggie,

The pictures are wonderful. Harmony looks quite happy.

Beautiful shots Marg! They both look great!

Beautiful photos Margaret. I don't think a video could show us these gorgeous birds any better than you already do with the camera you already have.

It's so fantastic, to see the continuance of this series and the progress Harmony is showing. Thanks Pete and Denis for contributing, your photos and observations. Margaret I'm glad to hear, your still working on that book. I can't wait for it to come out.

These photos are such a delight Pete, Denis and Margaret! Thanks so much for braving the elements and terrain to continue the story.

Well, hello all. I didn't manage to get to the nest the last two days, but went late this afternoon. Harmony was on the nest - I could hear the distinctive sounds before I saw anything. It looked as if Harmony was snacking on a fish, but I think it must have been the remnants of an old one and s/he called and called towards the stand of trees where all three are tending to congregate. I could see Dad on his favourite branch enjoying his catch and totally ignoring harmony's calls. Then, sure enough, as soon as the lighting was at its very worst, Big Hook arrived with a fish. Fortunately Harmony was acting as an EWS and I managed to get a few shots of Big Hook coming in.

Of course Harmony is squealing in anticipation of a nice fresh meal.

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Big Hook stayed probably about 12-14 seconds before flying off. Harmony didn't seem all that hungry and after standing on the nest clutching the fish in his/her talons for a few minutes, eventually flew off, with fish firmly grasped in talons, to who knows where.

Margaret...your photos are just awesome but must tell you that your commentary is equally delightful and insightful!! This thread is a jewel!!

Sounds like a typical teenager! LOL

More spectacular photos Margaret! I love the screeching that comes from these young birds. It took me a while to understand they weren't in distress, but talking to other osprey and I think Nanny hit it right-a typical teenager.

Aaah, It looks like Harmony just didn't want to eat in on this particular day, guess he needed a change of scenery for dining so took his fish to another branch?

Margaret: Hope all is well. I'm missing news about Harmony, Big Hook and Dad ... anything happening around the nest lately?

Well, there's really not much to update. I went to the nest yesterday for the first time in nearly a week. I couldn't see or hear anyone, so performed the most graceful scrambling down the embankment I've done in a while and Big Hook came and landed in a nearby tree for a few minutes, before flying off to the other side of the bay. I didn't see Harmony, but one of the locals said it had been squawking away on the nest most of the day.

We're going into a heat wave (38, 41, 41, & 38C) over the next few days, so unless there's a sea breeze, it will be a few days before I venture back there.

I'll keep you updated on any activity.

Big Hook yawning. For those of you who followed Aussie's story, on Tuesday I went to Garden Island, where Old Ma Osprey was banded way back in 1990. The reaction of the ospreys there was very different to this family's acceptance of our presence.

Very interesting, Big Hook came to check on you, to see if you were ok huh? It shows they have accepted you and your colleague, as part of their family. Quite a privilege. Great close-up!!!

Margaret: Thanks for the new picture ... really beautiful as always! I bet the Osprey's are trying to stay cool. That is a real heat wave at @ 100ºF!! and I bet it's humid as well with all that water around! I can't imagine being out in temperatures like that. We have to deal with mid to upper 90's sometimes during our summer and with the high humidity it really is draining. You take care and stay inside in the air conditioning ... no scrambling around embankments!

Great pics Margaret!

Thanks, Pelle.

Ha, Burn, I don't think she was checking to see that I was OK. I think it was a chance thing. But it is wonderful that they are so comfortable with the human presence.

Lin, when we're in heat wave conditions, generally the humidity is fairly low. It's when the trough passes the coast that the temperatures drop a bit but the humidity soars. That's when it's really awful.

This message was edited Jan 16, 2010 7:07 PM

I thought I'd give an update. I've been to the nest several times, but mostly there's been very little activity, all three birds enjoying life at a quiet pace. I don't know if Harmony has been catching fish, but it still calls for food from either Big Hook or Dad when it's hungry. I've started going down to the other side of the river on the off chance I might see one of them fishing, but so far, nothing.

This shot and the next are from three days ago. The nest was in full shadow and there was a bit of cloud around as well, so I've had to play with them a bit. It was very windy and it missed the branch as it was blown backwards.

Having a shake.

Harmony, yesterday afternoon. It was still there on the nest when I left, not far off dusk.

Thanks for keeping us updated on Harmony, Margaret. She's quite the little lady now. Beautiful pics.

Ohhhh...quite the looker there!

Yes, beautiful and grown up looking!

Thanks for the update, Marg. I have been missing you and Harmony!

Harmony is so beautiful...ummm...handsome...okay, beautifully handsome ;o))

Thank you, GP, nanny, pelle and Juney, and thanks y'all, Kim.

Tell Harmony to catch his/her own fish now.

Iris, I'm sure Harmony would be catching some of his/her own fish by now, I just haven't seen it. I've started to hang out in likely spots, but there's a limit to the amount of time that can be spent waiting on the chance that an osprey might be a bit peckish at the time I was at a certain spot on the river.

Ask her to post meal times :)

LOL. I'll do that.

I am getting confused between thread #8 & #9.....is it just me???

You threw me there, nanny. I've been posting any information about Old Ma Osprey on Aussie's thread from the end of last season, that's why it has resurfaced and why both threads are "active" at the moment. "Raising Aussie Osprey" is on thread #9 and "Growing in an Osprey's garden" is still on #8.

Well now that you mention it I do see the difference. I will go back to my corner now and be quiet! ^_^