They're ba-a-ack. Osprey season begins.

Our house finches originally came from the west coast, but they are not a problem.

Laughing Turtledoves usually carelessly cross half a dozen sticks together and call it a nest. This male had been boasting to his new girlfriend about the nest he was able to provide her with. In this shot, he's telling her of the difficulty he had carrying some of those sticks.

"... and it comes with a nice view as well"

They left to discuss it with her parents.

Big Hook arrived with a fish. Still no more mating behaviour observed.

Margaret, these are so wonderful. Such clear, beautiful photos. Love the Rainbow Lorikeets, pesky or not. That Turtle Dove sequence is great. That is a huge nest!!

Wow to the Big Hook shot! Keep 'em coming.

BTW, last winter here was brutal, but no nearly as brutal as this summer's heat and drought has been--so looking forward to winter, I guess. LOL

Thanks, Granny Grunt. I'm glad you enjoyed the Turtledoves. Today is mid-winter and the maximum reached 21.1C (68F). That was hard to take. We'll be shivering with an overnight minimum of 12C (53F). I really do feel for you in the extreme heat, though and if it's coupled with high humidity, it makes it doubly unbearable.

The birds are wonderful treat to observe, but with that ideal condition to watch 'em? Yahhhh, Margaret pretty soon we'll begging for your hospitality in your homeland. First of to be able to watch your native birds, make your acquantance, then 3rd to enjoy your weather. And not neccessary in that order. I chuckled when the Turtledove

lol Margaret, love your story of the Turtledoves and I hope the future in-laws approve the marriage.

The photo of Big Hook is one of the sharpest photos that should be on the wall in a frame. It's just perfect!!

Agree very nice shot of Big Hook with the fish! lol on the Dove's...probably told her he had a power boat down the other end of the bay too.

The Turtledoves and the Parekeets are going to be the Ospreys' sidekicks this season! LOL about your remark Burd. They're way tooooo cute!

Lovely pix and narration, Margo!

who the heck is margo?

;)

LOL I have all kinds of names for her!

Ralph. Steve. Freddie.

Yeah, lots of people do. Margo's one of the better ones.

LOL on the power boat, Burd.

Duc, thanks for the comment about Big Hook. I actually had to do a bit of work in Elements to get it like that. There was just the weakest little bit of sun on the branch, her head and the fish at the time. I'm sure these birds know that lighting is critical to good photographs and they time their arrival to coincide with the worst it's been in hours. I'd been perched on a cold, wet embankment for two hours whilst the whole nest area was bathed in the most glorious light. Sure enough, as soon as the shadow took over, she arrived with the fish. Here's the original image.

Kim, you'd be most welcome.

Excellent photos, Margaret. Glad to see that your activity is picking up. In another month, our Osprey will be starting to head south. Most of the local Osprey have already fledged. One nest that I frequent had three young. I just went back, about five weeks later, and they were off the nest. So, I probably missed some good photo opportunities. But, they were still staying close-by.

Margaret, that elements program is fine, but I'd be happy with the original too!

Hey Margaret you'll got some nice shots. Is this the same nest from previous years? Do you think these are the parents returning or their off springs from last year?

I went to visit the Ospreys last weekend and the ones at Merkle seem to have started late. I've seen where others have posted that the young'ns have fledged but these appear to have a little bit more time. I love shooting them in flight; they give plenty opportunities to do so.

Take care.

Thanks, Linth. There seems to be a bit of a hiatus in their actual mating, but reclaiming the nest, bringing in sticks and generally just being together a lot is right on target. I'd be beside myself with worry if our ospreys migrated because of all the hazards they face in migration.

Duc, you are far too kind.

Hi Al. Yes, it's the same nest as in previous years. Definitely the same two birds. I'd be able to pick the male out in a line-up of a thousand ospreys ("Yes, that's him, officer"). Big Hook, the female maybe doesn't have the distinctive features that make the male so recognisable, apart from her big hook, but her behaviour and mannerisms are identical to those of the adult female from last year: (she's the one who replaced old Ma Osprey).

There's a bit of a problem with trees in the area growing very fast. There is even less chance of flight shots than there ever were, because of this, so I look forward to seeing everyone else's.

You may have to build a little tree house ;o))

Well, finally things are beginning to happen. They've been seen mating over the last few days, but I always missed the action. Not today, though. When I first arrived there today, Dad was on the nest and I could hear the very distinct sounds of a juvenile bird overhead. One of them was Big Hook, as she came in to land on the nest.

Big Hook.

Big Hook getting closer.

Closer still. It is so lovely with the afternoon sun lighting the feathers across the wings and back.

Big Hook about to land. Dad's on the nest.

Judging by the lack of reaction to this young bird flying about above them and the sounds it was making, I'm wanting to think it's Harmony.

Seconds after she landed, Big Hook and Dad started mating.

It's a pity they weren't facing me. But at least it's happening.

And he's off.

Dad made a few trips back to the nest with sticks, but that was the end of any action that I saw.

Keep tuned in for more.

Wonderful Pic's !

aww. what a cute pair. TWINS!! we want TWINS. Fingers crossed.

How exciting to watch this moment! You've really done a beautiful job of showing us this couple's start of a new family. Thank you Margaret. Your photos are just amazing!

Nice shots Margaret! Won't be long now...are you going to use the tripod this season?

Magaretk, the one on the left looks different than the one's I'm used to seeing. Is there something special about that one? I went to my spot last week and 2 juveniles have fledge, but the last one is still in the nest. They flew off and came back for short stints. Well the Osprey season is over for me I guess but I got some great shots on the nest and in flight. I never saw pops the days I visited though.

Nice photos, Margaret. I'm sure that you are excited as your new season is just beginning. As Met mentioned, our Osprey season is winding down quickly. Although I only visited the local Osprey nesting sites on occasion, I was able to get lots of photos each time.

Best wishes for a great Osprey season ......

Thanks, Bea Hive.

Multiple hatchings would be good, Mrs Ed. Pete has seen two and three chicks when Old Ma was still alive, so let's hope for that this season.

Duc, it is amazing being able to watch on as a new season begins. It's not too often that I get the chance to take flight shots at this site because the trees are growing so rapidly. Yesterday, the wind and the lighting were just right.

Burd, I actually ordered a tripod through yesterday. It will take a few weeks to get here, though. Next on the list is the head.

Al, I am as certain as I could possibly be that it is Dad. His looks are very distinctive and his pattern of behaviours is exactly the same as during the previous two years. His eyes are quite a different colour to other ospreys I've seen; almost a greyish colour, not the pale yellow such as Big Hooks. I'm so glad our birds don't migrate. I'd be a basket case.

Thanks for your best wishes, Linth. It is exciting. This family of ospreys has become so much a part of my life now, that I couldn't imagine not seeing them for five or six months of the year. Even when our season is over, they can still be heard and seen at the top of the bay.

Glad to see some action at the nest. Let the fun begin. Looking forward to your interesting story, as everything unfolds. Watch out for those embankment, and be careful out there.

Wonderful pictures Margaret.

Mags, I am really looking forward to this new adventure!!

Wonderful shots Margaret! So exciting to see a new nesting season begin. They are such a handsome couple.