More Ospreys

There have been ospreys nesting in a Norfolk Island Pine near the ocean at Cottesloe, a suburb of Perth, for many years. I hadn't seen them for some time and had thoughts that they may have abandoned the nest. I was really heartened to see an osprey perched atop the pine yesterday and thought it would be worthwhile having a look this morning to see if it had been just a random sighting. There was an osprey sitting halfway up the tree eating a fish. Several locals spoke to me with great enthusiasm about their local osprey family. One lady said she'd had to fight to have the pine retained because the owner objected to the mess the pine made in strong winds.

The osprey:

The osprey was quite contented sitting having a leisurely meal and I thought there wouldn't be any action for a while, so I headed north a few hundred metres to see if I could get some photos of the White-cheeked Honeyeaters that thrive in the coastal scrub. Whilst I was taking shots of them, I heard the distinct sound of ospreys and managed a few very quick shots.

The osprey that had been eating the fish in the Norfolk Island Pine was in hot pursuit of a much smaller osprey. I can only assume that the smaller bird had encroached on the other's territory.

The shots aren't clear, but you'll get the idea.

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I've just had a look at the shots I've posted and it isn't clear that the osprey doing the chasing has the remains of a fish in its talons.

It chased the one in front over the golf course and I could see them both vanishing in the direction of the river, only a minute's flight away.

From way off in the distance, I could see the smaller bird continue on towards the river and the other, larger bird, still holding its fish, headed in the general direction of the Norfolk Island Pine.

Well I guess this guy/girl didn't feel like having company when he was enjoying his feast. Fabulous photos Margaret. Sure was smart to bring the meal with him so other birds wouldn't take off with it.

Hiya Duc, good thing I didn't see/read your comment prior making my own. LOL, how different view point each of us can intepretate about these beautiful bird's behaviors. :-)

Margaret...those shots look great to me and how lucky you are to have another place to photograph the Osprey! How far is this from your home?

Love the action shots Margaret!

Thanks, Duc. I wasn't all that happy with the photos, but hey, I guess it shows the action.

Lily_love, I see what you mean about the chaser appearing to be smaller than the chasee. It looked different at the time. Looking at the larger images on the computer, the bird being chased seemed to have a disproportionately large head. Maybe I have a disproportionately large imagination. LOL.

Hi Rose. There are three families in close proximity, probably even four. The ones at the ocean, plus two or possibly three families in a small area around the river. I'm about 4km from the ones at Cottesloe. It's quite handy, really. The morning is the best time to watch the ones at the ocean, although their nest is ridiculously high in a Norfolk Island Pine, and the afternoon is best for the ones on the the river that I always watch.

Thanks, Pelle. They're sensational birds.

I went back this morning to see if there was any action beach side. Two ospreys flew into the very top of a Norfolk Pine right next to me. I waited for close on two hours for them to move, but they stayed put, chatting to each other every so often. This was the second one arriving.

The second one is just landing in the pine. I went back again this afternoon, but no sound or sight of them. I distracted myself watching Gannets fishing a few hundred metres out.

It's sure disappointing when you have waited so long and the birds don't move. Our eagles are good at that too.

Hope you'll have better luck next time.

Nice shots of the chase Margaret!!

Thanks duc. It really doesn't bother me, just waiting for action. I actually find it quite meditative.

Thanks, Burd. The ocean gives more scope for shots like that. Fewer trees in the way.

How lucky to be able to observe all these fabulous birds!

Great shots of the chase,Margaret, all these Osprey action, will keep you busy all day. Nice hobby to have.

It's pretty wonderful, nanny.

Burn, you're right about keeping me busy all day. The ocean in the morning and the river in the afternoon. I'm even dreaming ospreys!

It's like a Pub Crawl, but with Osprey nests!

Ha ha ha ha. Funny gal.

Hello Margaret,

What a wonderful series of pics of quite a majestic bird! I love the one from your post with the time of 2:11...such a wing spread...Wowie! Thanks so much for sharing :D

Thanks, Susan, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

boy..ocean & river both just sounds like heaven!