Osprey season 2010 - A new beginning.

I know. It was quite amazing. I've been trying to describe the sounds they make and closest I can get to her alarm call is kek-cheee, kek-cheee.

Margaret: Big Hook knows that you and Pete are part of the family! I love these recent photo's, especially the two of Dad & Big Hook with that size comparison ... and I'm glad you cropped the one of the chick to give us a closer view. He/she isn't sure is growing.

By the way ...

♬ ♪ ♫ Happy Birthday to you Margaret! ♫ ♪ ♬ I hope you have a lovely day!

Thanks, Lin. The day is ending here, but I've had a fantastic birthday.

^_^ I forgot it would be evening for you ... I'm glad you had a great birthday!

Margaret, I'm sorry I missed your birthday! Happy belated!

Loved that photo with the difference in size-that's amazing. Also, I hope you were proud when the strangers arrived and they received "the look". It's nice to know this family accepts you as part of them. Great photos!!

Thanks for the birthday wishes, duc. It really was memorable.

I was kinda pleased when the strangers received that reaction, because it serves to confirm what Pete and I have said for ages.

My how the chick has grown! Loved that last shot of him!

Happy belated Birthday Margaret!

Glad you have had a nice birthday Margaret. Love the pics, but I still cannot bring myself to think of this chick as "sweet".

This message was edited Nov 13, 2010 7:13 AM

Yikes! I am such a terrible friend...so sorry that I missed your b-day, Mags! I hope you had a wonderful and joyous day! Did you eat cake? Save me some ;o)

A lovely family! The chick is seems so content and peaceful.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Wild Rose, GP and Kim. I actually didn't have cake, Kim. I didn't even think about it. Too full of garlic prawns. LOL

I am not picky...save me some prawns! ;o)

Hi folks. I was down at the nest yesterday not having been there for a while. Margaret, didn't see you so hopefully can fill you in on Saturday's going ons. It was glorious spring day, nice and clear, very sunny, cool and a stiff breeze. First thing I noticed was the nest seems to have been built up considerably. When young one was in the nest she seemed a lot lower. Also, I note from front on a huge twig sticking up which makes photos hit and miss.
This first photo was some vigorous wing exercise. Mum actually had to leave nest to make room! This bird will fly before Christmas easily!

As a result of this activity mum had to leave the nest - little one keeps flapping in the background copying mum no doubt.

Mum circled around a while before returning to the nest from the branch that sticks out behind when little one had settled down.

After a while dad returned with a fish when the shadows had fallen. Still like this one with all three in the photo for a family shot.

And finally having finished the fish between them mum flies off for a cleanup of herself on the pole tree

Thank you, nice sequence.

Fantastic shots, Pete. I haven't been to the nest for the past two days. I'll get down there this afternoon.

Wonderful shots Pete! Can't get over how fast the chick is growing.

Thanks every one. Here are two more - another of the young un flapping anxiously

And finally one of mum walking along the branch - looks like a tight rope walker.

Oh My! Look how big the chick is!!! Great pix, Pete! I love the one of Mom being a "tight rope walker!"

Fabulous shots and thank you, Pete for the family's update. I too am amazed at how fast the chick is growing. Margaret hope you will have an enjoyable time visiting those awesome birds. Wished I could join in.

Whoa, Pete. Nice catch on the wing exercises. Like everyone else, I'm amazed that little one is not so little any more. I wonder if it hurts to grow that fast!!

Amazing shots Pete!

The time has come for a new thread. The as yet unnamed chick is just over six weeks old and is developing well. Earlier events are now behind us and we look forward to the time when it fledges.

I'll close with a shot of Big Hook yesterday afternoon. Many times I've seen a piece of fish gets stuck in the throat and the birds stretch their necks and open and close their beaks in an exaggerated manner, obviously trying to dislodge the offending item.

Here's the link to the new thread. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1141107/


This message was edited Nov 16, 2010 7:51 PM