Whopper - heading towards independence at a leisurely pace.

Awesome photos Margaret. I noticed Whopper had the fish faced in the right direction as she took her catch away from mom's view.

That new lens is just perfect for you and I'm enjoying every single photo!

So great to see Whopper doing some fishing for herself. She's well on the way to independence. Thanks for the continuing posting on her life.

Thanks, Hack. I don't know why PSE 8 would have come up. Yes I do have it but didn't go into PSE for any of these. Just simple processing through iphoto.

Which of you screamed the loudest, nanny?

Duc, Madam X said that Whopper had the devils job getting the fish to face the right way, but persistence paid off and she eventually managed to align it correctly. It's a never ending source of amusement to see one of the adults bring a fish to a maturing chick and then see the chick act as if the provider is going to snatch it away from it. The new lens is wonderful, but I really have to plan where I'll be taking photos from. At such close range there's little spontaneity with a 500mm lens like there is with the 400mm. BTW I see Canon has released a 400mm lens that is a kilogram lighter than the one I have. Already it's an extremely manageable lens, even though it doesn't have image stabilization. The new release really would be like a 400mm point and shoot. Tempting.

Burn, even though you know it's going to happen, it's a real milestone to see the young bird with its own catch. I'm so glad you continue to enjoy their progress.

Lily_love, I've been hiding away in the air-conditioned comfort of home. Yesterday was the first time I ventured out in more than a week as it wasn't quite as unbearable. As you look forward to spring, I eagerly anticipate the cooler days of autumn and eventually, winter.

I went to the nest for two and a half hours this afternoon, but apart from hearing Big Hook call once, there was absolutely no activity. Madam X says Big Hook and Whopper were in different branches in the trees outside her place virtually all day. At one stage during the morning, Big Hook did bring Whopper a fish, but she is so well fed, it seems that she may have eventually dropped it.

Another thing that Madam X and I have noticed separately, is that its hard at first glance to tell the difference between Big Hook and Whopper. In the previous two years, with Aussie and Harmony, we've referred to them as she or he, more for convenience than anything else. Whopper is such a large bird, it is the first time I have felt with any confidence, that "she" is a female.

It must be close on six weeks since I last saw Dad Osprey although Madam X saw him about 4-5 days ago. He's leading a charmed life, it seems

Poor Margaret, so much time and no sightings. Thank you for all your personal time it takes to get us the photos we love. And thank you to Madame X for all her updates. It certainly is appreciated.

Wow! Just incredible shots Margaret! You have certainly done Whopper justice! I have really enjoyed this series!

Lovely series & hard work. thank you.

Thanks, duc. It really isn't a hardship, though. I really consider myself extremely fortunate. Even if there's no activity, it's such a beautiful outlook that I just drift into a pleasant, meditative state. Madam X follows the thread, so she will see your appreciative comments.

Thanks, Wild Rose. Whopper is a great subject.

Iris, thank you. The hardest work is trying to maintain a footing and to avoid being nipped by savage little ants who take offence at some human stomping around their home.

I'll probably leave it until tomorrow to go back to the nest.

"Which of you screamed the loudest, nanny?"

I let her scream loudest this time.....I am more dangerous when I am quiet! lol


dang typos!!

This message was edited Feb 4, 2011 2:08 PM

Nanny, Silent But Deadly!! LOL

Great photos, Mags!

Hello Margaret,

I'm trying to find more time to be on the forums again. I just finally went through your threads...what a wonderful story of Whopper and her family...and fab pics too...Wow! The story is so heartwarming and such beautiful birds. I'm in awe...
Thank you so much for sharing!!! I'll keep reading your updates :)

This message was edited Feb 4, 2011 12:40 PM

Hey, I forgot to tell you all that I saw an Osprey kite the other day. I almost bought it to send to Australia. Maybe Madam X would like to fly it from her patio. hahaha.

Thanks, Kim and Susan Louise. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

Yeh, right, Mrs Ed. I can just see Madam X running up and down with an osprey kite. If it didn't scare them away, she'd probably end up with one of those feisty girls attacking her for having an intruder as a pet.

It was cooler and very windy today, so I went to the nest. Whopper arrived after a while and the only way I could tell it was her and not Big Hook was that she was squealing like a juvenile. She left after about 10 minutes and both she and Big Hook could be seen periodically soaring by. One flew by to the south of where I was and about 5 minutes later soared past with a fish in her talons. Again I had no way of knowing which of the two birds it was.

I thought it was more than likely Big Hook. This was confirmed a short time later when Whopper arrived on the nest seconds before Big Hook, who was had the fish. The lighting was challenging, with parts of the nest in shadow and parts in sun.

Again a typical pose from the juvenile Whopper, thinking Mum was going to nick the fish that she'd just brought. Big Hook left after only a few seconds.

I don't know what this will look like downsized, but on my computer, Whopper looks fantastic. It's a big crop from the first shot as Big Hook is bringing the fish.

You cropped pic of Whopper look super on mine, very sharp.

Great photos of mother and child, Margaret.

Wow! Simply breathtaking!

Amazing photos thanks for posting.

AWESOME!!!!!

Great shots Margaret!! The crop of Whopper looks great!

Wow! I agree! That last image is awesome!

Awesome, magnificent, superb-they all fit that last crop of Whopper. It's sharp on my computer too Margaret-well done. All the photos are fantastic, but that last one makes me feel like I'm standing right on the edge of the nest.

Great patience Margaret getting all those pictures.

Excellent job Margaret!

Hi Ginger long time no talk. I guess you can't log in Midsouth. Good to see you.
Cindy

Hi Cindy,
My subscription ran out.
I had a great time on the Midsouth Forums.
I think the Toilet Thread about [toilet paper] became the longest Thread on DG for a long long time.
Did your River Pontoon/Jetty sort itself out ?

Thank you for your comments, everyone.

Braving the heat, I spent an hour at the nest yesterday afternoon. Whopper was on the right hand branch, periodically and half-heartedly squawking at Big Hook, who was in a tree out of my sight, down by the river. I know Big Hook was there because a couple of people passed by below me on the low path. Whopper alerted me to their presence with some head rocking and then a couple of minutes later I could hear Big Hook's "kek kek kek", which translates to "Warning! Warning! Aliens approaching".

A flock of possibly fifty Black Cockatoos flew by the nest, looked down into it and circled back (see dreadful bird pics) before continuing on their graceful way.

Then a Brown Goshawk flew in and swooped Whopper a couple of times. I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of the hawk, but this photo shows Whopper looking genuinely astonished as the hawk departed the scene.

Madam X reports that Big Hook is still occasionally bringing Whopper fish, but we have to assume that the little darling is also catching her own food by now. She also saw Dad bring Whopper a fish a week ago and it was so windy that he made three attempts to land. Apparently she was squealing in frustration and when Dad eventually landed, she was so frantic she nearly pushed him and the fish over. I haven't seen Dad for probably two months.

I'll continue to go down the nest every few days and will give updates if I see anything.

Aww, she is beautiful!

Ditto what Pell said.
A great thread you started Margaret.

Glad to hear their current adventures.

Thanks, Pelle. She's stunning, isn't she.

Thank you, Ginger. Do you see ospreys around where you are?

Hi, Iris. Let's hope the rest of the season is adventure free. There was enough drama at the start. I wonder what next season will bring.

The photo I posted looked too small to show her expression when the hawk swooped her, so here it is again, cropped.

Thank you Margaret for bringhing the latest news on the Ospreys family. On the last photo of Whooper, I can't help but think "what a hair-raising moment!" in this case "feather-raising" for Whooper. lol.

It was so funny, Kim. She really did look astonished.

She is gorgeous from head to toes. Thanks to MadamX for allowing you access to this nice viewing of the nest.

She is so stunning...I hate to think come we may not see her for much longer.

What a beauty!

Burn, Madam X and others in the area are indeed incredibly generous spirited to allow me the access that I have.

She is gorgeous, isn't she, Nanny and ducky? Come late June and hopefully the cycle will start again.

I haven't been down there since the last time I posted pics because it's been too hot. It looks like we may have a sea breeze tomorrow. If there is, I'll go down there late. We've been in a heatwave for the last week and it's set to continue, with uncomfortable overnight minimums as well. It becomes really enervating when it doesn't cool down at night.