OSPREYS! The new season is underway.

Margaret,
some beauties and sorry we didn't catchup at the WE. I was down both Sat and Sun and whilst the weather wasn't great the birds were fairly active. I was surprised at the rennovations, as you say the birds disappear so we may struggle to se the young when hatched!
There seems to be a pattern of dad fishing and ma waiting at the nest until he brings home the fish - she's fairly 'bossy' as well! I got some nice shots I'll post. One thing that was exciting is that dad was on his lower branch and then plunged straight down to recover a fish below the nest!! Obviously couldn't see the entry but he came up with a bream I think.
Preparations seem about a month ahead of schedule presently.............................but only when she's laid the eggs will we be able to determine whether this year they'll be early.
Pete

Hi Pete. I look forward to seeing your shots. The others here will be relieved to see you as well. It was beginning to look as if I really had pushed you over the cliff and nabbed your 500mm lens. The nest cup is being built much deeper, isn't it? The way you've described Big Hook is exactly what Madame X has said - bossy. It's bucketing down right now, so that leaves this afternoon out.

LOL, Margaret, Pete; It was a private joke between Margaret, Marna and I, I think. lol Welcome back, I too looking forward to seeing your photos of the awesome Osprey family.

Beautiful photos once again Margaret. I'm so hopeful that the deeper nest will help this family this year.

a couple of images from last WE when weather was very challenging with the light. the first depicts why Ma probably has every reason to demand some attention - not sure how I'd react with those talons on my back!

Here is Big Hook making off with the fresh fish (very fresh caught beneath nest about 30 secs before!). Looks like dad got a bit before she took off. You can see he is just out of the water.

Pete, nice to hear from you, glad Margaret didn't push you off, with her talons on your lens. ;)
Great sharp images, on the action at the nest. Poor Dad,...he sure takes a beating sometimes ehh?

This message was edited Jul 29, 2011 1:53 PM

Wonderful shots Pete!

Hehehehe, great pictures of the 'couple' interaction with each other, Pete.

Beautiful photos Pete!! Glad you're back too!

Wonderful shots, Pete. You're right about the weather being challenging (understatement of the year), but at least you went.

Nice shots Margaret!! The Gorgeous Big Hook shot is stunning! Nice shots Pete!

Lovely pix, Pete!

Just a brief update. Nobody has seen or heard Whopper for a couple of weeks, so it looks as if she might finally have left home. Our weather hasn't been great for bird watching, but I went to the nest the day before yesterday. Dad and Big Hook were resting contentedly on the nest. We're expecting more rain this afternoon, but I'll pop down the inclement weather is delayed.

Lovely to see that the 2011 season has started. Dad and Bighook are looking very smart. great photos.

Thanks, Boots.

I'm just about to head off to the nest. I'll update when I get back. I had an email from Madame X and she saw Whopper this morning. Whopper is now over 10 months old.

Had the lighting been good this afternoon, I'd have more to show. However, it was lousy, so just a couple. Here's a shot of Dad and Big Hook. They not only chose a time when the nest was in full shadow, but also waited until the sun went behind clouds to mate. The nest is not unattended now and there are several identifiable offerings in the remake of the nest. What I did notice is that Big Hook's posture is different. She's standing more upright and with her body tilted slightly forwards - maybe she's "heavy with eggs". This is a shot of Dad as he was flying away from the nest.

This should have been first. It may be a week before I manage to get down there next. It's not been a terribly good season for watching their courtship, mating and nest reconstruction, but that's OK, I'm sure there'll be interesting times ahead.

OH! How adorable is that picture with them snoozing.

So Whopper is off to college? lol Wonderful pics. Margaret. Dad and Big Hook are so in love! Hoping for a good year for the family this 'winter'. :)

I do hope Whopper is enjoying her life and finding her perfect spot for the future.

Great shot of mom and dad together. Margaret, sorry the weather hasn't been better for you. Thanks for the great photos-love them.

Maybe they bought her a car to take to college, so she is not flying much ;o)) I hope they bought her a cell phone...don't want her parents to worry about her whereabouts!

I thought I'd better give an update. There has been very little activity. Believe it or not, Whopper is still around, although heard rather than seen. I might try to seek her out on the weekend.

I spent some time at the nest yesterday afternoon. No eggs have been laid yet, but Dad is spending his time "nesting". He really is in his element. Big Hook was on the right hand branch the entire time I was there, dozing and preening. Just a few shots because the lighting was so beautiful. With the sun shifting more to the west, the nest isn't in shadow for any length of time.

Dad on the nest.

Big Hook contentedly preening

...

Preening her throat feathers.

Margaret ,Love the photos,ahh sun changing angles,here too ,in to Fall....

Great shots Margaret. Just love that preening. She sure is getting all gussied up. LOL

Wow, that IS some good light. Fabulous pix; thanks for taking us on a trip again!

I could watch birds (especially ducks) preen for hours. I am not certain why...maybe because I can't ;o) Lovely pix, Mags!

Doesn't matter if you can't see an egg yet Margaret-your photos are so crisp, sharp and exciting to see. Gorgeous preening shots!

We girls need to look good.

Thanks for the update, Margaret. I needed my Osprey fix. :) Stunning shots!!!

Thanks, everyone. I actually saw Whopper yesterday afternoon. No photos, and of course I can't be absolutely certain it was her, but Dad and Big Hook's casual response to a juvenile flying, squawking, below the nest seems to point to it being her. We're expecting rain, but if the weather permits, I'll head along the low path tomorrow and see if I can locate whopper. it would be a thrill to see her, nearly 11 months later.

wonderful photos MargaretK, big hook looks ecstatic about the preening Hope you come across Whopper, would be great to see her now.

If there was just some way to be able to ID the ones we have watched grow up........*sigh*

We should knit little sweaters with their initial on it ;o))

Hey, boots. Are you snowed in? I saw the footage on the news the other night. New Zealand sure has had a ghastly year.

It would be, nanny. It's a shame there's no Osprey banding programme at present.

LOL,Kim


This message was edited Aug 21, 2011 9:36 AM

I can see Whooper now with her big W on it!! lol

The snow only settled on the hills , A nice bit of excitement for Blenheim.we are still having frosts , but we got of lightly