Osprey season 2011. So far, three chicks doing well.

Morning all. Thanks for your comments. Of course you can share my photos, Wild Rose. No, I don't have a Flickr account, Mrs Ed.

Things remain really wonderful at the nest. I haven't started to prepare any for posting yet, but will try to do so sometime today. I crop every photo quite heavily to provide detail.

OK, here are some photos from yesterday afternoon. This is what greeted me.

The chicks are moving all over the nest. The one on the left had had its fill and went over to the edge of the nest. Big Hook immediately stopped feeding the other two, and went over to it to encourage it away from danger. Of course, the parents can't pick the chicks up in either their beaks or their talons, so the only thing they can do is put their bodies between the chick and potential peril in an attempt to protect them.

Here, she's placed herself between the chick, which is not visible in this shot because her body is obscuring it. The other two came over, curious as to what was going on.

It eventually moved away from the edge and the other two followed suit. Dad had been in to collect the remains of the fish when Big Hook went over to the edge of the nest, but returned with it a short time later.

Dad did something I've not seen before. After standing and staring at the chicks for a little while, he slowly bent down towards the closest chick and the chick put its head up to meet him, beak to beak. I've had a close look at all the shots I took and there didn't appear to be any transfer of food and the chicks beak was not open at any stage. They held this contact for probably 6 or 7 seconds, which is quite a long time.

The first one moved aside and the other larger chick moved forward and Dad repeated the procedure with it. In this shot, Dad has his beak partially open but I'm sure there was no food being transferred. Again this contact was held for several seconds.

Big Hook then resumed feeding the chicks. Dad soon left to go and keep vigil from the pole branch.

Here's the little one being fed. No aggression or rivalry has been seen by anyone observing this brood, so fingers crossed for continued harmony and safety.

Being a fine Saturday afternoon, there was quite a bit of activity on the river. A jet ski was roaring back and forth (the area is actually restricted to jet skis unless they're towing water skiers, which this one wasn't. This chick was curious about the noise and went over to have a look at what was causing such a racket.

And last one for today. Dad had something stuck in his throat and was doing a lot of neck stretching and head shaking in an attempt to dislodge whatever it was. This is a really good look.

I hope I'll be able to get back there for a brief time this afternoon, but there are thunderstorms around.

So sweet and so touching, to see Dad showing affection to the chicks, and see Big Hook protect the chick from danger.
Fabulous shots, showing the happening at the nest. You surely know, how to keep our interest up, Margaret. Great job relating everything.

How fascinating the story unfolds, Margaret. The parental protective instinct was apparent with Big Hook as I can 'observe'. With dad's behavior? Bonding time? The last pix of Dad shows his struggle. Probably he tried to eat a portion of the fish that was not fit to feed his youngsters such as a tail or a bony clump. Take care from the bad weather. Good day (night here for me). Thank you for bringing us (DGers) these wonderful images.

Hi Bernadette, we've crossed posted. ^_^

Amazing. All of it. Wonder if that's how I look when I'm clearing my throat.

ROFL with you Marna. Nah, it's more "LIKES" moi. lol

Almost every time I go to the nest, I notice something different. The more I observe, the more I realise how much more there is to learn. Ospreys don't seem to be affectionate birds, but this sure seemed to be a real desire for close contact with the chicks. I'm as sure as I can possibly be that he was not feeding them.

Maybe he was cleaning them up. "Wait, you have a little smudge…"

Wonderful pictures Margaret. Gosh, how great to see Big Hook protecting her chick from the edge of the nest! I love dad's show of affection for the chicks. It is so heartwarming.

Mrs. Ed, you probably would not look like Dad does when unsticking his throat because I doubt you would be sitting high up on a tree branch! LOL On second thought-------

Lovely shots Margaret! It's such a privilege to see these heart warming family scenes!

Thanks, Pelle and GG. Their interactions are fascinating. I was late to the nest this afternoon and didn't take an shots. However, all three chicks are still there and doing well.

Madam X confirms that Whopper is still hanging out in the tree below her place and is certain that Whopper is a bigger bird than her mother, Big Hook. I've gone down there to see if I could get some shots of Whopper, but she's never been there,

You are getting such great shots of the chicks and of the whole family together!

Thanks, nanny. They are good subjects.

I regretted not having my 400mm lens yesterday. It was really windy and Dad was doing some marvellous aerobatics over the nest. I simply don't have the technique to be able to catch the action with the 500mm on the tripod. If it's windy this afternoon, I'll take the 400mm on the off-chance he may repeat some of his manoeuvres.

Show off!

Ha ha ha. Me or him? Or both?

Mr. Osprey. Will like the pictures as we already like the ones you post.

I thought I'd give an update. I've been to the nest each day, but it's been not only cloudy, but the nest is in shadow at critical times. However, all three chicks are thriving and still no sign of any squabbling. Big Hook is doing a fantastic job. Madam X reports that when she has seen Big Hook feeding them, they're all in a row and it's two pieces for the first one, two pieces for the second one and two pieces for the third, and so on. When I get there late afternoon, they have often had a feed and spend a lot of time sleeping. They are all moving around the nest with great confidence.

From yesterday, a dark photo, but it shows all three chicks. Dad had just delivered a fish.

Another from yesterday of Big Hook tearing pieces of fish to feed to the chicks. The third is really hard to see, but is just to the left of Big Hook, as viewed.

This is such a typical shot of Big Hook, calling to her mate on the pole branch to go and get dinner.

Still calling. One of the chicks, which was sleeping with one of its siblings (on the right in the previous picture) has moved over to the edge of the nest behind Big Hook. The third chick is sheltering under its mother.

After flying off and bringing back a stick to build up the edge of the nest, Dad then left on a fishing expedition. He flew way across the other side of the river. I followed him as far as I could and guess that he was at least 4km away when I lost sight of him. He eventually returned, fish in claws, but didn't bring it to the nest whilst I was there.

Two of the chicks and Big Hook. The third is there, but tucked away between them. I couldn't get a shot when all three were popped up whilst there was a tiny bit of light on the nest.

Big Hook staring at something flying around that I couldn't see. It's not often that I manage to get a shot when both eyes are illuminated. All three chicks are sleeping next to her.

More updates as they come to hand.

Gosh, these chicks have grown. Love all of the pictures Margaret. Thanks for the update.

Gosh, your pictures are great even when you do not have great lighting.

Ooops, there I go again. Please forgive me, GG. I just mistook you with IrishMA. Likes I've mistaken Pete for Margaret. Doh!

Just don't call me late to dinner Lily Love. LOL

So good to see all three chicks thriving.....amd no fighting...that's wonderful.

spectacular photos every time margaret!