Osprey season 2011. The nest is a busy place.

Eventually it lay down to watch the fish guts from a more comfortable position.

It swung around in the breeze as it exercised.

It was still an object of great intrigue as the shadow was coming over the nest.

Da da da daaaaaa.

That's great news, Margaret. Everything has gone so well this season.

Wonderful! Baby has taken her first steps so to speak. I have to laugh at the fish guts hanging off the beak!

It must be the little one that fledged - it takes some guts to do that!

(sorry, couldn't resist!!)

LOL with that pun line Resin. Margaret, by "fledging" do you mean the baby took off from the nest, but has voluntarily/successfully returned to the nest as seen above? Or the photos above were taken out of sequence as the story unfold?

I really like the family all staring at the "attachment".

The wings up, wet look shot is wonderful.

Excellent photography, Margaret. I am glad that you were finally dealt a good hand, with a Full House. That will provide you with a lot of photo opportunities once they fledge. I find that to be the best time (for me) since I can get a lot of flight shots. When I was at Blackwater, two weeks ago, I thought of you. In the visitor center I saw a book entitled "Oscar and Olive - Osprey - A Family Takes Flight". I had to check the author to see if it was you. It appeared to be quite a bit of narrative. Something you are very capable of doing.

I know that you really don't need your 500mm lens at the Osprey nest but are you still using it ?

Yes, GP, fingers crossed that it continues without dramas. The absence of any rivalry, apart from a couple of minor skirmishes about 5 weeks ago, they are so patient and tolerant.

BeaHive, I can laugh at it in retrospect. I felt sick that it might have swallowed a hook and line. I was agonising over what I could do about it and decided that there wasn't much that could be done, although Madam X would no doubt volunteer to climb the tree and nab it.

Kim, I'm not sure if the photos are out of sequence. I don't think so, although the one of Big Hook conducting is from two days ago. One school of thought is that fledging has occurred when a chick clears the nest under its own power, even if it comes straight back down to the nest without going anywhere. Another school of thought is that the young bird has fledged when it has actually flown from the nest, even if it returns. Some birds that have left the nest are still not capable of sustained or controlled flight; they may be out on a branch remote from the nest. Resin may offer an opinion.

Thanks, GG. It proved to be a fascinating attraction to the others.

Thanks, Linth. It has been a truly amazing season so far. The harmony at the nest is just wonderful. I hope to get some flight shots. Should be no shortage of opportunities. I use the 500mm frequently, but it and the tripod are really heavy to carry any distance. I'll use the 400mm for the flight shots. I may retrieve my 300mm lens, which is currently residing in Sydney. It would give even more chance to get things lined up. There are so many trees that there's a narrow window of opportunity to nab one. Anticipation works some of the time. I think I've seen that book you speak about advertised. Sounds interesting.

I know how you feel about fearing that he/she swallowed a hook. I once was taking pic of my frogs. This frog had some kind of obstruction in his mouth. I thought it was a stick suck in the mouth. Well, I posted the pic on DG and some nice person assured me that it was the frog shedding. I learned that they eat the shed and that was that what I was looking out!! (gross) But I was so happy he wasn't going to "Croak" and I did not have to get in the pond to try to catch him. Nature is so entertaining! Miss my frogs!

With your pond set-up, they'll be there before you know it. I can remember the shedding post you are talking about. How's the pond going?

It's all been very amazing this year , love your sibling and mum photos, and the Da da da daaaaaa. is superb

That is great news Margaret! Your photos are excellent as always!

Margaret the Dadadaaa is a perfect photo...I love it..so glad all is well

Margaret your photographs are so amazing and this thread is so informative!
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us.

The pond is completed and looks great except for all the fall leaves collecting in the netting & all over my yard.

ONly so much room. Here's hoping that there are no accidents as things have gone so well.

The photos on this thread are amazing Margaret!! I got lost so am just getting here...lol!

Hard to believe one had fledged already....where has time gone. Watching them be successful with multiple chicks has really been a wonderful experience. Just never know what journey it will be each year!

This message was edited Nov 22, 2011 7:35 PM

I am so glad all was well with that fish gut and not a hook. These birds have enough challenges to go through in their lives.

More gorgeous photos Margaret. Hope you can get the 7D fixed up soon.

still chuckling over the fish gut watching...

when first reading I was almost afraid to finish for fear that it wasn't going to be good.

Glad to hear it was cleared from the throat and all is well.

Jan

What great news, It's quite amazing, they all made it through thus far. This year has certainly been a great year, for the Osprey family. Your Da da da daaaa is really a fun, and fantastic shot. And love the curiosity of the chicks.

Madam X is doing a super job, in reporting to you, the updates at the nest. Thanks goes to her also, on my part.

Don't give up on your book, Margaret. Remember, there is more than one fish in the sea. I see Linth is already looking for it, and I'm sure he's not alone. ;)

Thanks, everyone for your comments.

The family continues to thrive. On Tuesday, Madam X came home to discover the smaller chick on the right hand branch. On Wednesday, it was seen flying around. The other two haven't been observed off the nest yet. Reading Alan Poole's book, males are smaller and are likely to be more advanced than females. I've thought that the small one was probably a male. Chest markings are no indicator of gender at this young age. So, for convenience, let's assume the smallest is male and let's call it Harry, after Pete's son. Names will come for the other two, but how we'll tell them apart won't be easy. Even telling the male from its siblings will probably be quite difficult unless there are two together for comparison.

I didn't go to the nest Wednesday or yesterday as it was so hot. This afternoon when I arrived, Harry was on the branch. Big Hook arrived with a fish, which she fed to the two that were on the nest. After about 20 minutes it got too much for Harry, who made his way down the branch onto the nest. I was beneath the nest, thus the different perspective. I must go down there more often. The birds were 60' away.

My issues with the 7D seem to have been resolved - my settings rather than any fault with the camera.

Big Hook and lets presume, the two girls.

Ha, that was exactly what I thought, Resin.

Harry starts to make his way down to join his siblings.

I was so close, I couldn't get everything in the frame.

I moved up the embankment after Big Hook returned from a bath and landed on the pole branch. Dad was in the big eucalypt and she was periodically yelling at him.

WOW! Beautiful shots Margaret. Love that name Harry. Cannot believe his wing span. My goodness, he was the smallest chick in the group.

Hope Dad has learned to tune out his mate. He is such a wonderful daddy. Very few shots of Big Hook show her with mouth shut!! LOL

Yes, GG, they grow so quickly. They are now just 2 months old. I'll have to fish around to see if I can find one of Big Hook with her beak closed. I'm sure I have one or two.

Such beautiful a setting. I too am so happy to learn the family is growing in harmony. Thanks Margaret, Pete and Madam X's contribution that brings this beautiful family to ours. I love the name Harry also, and would like to be the first in line to get Margaret's book in the near future. Hint hint.

So glad that all 3 chicks are in fine fettle. So good after last year's sadness.

I ditto everything Lily said! The photos are so beautiful and sharp. Glad you've figured out the problem with the camera.

The girls seem to have the same markings so I think you'll just have to guess who you name who. They're so beautiful.

Awesome photos!

This has been such an awesome year for the Osprey! Reading the threads and see all the fantastic photos reads just like a book! So happy that harmony prevails at the nest.

Margaret...how often do Osprey successfully raise 3 chicks?

book, did someone say you are doing a book, oh my, is it on the birds??????? if so I would be interested as well.

Incredible that the youngest has flow the coop so to speak... but back thankgoodness. Just amazing that they know when they can take off and not fall to earth.....

Love the info from all and pics as well, were would all of us be without those of you sending such wonderfing info and pics for us.

thanks so much.

Jan