Osprey season 2011. The nest is a busy place.

Harmonious relations continue at the nest. Harry and his sisters are occasionally fed by their mother, but more often than not, are being left to feed themselves. I thought they'd squabble over any fish that is delivered to them, but no, their fine breeding prevails and they act with great decorum, each waiting until the other has had a feed and then taking over. They are so polite! Here's a poor shot of Dad arriving with a large, headless fish yesterday afternoon. Big Hook, who was on the pole branch, flew down to the nest to make certain he didn't overstay his welcome, but after he left, flying to the eucalypt where he's spending a lot of his time, she again flew to the pole branch, leaving her three youngsters to tackle the fish.

Rose, I'm so glad you're back with us. You've been missed. I hope everything continues to go well with the new computer. To answer your question, I don't know how often three chicks reach the stage that these three are at, but it seems that there are several nests in the north-eastern US that regularly have three chicks and there are one or two nest that have been known to raise four!

Iris, you're so right about this being a particularly good season, especially after last year. That was so tragic.

The book is in the throws of assessment by manuscript assessors. Trust me, you'll be the first to hear (after Madam X) if/when it ever gets to publishing stage. Jan, the book details the 2008-2009 nesting season, when the old adult female was in conflict with her single surviving chick over food. Here's a link to the first thread from that season. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/915026/

The smaller bird, Harry, is the only one to have fledged so far. The others are still practicing. Here's one of them coming back down after a hover - straight onto its siblings neck. Difficult to see as I was below the nest.

Here's a cropped shot of Big Hook's feet as she sat on the pole branch.

Big Hook receives a visitor. Sorry about the quality. I had no time to make any adjustments, but you'll get the idea.

..

She looked straight at me with an expression that said: "Can't you please do something about this little pest?"


This message was edited Nov 27, 2011 9:48 AM

It's a shame we can't post more than one shot at a time, because these next five shots are best viewed in quick succession. The two bigger chicks just gently observing each other and having beak contact.

1 of 5

2 of 5

3 of 5

4 of 5

Last one

One more of the three of them looking mature.

I was down the nest at 5 o'clock this morning. I thought it might have been a lovely sunrise, but alas, that was not to be. I did take a couple of shots with my wide angle lens from down close to the river. This is Harry coming back to the nest after soaring for a while.

They're such a fine fine family! The brave Willie Wagtail, little fella is so funny. The mother bird did never show aggression toward him Margaret?

From way down on the embankment, I took a shot of the eucalypt that Dad is spending his time in. He's actually in the tree, but impossible to pick out.

Now, here's a first. I was up on the other side of this tree, the wind was blowing a gale and Dad was sitting across and above me. Big Hook flew in next to him and I was showered with a stack of leaves that she'd ripped off as she passed her mate. I frequently check the font of my lens to make sure it hasn't gather dust and it had all this white stuff on it. I'll guarantee I'm the only person you know, who has had an osprey poop on their lens. I always carry a lens cleaning cloth and tackled it whilst it was "fresh". It was tenacious, but I eventually cleaned the visible poop off, but my lens now smells of osprey.

Kim, when the Willie Wagtails are really harassing them, they may turn and open their beaks and yell, but no, no aggression.

The tree is one interesting tree Margaret. Sorry about the incident. Big Hook can be mischievious when she wanted to be can't she?

Great pictures Margaret! Hope that cropped shot of Big Hook's feet is sharp enough for ya! LOL

LOL re. the look on Big Hook's face when that WW was annoying her. Perhaps she thought that if you would not get rid of the little pest, she would crap on your lens! LOL

Love the beak series. Heck, they are all wonderful. Nice shot of Harry returning to the nest, beautiful background in that one.

Kim, I actually got a good laugh out of it. I've read that Osprey smell will last for decades. It'll be interesting to see how long my lens continues to be a bit wiffy.

LOL, on the sharpness of the crop, GG. As I was cropping it, I was thinking how soft it was and how I'd have to try for a better shot.

I had it in my mind that the smallest was a male from the get go! Harry is a good name.....my stepdad was named Harry!

Love the beak series.....would be grand if they could ever get so you can post more than one shot.......

Incredible shots Margaret!!!

As always such amazing shots and I love your comments to go with the pics. Thanks for the link I'll check it out, but must admit, I know nature being what it is, just breaks my heart anyway when tragedy hits.

Jan

Beautiful shots Margaret!! Kool that the smallest has fledged first...love the DaDa Da shot! Thanks for posting the nest and eucalypt tree photo's.

What a great family-all the photos are so beautiful Margaret. I love coming to this thread to see how this family is doing.

Incredible photo documentary. It's beem mesmerizing. I love the angle of view that you are able to shoot from. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure.

Hello Margaret, so what is the latest update on your book? Have you thought about including these last several years as well?

To go back to when you first started sharing your photos, to having others who are there with you sharing and the comments you all have been sharing with us. This is just wonderful beyond anything that I've been so lucky to follow along with.

So thanks go to yall for blessing us with this osprey family.

Jan

Thanks Pelle, mnshutterbug and duc. They are co operative subjects.

Nanny, I suspected that the smallest was also a male. It is more precocious than its bigger siblings.

Glad you enjoyed seeing that beautiful tree, Burd and that you liked the shot of Big Hook conducting.

Jan, at present, the book is in limbo. I'm just having to wait things out. If ever the book is accepted for publication, I'll start on a second. It would probably incorporate the following three seasons. That's a way off yet.

I was sitting high up on the the embankment yesterday when Big Hook, who was on the pole branch, began to really carry on a treat, as sure sign that someone she didn't recognise was on the low path. Sure enough, a man was making his way towards the spot where the nest can be seen (just). She kept her eye on him the entire time and didn't relax until he left 5 minutes later. Here, she's vocalising with her concerned "Kek, kek, kek" sounds.

She'd break off for a second or two to check on the kids, which were eating a fish she had delivered to the nest before returning to watch the stranger.

I'll start a new thread early, but here's just one more of Big Hook after repositioning herself - still watching intently.

Here's the link to the new thread: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1232113/

This message was edited Dec 1, 2011 3:45 PM