Raising Aussie Osprey. Number 2

OMG, he's getting his white feathers! (or she) Wow

Amazing progress!

Margaret, you and the nestling are bothe great. Lee

Doing a lot of progress, in such a short time. Very nice.

Look at those legs! lol Margaret, I am really enjoying this "story in pictures." You are doing an excellent job!

Kim

I went to visit the Osprey family again this afternoon and was rewarded with some wonderful interactions. Kim, you're right about the legs. They seem even bulkier than yesterday.

My heart just melted when I saw this. The mother's bung eye is clearly visible, but her other eye is just find and the look that passed between her and the chick almost brought me to tears.

They held this gaze for several seconds and I just clicked away.

.......

Dad was on the branch the entire time, keenly observing what was going on in the nest.

Those legs are amazing!!

Ready.....

Steady........

Dang thing won't let me open the pic

This message was edited Jan 24, 2009 8:51 PM

GO!!

Sometimes it was hard to know where to look. At the female flapping her wings on the spot, or

at the Bottlenose Dolphins playing around a little way out into the bay. Decisions, decisions. It's a tough life LOL

Closing shot for today. I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I did.

Amazing! Those looks must mean something, like.. Mom where is that fish you promised me, lol, like any kid but it does look very personal. Wouldn't it be great if you saw it take it's first flight! It looks to be practising take off.

LOL of the baby going! Wonderful pics Margaret!

Outstanding update Margaret! Little Aussie is not so little anymore and sure has great looking legs. I love the personnal looks between the mother and offspring...it really warms the heart! Thanks so much for bringing this to us...it is great!

Those shots with mom & chick are just so amazing..to capture moments like that is what it's about!

Bet the kid is saying "I want to try one of those dolphins" ;-)

Wallaby, I've been going to the site most days on the off chance that I'll be there for any significant events.  Once it starts flapping its wings to strengthen the muscles and to get the feel of what flight will be like and also when it accompanies a parent up onto one of those branches, I'll know that it won't be far off flying.  I think I'll set up a camp stretcher and portable stove and just stay there for the next couple of weeks.  Could think of worse places to hang out. 

Rose, Pelle and Nanny, it's fabulous watching events unfold on a daily basis.  Nanny, those shots I got of the two birds gazing at each other was probably the most touching bird event I've ever see. 

The dolphins were there again today Resin.  I tried to get the chick in the nest with the dolphins passing leisurely by in the background, but had the extender on my lens and couldn't as the telephoto was too long.  (First and last time I'll ever complain about that, I'll bet).

Thanks Lee, Kim Burn, Knip and Mrs ED.  It's a real pleasure to share my experience.

Edited to add that that's the female on the dead branch above the nest in the centre of the picture.

Methodical, you asked if the Ospreys were aware of my presence and I explained they certainly were and were also used to the traffic on the river below.  I took a shot this afternoon of a speedboat with water-skier being towed behind and a pleasure craft a little way off.  It's only Friday.  We're expecting fabulous weather this weekend and the river will be buzzing.

This message was edited Nov 28, 2008 6:38 PM

I can't resist posting pics of the chick.

Beautiful place, Margaret. I was going to ask you how high up they were from the ground, but I can see that now. Are there any other "birders" hanging around, or are you the only one taking pics?

Hi GP. I think I'd be about 60' above the river, but it's really hard to tell.

Here's another shot from this afternoon. You can understand how I never tire of being there. With the weekend coming and summer only two days away, the bay will be a hive of activity. I plan to take my kayak there within the next week to get some shots of the nest from the river. Should prove interesting.

This message was edited Jan 24, 2009 8:55 PM

The Ospreys have a great view. Any idea of the time frame for the young ones first flight?

I'm a novice with Ospreys GP, but I think the chick will start venturing onto the branch in a few days time. It's still a bit wobbly on it's feet and there's still a lot a feather growth to happen before it can fledge. Fortunately I'm on leave and have few restrictions on the time I spend there.

I'm huddling in multiple clothing to keep warm, to see that blue sky and beautiful scenery makes me envious, lol! It gets dark now well before 4pm!

If you're on leave, then a camp on the spot is essential, lol, have fun and waiting to see every move from that chick! I guess the owner wouldn't object?

Margaret I can't tell you how special and wonderful this thread has been. I'm so glad you have shared it with us. It's so lovely that you've enabled all of us to see the progress of this incredible family.

Thanks!

I can't wait for the warmer weather here. Some of the local sanctuary have Osprey nest set up. I was told they nest there every year so I can't wait to see them next year in person. That is a good site to be able to look down on them and get your shots.

Fantastic to see the chick grow, & lovely perspective with the sailboat. Margaret, you have all of us waiting for the next 'episode'.

And so here is the next episode, Iris. I went there late this afternoon. Lots of activity on the river, as anticipated, with lots of water skiers on fast moving boats zooming under the nest. Here's a shot of the male dozing on a branch as three young lads were firing up their dinghy just below him after it conked out.

This message was edited Nov 30, 2008 7:45 PM

Growing up, isn't he?

No mistaking what type of bird it is now.

I was concentrating on what the chick was doing and left mum out of the picture. This is the first time I've seen it really giving its wings a workout.

It's still got a lot of pin feathers.

This is the male having a stretch just before he left on a fishing trip

Like father, like son.....or daughter.