Raising Aussie Osprey #4

Staying really still.

It's an ongoing marvel, GP. I completely put my social life on hold. I don't want to miss anything if I can avoid it.

"I don't think it saw me".

The wind plays havoc with any chicks coif.

Beautiful pics Margaret! She sure is getting big and it won't be long before she's out of the nest. You have been so great keeping us updated on her progress!

Remember, when you publish, that I along with some others suggested it. LOL It would be a splendid thing to do. Love the pic time stamped 6:23am. That's one thing the chick and I have in common, keeping well coiffed. Lee

The male had been eating a fish in a nearby tree when I got there. He and the female would periodically call to each other. He then arrived with the partially eaten fish and landed on the nest. The chick headed straight over to Dad and the fish and started feeding himself. Mum, spurred to action, made her way down the branch scolding him all the way. He was trying to see what the chick was doing, along with keeping watch on his mates movements. As she advanced, he retreated closer to the edge of the nest.

Poor Dad; he's such a wonderful parent!

Thanks Pelle. When I was there yesterday, I looked back at the nest after taking the shots of the Kookaburra being hounded by the Willie Wagtails and thought I'd missed the male coming to the nest. In fact, it was the chick. Sure is getting big. And yes, it is really sad that he's being excluded. I don't know if this is common behaviour for Ospreys.

Lee, it would be nice if I ever did get published (that of course is dependent on me actually doing some writing).

Edging closer.

And the poor male is off. He did a fly around the area and I got several shots, all of which were dumped in the recycle bin. Little Aussie is completely relaxed about Mum's shrewish behaviour and had a good feed.

No not alot of writing. I see it as a big coffee table book of the progression of the chick, interspersed with pictures of the other birds you have caught on film. Seriously. You could uner each photo write a brief observation but he pictures would be the focus of the book. And, I'd like a signed copy so I can say, 'I knew that lady'. Lee

I really like this shot of the chick exercising its wings whilst Mum looks on. That's it for tonight. I'll head back there tomorrow afternoon. The weather is going to hot up again by the weekend.

Lee that is so lovely of you. Good idea too. Just one thing bothers me. Why the past tense. "I knew that lady" LOL

Do so forgive this Yank. Correction: 'I know this warm, lovely, charming, delightful, smart and determined woman' Am I forgiven? LOL Lee

Lovely last shot Margaret!

Yep

Oh Pelle, we just cross posted and it looks like I've said a smug "yep" to your comment, when in fact it was to Lee. Thanks Pelle.

This message was edited Dec 16, 2008 9:24 PM

I am so proud of Aussie and her folks...but I am more proud of the picture taker! You have told us a wonderful story with pictures. You have been very devoted to this project...even when it has been very warm. Thank you so much.

Kim

Margaret I agree with Kim's comment, and thanks a whole lot, for the interesting journey in Aussie's life..

It isn't a chore spending time at the nest or relating what's been happening there. It is too hot to consider going there any earlier than late afternoon when there's a bit of shade. Nearly three hours before sundown the nest is overtaken by shadow from a tree. This will be more of a problem when the sun moves further around to the west - a problem for photographers, that is, not the Ospreys who would undoubtedly relish the shade.

Love the last shot. Stay cool. Sort of hard to say from this side of the world..lol.

Elaine

Hopefully next year, Aussie will have a new sister or brother, or both. It's never too early to plan. You need to start thinking of names ! Anyway, I know the female is blind in one eye and has been tagged. So, if she returns next year you will be able to identify her. Does the male have any unique characteristics that would help identify him ? Just curious.

Your photos and superb dialogue continue to be quite impressive. There has to be some local publications that might also consider a short story with a few photos.

Margaret, I was doing a little research and I came across an interesting tour in Perth which is actually advertised as "Swan Valley, Wildlife and Wine" - a 4 1/2 hr. tour. I had visions of you sitting above Swan River, watching the wildlife for hours and perhaps sipping just a little "chilled" wine, with your lunch. No wonder you go back every day !!! I would too ......

Elaine, today is quite pleasant with a strong sea breeze, which is always welcome and reduces the temperature. We're currently of 22C (74F). Just lovely.

Thanks Linth. The only identifying characteristics on the male is that he looks a little henpecked. Seriously though, there's nothing that stands out which would let me pick him out in a line-up.

Linth, the Swan Valley has a thriving wine industry with many wineries, growing both white and red grapes. It has has very rich soils, not like the beach sand where we are and with the Mediterranean climate, is very well suited to grape growing. It is much farther up the Swan River then where I observe the Ospreys, which is approximately 6km from the mouth of the river at Fremantle. The Swan Valley wine tours are extremely popular and although I've never done a boat tour, four friends and I did a limousine tour. We stopped at two wineries, the first a larger one, Sandleford and the second one, where we had lunch, was the Upper Reach Winery, a smaller, boutique winery, and it was absolutely fantastic. That day is a story in itself. And yes, we did enjoy a very tiny glass of wine a very large number of times. I hadn't heard of the wine and wildlife tour, but it sounds good. Funny how we often don't know what's available in our own neck of the woods. We should all occasionally be a tourist for a day in our own cities, towns or rural areas.

Thank You Margaret for the wonderful pics and commentary, aways enjoy looking in on Aussy progress,
oh dear!! won't be long now that she's flaped off the ground.

Hi Boots. You're right. Mind you, well over a week ago I thought it would be out on the branch by now but that hasn't yet happened.

This afternoon there was a milestone. The male brought a fish. The female was on the right hand branch. Aussie, who had been sleeping, got up and ran over to Dad who readily relinquished to fish to the chick. The female was screaming at the male from the time he arrived and was posturing in a somewhat aggressive manner. He took her threats in the manner they were intended and quickly departed the scene. In this shot, the male has the fish held in his right talons. Aussie is in the process of going over to it. I've cropped the female out because she was headless.

This is the first time I've observed the chick eating on its own, right from the start. Previously, Mum has fed it and then it's had a pick at the fish itself. Pity I was so engrossed in what the chick was doing that I cut Mum off at the shoulders. However, she remained up on the branch watching her bub feeding itself. She didn't make a single sound after the male left.

It's a horrible end for the poor fish.

Lurking Margaret but enjoying your saga of the osprey. Lee

Good evening Lee.

Every now and then the chick would stop and make noises at the fish. The female started to make her way down the branch in continuing silence.

The chick had all the actions of the adult birds whilst feeding. The female is heading down the branch.

She didn't take her eyes off her chick as she moved towards it.

Getting closer

Is she luring him out so he can test his wings? Lee

Love that delicate little size 10 foot

No Lee, she was hungry and is heading down there to share the fish meal. They ate side by side for a while, then she went over to the other side of the nest to clean her beak, as she always does, and then, after a few minutes the chick started begging to be fed, which she did.

Oh, yes, thank you Margaret for clarifying. Lee

Again, the chick watches everything Mum does. I thought it was going to wipe its beak on the same branch this afternoon, but it didn't.

Trivial question, i know but do you have any idea as to the age of the adults?

Fantastic Margaret, I'm so enjoying your updates!

You are so right, Resin! ;o))

More amazing pictures, Marg! I love the one of Aussie watching Mom.

Enjoying this also.

Elaine

Thanks folks.

Lee, it's not a trivial question. However, it's one I can't answer. I know the nest has been there for a couple of decades at least, but what turnover of occupants there's been during that time, I wouldn't have a clue. I always get the impression that the female is not a young bird. She seems very tired. She went for a brief flight this afternoon and missed the branch on her first attempt to land, did a go-around and landed successfully on the second attempt.

The chick has several bursts of exercising its wings within a couple of hours. Today it was making different adult sounds to those it's made before. Quite expert as well.