Raising Aussie Osprey #5

She's a force to be reckoned with. Aussie's at the front with the fish. You could see the cogs turning as the male decided which was the quickest way to exit the site.

And he's off (and who can blame him). The fledgling concentrated on the fish, ignoring the conflict going on above it.

You'd leave too if this was making its way towards you screaming like a banshee.

I think he should file for a DIVORCE!!!!!

"......... and don't come back".

Yeh, GP. It will be interesting to hear from the man who's observed them in previous years if she was as cranky with him then as she is now.

If I'm not mistaken, you said he brings fish for her also, right? I wonder if she could survive without him around. He sure is a hen-pecked husband.

He sure is, GP. Poor darling.

This is not easy to see and I might repost with an even more cropped shot, but Aussie grasped the fish and her talons must have locked on the fish because she jumped and leapt all around the nest making half-hearted distress calls, trying to get rid of it.

"Oooooow, get it off, get it off"!!

Fantastic shots Margaret! Does the male still remove the fish heads? And why would he do that?

She leapt into the air with joy after she was able to free herself from the fish.

Sorry knip, cross posted. Today was the first time in about the last week or so that I have seen him bring a fish without a head. I think in the early stages he removes the head because it isn't as easy to get into as the fleshy part of the body and whilst the chick is learning what to do with a fish, it's better to have a stationary object rather than one that's jumping around all over the place.

This message was edited Jan 1, 2009 10:39 PM

So glad to see the Dad even though the shrew scared him away quickly.

Great pics Margaret!

Poor dad!! Guess it is like us humans tho...ya know, mom home all day everyday with the busy toddler. You get a little cranky now and then. Somedays you just have to put the blame somewhere and DAD is so convenient.

But I wouldn't want that coming at me!! lol

Maybe, she was just asking him (in a stern voice) why he did not being her a fish. LOL

Great shots, Margaret.

It's interesting that the band lists Canberra. If that's any indication of where it was banded, then it's a long way from there.

Mrs Ed, Canberra is Australia's capital city and is home to various departments and I think it's likely that the national banding database is there, rather than the bird having been banded there.

ah. well, time will tell.

Just like all birds ringed [banded] in the USA have a Washington DC return address. And all the ones ringed in Britain have a London address.

Resin

Marna - Any chance you could work your magic, and put 4 or 5 photos of Aussie together in a grouping from the beginning to today? You did that several months ago with titmice I think they were. It would be neat to see Aussie's progression.

Yes, Margaret and I have talked about doing something. Stay tuned!!

Margaret suggested that I post these two pictures. See if they remind you of a certain pair of Ospreys…

And the spouse has its turn.

LOL! That's the first thing I thought of when I saw your thread!!

"Shhhhh, NOT in front of Junior"

That's so funny Mrs Ed.

I'll head off to the nest again later this afternoon and will start a new thread this evening (mevening). Here's a shot from November 5th. I just happened to have the file open, looking for some shots of Kookaburras that I knew I had somewhere.

Margaret I have been enjoying this thread, the banshee shot had me snorting, Mrs_Ed ,big bird photos too.

Oh yes, that's what I mean Margaret! Look at infant Aussie so dependent and vulnerable. Gave me goose bumps again seeing mommy lovingly caring for that little babe. And look at Aussie now fledged, and continuing her lessons!

Ditto Boot regarding the Marna's big birds!

Well, this is the tail end of thread #5.

Please join me on thread #6. Over here ........... http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/938966/