Early in the morn the sound of a calling Osprey awakened me. Looking out the window I saw one fly by and land on my neighbors dock. Rather unusual as around the manor, the Osprey usually fly by for destinations unknown.
Heading down to the water to investigate, with camera in hand, (Got to thank to Mr. fox for teaching me that lesson) I passed the hedge to see that Mr. Osprey has been busy since dawn building his home. Watching, he flew up and down the river picking up sticks to return them for placement on the nest.
When he’d take off for another stick, I crept closer and sat down at a tree to blend in a little for his return. Return he did, with attitude. Seems he didn’t appreciate the fact that he was working his tail off, and I was just sitting there doing nothing.
I took my cue and left after he did so that I could start my day. Returning home late in the afternoon I was dying with curiosity to see how the nest building was going. Arriving to the water, I see that he had set up a mini nest to the left, and now the lady of the house had moved in.
Seems she wasn’t too happy while sitting there watching him eat dinner. “Um…HELLO !! I’m waiting for you…” Typical guy, “lalala…I’m not listening, I’m eating!”
Not sure whether it was the sight of me, or the nagging wife, Mr. Osprey decided to fly off across the river to finish his dinner in peace.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Osprey sat on the nest fussing away.
At long last, between her fluffed up style, and continuous pleading Mr. Osprey decided to return for some afternoon delight.
Let’s hope they stay and osprey babies are on the way.
Some little tidbits: The way to tell which one is the boy, and which is the girl. The boy has a white chest, and the girl has speckling on her chest. Also this couple is a fairly young couple as the nest is a bit shallow and small. The older they become the larger the nest is having had much more experience house building.
Known as fish hawks, Osprey have a reversible outer toe that allows them to use two toes in front, and two toes in the back to grab a fish. Add a barbed foot pad, and the grabbed fish are literally in a death grip.
Osprey also mate for life and return to the same nest site year after year. As a migrating bird, one has been known to fly 2,700 miles between Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts and to French Guiana, South America in 13 days.
Truly a noble beast with dedication and perseverance. It’s no wonder they’ve got attitude.
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
You are making me run out of words…. This is an awesome place to hang out ….. Keep that camera by your side :-))
I’m learning Herb, you just never know what you will find.
I’ve always been a very fan of these birds but wow! reversible claw? evolution really created something amazing 🙂
It was the barbed pad that amazed me. Wow, talk about super glue!
Yep! Nature certainly provides! 😀
Wunderbar! Lucky you, Em. Let’s just hope they continue nesting, staying & returning in the years to come.
I really am hoping. Although they nested on the boat lift of my neighbors, we may have to set up a platform next to it for them to establish in future years if they return.
I love it when photos tell a story! And you have great photos to go with a great story!
Thank you so much Judy! I was so lucky to be present that day when all this happened. The nest building is done. Just moments after I would have missed it!
Really beautiful captures!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment Laura.
Beautiful photos and story!
Thank you so much! Thrilled you liked this story. Hope it continues.
Wonderful photos! How lucky you will be able to document the osprey family this year. 🙂
I am really hoping it comes to fruition. It’ll take time to see if all works out for the little family.
wonderful
Thanks Koustov. Love your blog. Your world is so completely different from mine. I enjoy your human perspective on life there.
Thanks Bella 🙂
Exceptional photos Emily 🙂
So very kind of you. Thank you!
Ospreys… right outside your DOOR??? How delicious is THAT??! 🙂 Gorgeous images… Cannot wait to see ours return!
I know ! I’m so excited and so afraid they’ll abandon the nest and go elsewhere. It’s so cold this morning, that every one is quiet on the river. Although the lady was in the house. Phew!
My camera isn’t nearly what yours is, Emily, but I am so glad you shared the diff between the male and female – henpecking aside – so I can tell them apart when I get into Photoshop! Feathers crossed that your pair decides to STAY! 🙂
LOL ! I know..thank facebook for other photog friends that taught me how to tell. 🙂 Love it..feathers crossed. Indeed!
I just gave a serious try at birds photo very recently and they are much tougher to catch in action that it does seems when you look at photos. I always tough they were easy to catch on photos until I gave a serious try. It’s really nice that you were able to get shots like that.
Indeed it is certainly a skill, bu a skill that can be learned. I’ve been working on it for about four years now, and things are just now starting to gel together. Glad you tried and found out what it takes. 🙂
Once you get bird photography down, everything else is super easy!
Great post Emily – beautiful shot of these fascinating birds.
Have to admit Mary, I’ve become obsessed with the osprey couple. I’ve now named them Zorro and Esperanza. 🙂
Very cool!
Thanks Mary ! I’m so thrilled that they are here. You have no idea.
I live in the country – Taiwan also has the Osprey, which is based on fish for food, prey caught on fly high after eating place or flood. Often in search of prey flying over water can temporarily fixed in the air, occasionally fly out of the body into the water again. Spring and winter migratory birds for transit, not common in Taiwan, appeared in the coast, estuaries, lakes and reservoirs, this is my understanding of the osprey.
you photography Osprey, which nest in very shallow, so I worry about it baby will fall.
The osprey is one of the few birds that can be found around the world. The parents did add more to the nest and it looks sturdier now. I saw it in high winds today and held up quite well. Stay tuned as I’ll be giving weekly updates of the little family.
Fantastic photos, Emily. Loved the short video. It must get lonely sitting on the nest all day, so I’m sure Mrs Osprey is thrilled when hubby flies in bearing treats. 🙂
She has been so persistent..she calls all the time. Found out that once is not enough. 🙂
Oh that is just a fantastic set!! I really hope you get to photograph some babies 🙂
I really hope so too Sarah. Walked over to the neighbors to come over and photograph any time. They said yes !! Have blind…will travel. 🙂
Awesome 🙂 And I see that nest is coming along well! Love the names they’ve been given too. Do you think you might manage a bit of filming for us? What a wonderful thing to be able to watch and document 🙂
I want a reversible toe! Lol. Stunning birds no doubt. I would certainly be intimidated to see him with his huge wings all spread out like that, gorgeous though I’m sure he might not appreciate how his posture just makes you more excited. 😉 That stick (small branch?) he’s carrying looks pretty big. Animals are so funny, they put a bunch of sticks together and say there, there honey lay them fragile little eggs right there and sit comfortably. He probably ate alone b/c he was tired of hearing her nag about how lazy he was with the nest.
I love the real experiences we get when you add video. Without knowing beforehand I might not know from a distance that that call is a Bird of Prey. Oddly enough it sort of reminds me of something my Cockatoo does. I have huge admiration and respect for bird calls, how they travel such far distances and mates can distinguish between each other’s calls and those of rivals. Fascinating. 😀 (Those are her I’m sorry honey calls for giving you so much crap.)
LOL! That last sentence is SO Funny ! She really is such a nag, and he is so devoted to her. But I certainly wouldn’t want to make him angry as one hit with his wings and lights out!
He did bring soft material next to make the nest more comfortable…..but…stay tuned. 🙂
😀
Maybe that’s why you don’t bother them, they recognize the camera and think, “Naaa you can take her hun.” 😉
Totally !! LOL !!