We have come from here. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1042463/ I hope you'll continue to enjoy watching the chick grow.
The lighting was much more favourable this afternoon and I managed to get some reasonable shots of the chick. Hopefully they'll improve as the greenery in the nest withers as the days get warmer. This is the mother Osprey, Big Hook with the chick.
The chick was taking shelter from the sun in Mum's shade.
Dad was on the dead tree close to the nest, so Big Hook took the opportunity to go for a quick flight. Here she's coming back up to the nest.
Their gaze never wanders from the alighting point when they're coming in for a landing.
The beauty of these magnificent birds never fails to enthrall me.
You'll need to look carefully, but the chick is right at her feet as she lands. Their judgement is impressive.
Dad arrived at the nest not long after Big Hook landed. Having come from the tree next door, he didn't have a fish, just wanting to have a closer look at the little one.
"Staring at the kid isn't going to get it fed. Go and catch a fish."
He tries to tune out, but Big Hook becomes more insistent and he eventually gives in and heads off into the bay. The chick watches and listens.
Big Hook does a bit of housekeeping.
The shadow had started to creep across the nest, but have a look at that little wing. The chick was flapping its wings vigorously.
Another shot showing its wings.
Not a very clear shot, but the chick is gazing up at its Mum.
Dad had still not arrived back at the nest by the time I needed to leave. He has frequently been returning when the nest is in deep shadow.
Here are three shots from yesterday. The Willie Wagtails never disappoint with their fearless pursuit of much larger targets.
She barely bats an eyelid as the Willie Wagtail scolds her from the branch above.
She reckons that if she closes her eyes and pretends he's not there, the Willie Wagtail will go away.
It doesn't.
That's it for this evening.
Gorgeous!
Thanks, Mrs Ed.
Outstanding shots Margaret! The chick is so adorable.
It was exciting to see the tiny wing movements on the chick. Gosh, it's growing so fast.
Incredible photography Margaret! I'm really enjoying every single photo!
nice ,nice photos,Thanks Margaret
Great shots, is he ever growing fast, and is very observant too. Like his little wings flapping.
Thanks for your comments. Here's a shot of Father on the upright branch for Madam X. He'd be preening himself, but every few seconds would look over to the nest to check that everything was as it should be, which is what he's doing here.
Such a clear shot!
Thanks, Pelle. We have a real soft spot for him.
Clear and perfect for framing!! Wow
Look at how the little one has grown in just a couple of days. This is what greeted me this afternoon. It was the first day where there was a real feel of summer about it.
I must have arrived just after the chick had been fed judging by its crop. Big Hook was very relaxed and the chick followed her around the nest to be in her shade.
At times it seemed too full to remain upright.
Since the chick hatched, whenever either parent comes in for a landing, as a protective measure they arrive with their feet bunched up into fists. You may be able to just see the chick in the lower right corner of the shot.
Closer
... and touchdown, with feet still bunched into fists.
After Big Hook had landed and had performed a bit of housekeeping, she settled down to gaze out over the bay. The chick again made its way towards her for shade.
Dad didn't come to the nest at all whilst I was there this afternoon. However, Big Hook gazing skywards indicated that there was an Osprey flying around the area. She was not the least bit concerned and just watched on with interest. This may or may not be Dad.
But whoa, there were two of them. They soared a good couple of hundred feet up, at times flying in perfect unison.
Who knows..
This one certainly appeared to be a male by the lack of a bib and it was flying closer to the nest.
Who knows ... the pair could possibly be Ausie and her beau? Terrific series Margaret! Thank you for sharing this awesome story and the photography is unbelievably beautiful!
I'm as sure as I could possibly be that this is Dad. It looks like him (no, not kidding) and Big Hook was making her typical greeting call to it, not a call of consternation if there was an intruder in the area. Call me fanciful, but I like to think that the second bird is Aussie. I am still seeing an Osprey on the usual tree at the end of the bay every few days.
