Quiz meets his mom when she flies in. He aggressively checks out her talons – hoping she has a fish. Mom Kate does not. There are several short clips of Quiz “trampolining” – strengthing his wings and legs. Notice that he is getting air under his feet!
video is at https://flic.kr/p/FJyNwU
In the photo below: Mom Kate is on the perch limb to the right.
Quiz has his back to us and is to the far left of the nest.
Is this your pigeon??? I photographed this pigeon at the Ebenezer Boat Ramp, Jordan Lake, NC, parking lot this morning. There are 4 sets of code on the plastic/silver band on his right leg: 776 TRC 1F 2015. There is a dark green band on his left leg that appears to be embossed but I could not read it. The bird is flight capable and appears unhurt. I could not entice it to my hand. Please share this posting! He needs to get back to his home coop.
Quiz is bored and itchy. He scratches at an itch on his face. Note how bright yellow his feet are. I sometimes spot juvenile bald eagles by seeing their feet before seeing their head and body.
Quizzical was intently watching his mom Kate.
I heard an osprey scream the “eagle alert”.
I looked across the cove to see a male osprey, flying with a fish in his talons.
Then I saw Kate heading across the cove, I thought to take the fish from the osprey.
No, Kate had other thoughts in mind.
As she dove towards the osprey nest, the female osprey came up out of the nest and dove at Kate.
To no avail. Kate hurtled past both ospreys and into the trees where the nest was, hidden from my sight.
Both ospreys circled a couple of times. The female eventually headed further up the cove.
The male osprey, still carrying his fish, followed his mate.
Some 4 minutes later Kate reappeared. Beak all wet and shiny. She had feasted on the osprey eggs.
doc ellen's journey 