Each year when the ospreys return to Jordan Lake, territory disputes occur.
The east side of the First Nest Cove belongs, more or less, to the ospreys.
The west side of the cove, more or less, belongs to the bald eagles.
The osprey female initiated this encounter when Petruchio crossed the “line”.
Ultimately Petruchio pushed the osprey back east of the line and for the moment quiet reigned.
I gotta admit I admired the spunk of the much smaller osprey!
The ospreys have returned from South America – welcome home.
One year old bald eagle looking fierce in the morning light.
A very cold eastern bluebird, who like me, was wondering where the warm weather went.
Great blue heron stalking through the shoreline bushes.
Belted kingfisher surveying the waters for his next fish.
The small pied-billed grebe is named after the way the black ring bisects his beak.
The morning light illuminates this Bonaparte’s gull.
Thought y’all might enjoy the other end of the fledgling osprey’s flight.
After being puzzled by watching us watching her,
the youngster took off to practice her new skills.
The leap into the open space surrounding the nest is one step.
The next is to safely stick a landing.
This female osprey fledgling seemed as intent on watching my friends and I
as she was in making sure her feet were going to meet the branch at the right angle.
And, yes, she made a great landing!
Jordan Lake osprey family report:
Mom osprey (far right) and one of her three chicks sure are quizzical.
I wonder if it is because a black vulture has settled on a limb
only ten feet to the side and about 15 feet above me.
It is said one cannot go back in time – but I am going to attempt it with the Jordan Lake osprey family.
I kept an eye on them as I finished watching the fledging of the Jordan Lake eagle family.
So, this photo was taken on June 24, 2015 – keep an eye for the dates on upcoming family shots.
There is not much room left in the nest.
I’m not sure who is more worried about sharp talons landing in the wrong place –
mom osprey or the chicks.
Note that as mom lands, her toes are knuckling under to prevent her talons from accidentally harming a chick.
The eagles do the same when in the nest and there is no fish to hold down for shredding.
doc ellen's journey 