Oh, there is so much to learn before I fly south for the very first time!
Got to stick my landings. Grip limbs and fish. Avoid bald eagles.
I am one very determined female osprey fledgling!
Jordan Lake Osprey 09/07/2018
immature osprey
TagJL Raptor report: Broken Feather update 07-16-2018
Ranger Cove – Broken Feather Update
I watched as an unknown female osprey fledgling drifted into Ranger Cove.
Neither Ranger Cove parent osprey reacted.
But oh, did Broken Feather have something to say when the intruder tried to land in her nest.
From left to right: Piper, Broken Feather and the intruder thinking about landing.
The intruder realized it was headed for the wrong nest and quickly left.
Broken Feather was very proud of herself!
JL Update, Broken Feather 07/15/2018
Ranger Cove,
update Broken Feather
Broken Feather was dripping wet from her last attempt at fishing from the bank.
Determined to be a true osprey, she left the pile of logs and gained altitude.
The fledgling plowed into the water, true to her species.
Alas, Broken Feather didn’t get a fish.
But her heart is still saying work at it and so she did.
There were several more attempts, all empty talons.
Then dad osprey showed up at the nest with a fish and the sibling ospreys got a meal.
Maybe tomorrow Broken Feather and her brother Piper will each catch their own fish.
Startled Osprey Fledgling
Startled osprey fledgling.
Something crashed up the hill behind me and the youngster reacted instantly!
black and white photo
JL Neighborhood 4 photos August 26, 2017
The cooler air has a lot of birds out and about.
This fledgling osprey has a nice sized fish dangling below her wing and her “rivets” are glowing.
A spectacular osprey launch.
Accipiters can be tricky to identify.
I believe this is an immature Cooper’s hawk who zipped past me and into the far pine trees.
It is always a little disconcerting to see long legged birds way up in trees.
However, they often do just that!
But I didn’t let that stop me from photographing this great egret.
Osprey Fledglings at Jordan Lake
The ospreys are fledging at Jordan Lake – taking their first flights.
Male osprey fledgling. Note his orange eye. Adults have a golden eye.
This is a female osprey fledgling. Her dark feathered “brooch” marks her gender.
A little easier to see her dark neck patch.
By far the easiest way to tell that these ospreys are fledglings are by the white “rivets” on their feathers.
The “rivets” are white dots at the ends of their feathers and will wear off as they age.
