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!
Ow, ow, ouch!
The hazards of being a parent.
The fledgling was trying to grab a fish from dad’s talon
but got dad’s toe instead – in a very tight sharp hold.
Dad had to jerk several times before the fledgling let go.
He was dangling that foot for a few wing flaps as he flew away
but had the leg back in its place quickly.
photo taken July 10, 2015
Rising sun, rising osprey fledgling.
Eyes shining in the light, the youngster landed with the confidence she was gaining.
She had fledged only a few days before.
photo taken July 5, 2015
This osprey fledgling had been chasing his father Ace when he decided to make a landing on the flat surface of the dam’s tailrace. The flat surface makes a landing tricky and takes a lot of concentration…
on July 2, 2015 the final osprey chick of the Jordan Lake family fledged
please watch the video at http://youtu.be/vid4GPPj8-4
doc ellen's journey 