Before an osprey can fledge, can fly, it must develop flight muscles.
The chicks are taking turns “wing wapping”.
Wings are stretched, the air is beaten hard, the soul gets concentrated.
One day soon the leap into flight will come.
photo taken June 28, 2015
Jordan Lake Osprey report: soaking wet
The rain had pounded the lake all night.
When I arrived one of the chicks was working hard to groom and get dry.
The biggest female chick was vigorously tearing apart a fish.
The third chick was tucked behind and low down in the nest.
photo date: June 26, 2015
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.
I was not in sight of the osprey nest when mom osprey found me.
She was angry, very angry; the dropped legs and feet are a threat posture.
I was pulling on my camo when I saw her shadow over me and then heard her scream.
I stopped, dared to lift my camera toward her, and she warned me again.
I did not argue and regretted having somehow upset the protective mom.
Quietly walking back to my vehicle more than a quarter mile away, I wondered about the violent reaction.
I have watched the nest for almost a month, on and off, and I rarely got more than a glance from the parents.
Part of the mystery was solved when a human resident told me that a lot of people had found the nest over the weekend.
They ignored the parent ospreys’ warnings and irritated the human resident since “his” birds were upset.
Another part of the mystery: one of the chicks had fledged and that makes parents very, very edgy.
I gave mom and nest a wide berth and headed on up the lake – asking the Creator to provide the nest some peace.
Mom and one chick are looking for the arrival of dad and breakfast.
Two of the chicks are trying to figure out whether or not that new pile of leaves is worth their interest.
The “pile of leaves” is me in my camouflage and mom dismissed me within seconds of my settling into place.
Quickly the chicks too forgot about me and soon all four ospreys were waiting for dad.
The blessings of a long lens and camouflage allow me to bring you photos without disturbing the family.
doc ellen's journey 