ospreys of Jordan Lake

Tag

By dive

WALK677008-03-15

this is Ace, the male osprey, starting a fishing dive

By return!

WALK5074 osprey return female 2015

The ospreys have returned!
This is a female and her catch; her mate was fishing too.
It is a long migration flight for them – North Carolina to South America twice a year.

By tag and bounce

_RK_1266 Cadet and vulture 2014

Cadet, who is the immature osprey on the upper right, has taken to harassing the immature turkey vultures, the bird on the lower left. Both these birds were fledged this year and their flying skills are still sloppy. But that didn’t stop Cadet from diving down on the vulture who had to twist awkwardly to get away.
I caught the moment as Cadet bounced off of the vulture.

By serious

_RK_9696 Cadet close up 2014

Cadet looks so serious as he makes another lap of the river looking for his next fish.

By two youngsters

_RK_8410 Cadet and vulture sm sky 2014 (1)

That is Cadet upstairs and a young turkey vulture downstairs; they were both born this year.  As often happens, I was putting up my camera when I heard Cadet call and turned to see him buzz the vulture!  I missed the buzz-by dive with my camera, but did get this fly-by.