Mom osprey and two of her chicks.
Can you find them both?
An immature osprey has a bright orange-red eye (that should help you id them).
raptor
Tagkinetic energy
this osprey exploded off the limb just over my head and headed for another crappie
double entente: aqua
sometimes the colors, the air, the water, the bird all coalesce into a magical unexpected moment: osprey in aqua
eagle family report: Ice’s glare
I am glad I am not at the end of Ice’s glaring stare.
He has spread his wings to dissipate heat.
Note how much white there is on the underside of his wings.
Usually I see this kind of pattern on two year olds, not fledglings – and I call it the Navaho blanket look.
Compare it to yesterday’s photo with Ice with his back to you and Wynd from the underside.
eagle family report: Wynd and Ice
Ice had been hanging out on the roost beside the nest
occasionally giving a “weep-weep” call hoping for fish.
Suddenly Wynd came busting past the nest – screeching.
Wynd had seen a parent coming with fish.
Not to be left out of a meal, Ice jumped into the air and they both disappeared.
Been a long time since I caught them both in the same frame.
twister
Ospreys frequently go completely under water when diving after fish.
This leaves the bird with a lot of very heavy water as excess weight on its body.
They solve the weight problem by shedding the water.
Like a dog, they start at the beak and do a full body, very vigorous, twisting shake back to the tail.
I caught this osprey at the point of the shake reaching his midsection; his beak almost back to its normal position.
doc ellen's journey 