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An Intro to OspreyZone

The Story of DDT

Osprey Rescue

2020 Clips

Bald Eagles Visit Nest

Ospreyzone Highlights: May 21-29, 2020

OspreyZone Highlights: May 15-20, 2020 - The Intruder

OspreyZone Highlights: May 7th-14th, 2020

OspreyZone Highlights: April 15-21, 2020

OspreyZone Yankee

March 18, 2016 Timelapse

The Summer of 2015 by GinaM

Osprey Rescue Extended - July 30, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 28, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 19, 2015

osprey 07/11/15 squirt

First Sighting

George and Gracie's First Baby

Eggs Over Easy

Changing of the Guard

Breakfast is Served

Upgrading

Feeding Time

First Love

Let's Hang Out

Hard to Get

Little Brother

Intruder

Dinner is Served

OspreyZone Montage

OspreyZone Highlights: George Returns

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Belle’s Journey

Written by Dr. Rob Bierregaard & Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky

Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back–a journey of more than 8,000 miles.

Click HERE for more information!

IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts

Rob Bierregaard July 1, 2015 at 7:24 am
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.

4818eecc88292926c58414a82c884c71Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.

Reprinted with the permission of John W. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Hello Paul,

Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.

Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.

I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.

Best wishes, and good luck,

John W. Fitzpatrick

Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

In addition, Charles Eldermire, Bird Cams Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Writes:

It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.

Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.

charles.

*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Paul,

I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.

Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com

“Interesting. They don’t often take over osprey poles—probably too small for them. They will coopt tree nests, which they can expand. We had a pair of eagles do this on the Vineyard. They built up the Osprey nest a lot and then the Ospreys came home and drove the eagles away, in a David v. Goliath story. The Ospreys successfully bred. They looked tiny in the nest, which sadly blew down this winter.”

    Leave A Comment

    52,585 Comments

    1. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:37 am - Reply

      Jane sees George coming………..

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:38 am - Reply

        .does a pirouette in anticipation………….. then flies out

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:39 am - Reply

          George comes in………..

          • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:40 am - Reply

            ….and barely settles …………..

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:42 am

              …before Jane is back.

              “I wasn’t having any fun………….can I have the eggies back, please.?” so George went out.

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:53 am

              George comes back for an exchange, bringing nice greed seaweed.

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:55 am

              making it clear he wanted the nest……..Jane protested but moved; jumped to perch

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:57 am

              Guess she’s still up there, as George keeps checking perch

    2. kathryn June 8, 2018 at 11:09 am - Reply

      I think it is to late for the eggs to hatch. Will the ospreys stay around if they don’t hatch?

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 12:22 pm - Reply

        Just another point we will find out from our learning experience. From another nest last year that had no chicks, I remember they stayed around and were seen occasionally, if only to guard ownership of the nest.

    3. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:42 am - Reply

      Just because I think Jane looks really pretty here!

    4. Admin Shelli June 8, 2018 at 10:38 am - Reply

      Rjoneal asked me to post this for u all – she thought this is a wonderful project

      https://youtu.be/CO0lCtFaFIo

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 10:56 am - Reply

        Very creative! Nice to see plastic in a recycle project!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 11:38 am - Reply

        It’s amazing and a shame how much trash you see all over. One of the reasons we decided to use College Hunks Hauling Junk to clear out the stuff in my uncle’s home was because, according to their website, 60% to 70% of all the junk collected is recycled or donated, meaning that much less goes into landfills. We are killing the animals and we are killing the earth. I think that commercial from the 1970’s needs to be run again, for the current generation!

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 1:38 pm - Reply

          One of the best commercials ever!!! Could certainly use it now, as we are as wasteful now!

          • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 9:22 pm - Reply

            CarolV: It’s unbelievable that the water in the recent heron video looks the same as the water in the ’70s commercial!!

    5. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:09 am - Reply

      Some “hair-do” Jane had here!! (from earlier)

      • Trinity June 8, 2018 at 12:53 pm - Reply

        I always laugh when the wind styles her hair, Jane is too cute.

    6. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 9:26 am - Reply

      Jane shooing away an uninvited guest that seemed to want to land on the perch or nest! I wonder if it’s going to be a “busy” day today. I truly hope not!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:04 am - Reply

        I’m leaning toward a “busy” day!

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:06 am - Reply

        This one was carrying something……maybe Gracie with a peace offering?
        Unless it was George going to a tree nearby……….

        • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 12:22 pm - Reply

          CarolV: I saw that. Thought maybe it was a neighbor flying by with a fish!

          • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 1:39 pm - Reply

            I always wonder if and where other nests are in relation to OZ

    7. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 8:56 am - Reply

      I think Jane took a bath … she came back from a break all wet!

    8. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:22 am - Reply

      As an aside—- just saw on news about Anthony Bourdain, -chef, celeb, author- found dead of apparent suicide. He seemed so self-assured and successful. With the death of Kate Spade, and so many others, just goes to show outward appearance and material possessions can’t fulfill a troubled soul…………….

      Prayers for them and their loved ones left behind to make sense of these tragedies.

      • Isabella June 8, 2018 at 11:02 am - Reply

        I know he had drug problems in the past. Maybe he couldn’t completely chase his demons. So sad

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 11:11 am - Reply

        CarolV: I wonder what personal battles they were going through to feel so much despair, to give up and do such a drastic, permanent thing.

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 1:44 pm - Reply

          Me, too………… like in Kate Spade’s case. Outwardly it seems so selfish to leave a 13 yr. old daughter behind, with a letter that she “ask your father” why …… she must have been in such pain…

      • Trinity June 8, 2018 at 12:57 pm - Reply

        As someone who has battled depression amongst other problems, I always say don’t let a persons appearance fool you. I looked happy and was dead on the inside. Be hyper aware of your loved ones please. 😊

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 1:41 pm - Reply

          Prayers for you to give you strength…………

        • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 4:56 pm - Reply

          Trinity: I’m sorry to hear that, depression is a terrible thing to have to fight. I’ve been to the dark side where I believed there was no reason to live and the world would be better off without me, coming close but not having the courage to cross the line. Then I read this: “Whatever thoughts you are having, and however bad you are feeling, remember that you have not always felt this way, and that you will not always feel this way.” And, help is just a phone call away.

          National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
          Call 1-800-273-8255
          Available 24 hours everyday

    9. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:08 am - Reply

      George was on the nest after delivering that yummy fish………….. had some warnings to shout out……..

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:11 am - Reply

        Jane comes back from her breakfish with some grasses ……..

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:12 am - Reply

          .which she landed on G’s tail………..

          • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:13 am - Reply

            Jane watches……….

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:15 am

              …as George brings in some color for the nest……… He pushes Jane out again for a little more eggie time.
              Jane was back quickly to take back the nest.

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:32 am

              Weather report……….. nice day so far. The sparrows are chirping and someone is reminding me I need to fill the feeders!

              Temps. close to 60 already. Clouds and sun today, with temps mid-high 70s.
              I’ll take it!

    10. Admin Shelli June 8, 2018 at 8:00 am - Reply

      Good morning everybody!

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:09 am - Reply

        Glad to know that’s official! TY Shelli

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 8:48 am - Reply

        Admin Shelli: Yeah!! That’s good to know!!

        Sweet Jane, sweet Jane
        Sweet, sweet Jane

        • Trinity June 8, 2018 at 12:50 pm - Reply

          Absolutely love this tune ✌️. Perfect for our new girl

          • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 2:53 pm - Reply

            Trinity: Thank you. I thought it was fitting. Especially this soft version!!

      • nfc June 8, 2018 at 9:44 am - Reply

        Shelli— glad we have a name for the new girl in town. I hope that Gracie is ok and everything goes as it would in the osprey world. What is the facebook page you use. I like to read the facebook pages, but did not join. I always check wskrsnwings Vickie’s page. Would like to see yours too. You did mention a facebook page many moons ago. Thanks.

        • Admin Shelli June 8, 2018 at 10:16 am - Reply

          nfc here’s the link to our Facebook group 💕
          https://www.facebook.com/groups/989732047733394/

          • nfc June 8, 2018 at 11:42 am - Reply

            Thanks Shelli. It looks like you have to join to see it. I am going to post some comments from my students about the osprey nest next week after they watch the nest a little. It is the end of the school year so it is a little crazy getting everything done. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 12:24 pm

              That will be so much fun! Love seeing things thru a kid’s eyes!

      • ChrisH June 8, 2018 at 10:01 am - Reply

        Yay!!

      • June c June 8, 2018 at 3:48 pm - Reply

        Yea..our Beautiful lady has a name….

      • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 12:29 am - Reply

        Betsy and CarolV.. great pics and captions! These two are quite the entertaining pair!

      • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 10:53 am - Reply

        When will it read George and Jane up top?

        • Admin Shelli June 9, 2018 at 11:06 am - Reply

          I’ll try and change that now

          • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 6:00 pm - Reply

            Thank you Shelli!

            • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:15 pm

              TY, Shelli!

    11. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:35 am - Reply

      Finally got to read back thru all the texts for the past few days……… relived the sadness of seeing Gracie so desperate to reclaim her home and Jane so determined to keep it….. I hope for their sakes, these skirmishes have stopped. I am concerned for Gracie with her wound. But as always, we are voyeurs to a world in which we are not involved…….. let’s face it, we can’t control all in our own lives!! Getting too maudlin……..

      Anyway, was good to hear from RJONEAL………… thinking of you…

      ..

    12. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 7:21 am - Reply

      🎝I’m looking over a four-leaf clover I overlooked before 🎜

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 9:31 am - Reply

        Added some color to the brown decor

        • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:48 am - Reply

          CarolV: Yes, definitely some color needed!! 😀

    13. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:32 am - Reply

      George came to the nest early with a fish …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:35 am - Reply

        but it was just to show Jane the nice, whole fish because, just as she went to grab it from him, George flew off with it …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:36 am - Reply

        so, she did a bend-over-wing-and-hammy stretch …

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 9:33 am - Reply

          Must be taking classes at JABS, a local fitness center!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:37 am - Reply

        and then flew off herself …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:38 am - Reply

        coming back a little over a minute later …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:39 am - Reply

        to resume sitting on the eggs …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:41 am - Reply

        George came back with the now headless fish for Jane …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:47 am - Reply

        but after he released the fish from his foot as she grabbed the fish with her beak, he grabbed the other the other side of the fish with his beak, reluctant to let her have it yet …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:51 am - Reply

        then, finally, he let the fish go, looking longingly at it as Jane took possession of the fish …

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:53 am - Reply

        Jane took off with the fish, although it looked like she had a very precarious hold on it!! I think she was afraid that if she tried to get a better grip on it, George would snatch it back!!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:54 am - Reply

        And, then, George sat on the eggs.

        • nfc June 8, 2018 at 6:53 am - Reply

          Betsy— cute words to go with the action. A great way to start this Friday with a smile. Have a good day. Thanks.

          • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 8:50 am - Reply

            nfc: You’re welcome! And, you, too!

    14. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 11:52 pm - Reply

      Jane is quite the little gatherer!! First, two footfuls of grasses …

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 11:55 pm - Reply

        and a big stick …that she landed with on George’s back!!

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 11:58 pm - Reply

        George watching Jane bringing in the stick!

    15. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 10:23 pm - Reply

      Look what George brought!!!

    16. CarolV June 7, 2018 at 10:00 pm - Reply

      MIKER– your comment is so far back, suggesting here…….. Gracie needs a good legal eagle to draft a settlement!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 12:25 am - Reply

        CarolV: Didn’t see this before! … a legal eagle!! 😀

    17. CarolV June 7, 2018 at 9:32 pm - Reply

      BTW– just changed my gravatar….. now a picture of Maisie, the cat.

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 10:24 pm - Reply

        CarolV: She’s adorable!!

        • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 10:26 pm - Reply

          CarolV: Just went to your profile on Gravatar to get a better look at the picture — you have a lot of pictures in your photo gallery!!

      • June c June 8, 2018 at 7:19 am - Reply

        WOW…..17 years old….you must take very good care of your cats..God Bless

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 8:29 am - Reply

          I’ve been very fortunate. I have a houseful of old “people”….2 17yr. olds..a 16…a 15…and the baby cat is 12( just checked…older than I thought!)… The dog is 8 or 9…need to check……………… a whole house of creaky joints!

          • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:45 am - Reply

            CarolV: Including mama? 😀

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 1:47 pm

              OH Yeah……………..

      • ChrisH June 8, 2018 at 9:47 am - Reply

        She’s a beauty!!

    18. CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:46 pm - Reply

      The nest just wasn’t right………….. needed something…………….. a Plastic Strip!

      • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:48 pm - Reply

        Move, woman! This is where it goes!

        • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:50 pm - Reply

          After chasing Jane away, George settles in with his trophy…..

          • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:51 pm - Reply

            George! Look how comfy these are!

            • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:52 pm

              George is not impressed. ANYONE can have those in their nest!

            • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:55 pm

              After George leaves, Jane, like any good osprey wife, starts to move the strip…………

            • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:56 pm

              Jane tries to move it across the nest…………..

            • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 8:58 pm

              Maybe because it is new to her, she can’t leave it alone. Got caught briefly in her talon and flipped back almost to the same spot it started.

            • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 12:23 am

              CarolV: That was funny to watch her trying to shake it off her talon!!

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:14 am

              SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE…….shake your footy…shake your footy….

            • Admin Shelli June 8, 2018 at 7:36 am

              Hahahaaaa!

      • nfc June 8, 2018 at 6:58 am - Reply

        Carol– you have good story comments to go with your pixs. This is the fun part of scrolling through pictures. People like me can print the ones they like. Thanks.

    19. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 7:48 pm - Reply

      Remember how George used to be so fidgety while sitting on the eggs? Jane seems to be the same way!! She fussed with the grass around the egg bowl and then sat again. She apparently wasn’t comfortable because 20 seconds later she changed her position, not even fully sitting before deciding, No, this isn’t good, either. So she turned around, moved a clump of dried grass and sat. She stayed facing that way for over 45 minutes!

    20. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 6:30 pm - Reply

      George brought Jane a big partial fish for dinner (1). She unsuccessfully tried to grasp the fish with her foot (2). So, she decided she would grasp it with her beak to take it away. But, first she had to turn around, no easy task when you’re squished next to your partner on one side of the nest and you have a tail length of 6.5 to 9.4 inches and a wingspan of 54 to 72 inches!! She nearly knocked George over (3) and her wing went pppfffftttttt against the camera housing!! Then off she flew carrying the fish in her beak (4).

      Today, both George and Jane seemed to want to stand in front of the camera — I guess to show us their pretty feathers!!

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 7:14 pm - Reply

        Bottom picture in top set is of George. These are Jane.

    21. CarolV June 7, 2018 at 6:11 pm - Reply

      Always …….. the good stuff happens while I’m posting. Must learn to run my little tablet too so I can see what’s happening………………

      Here’s George with a big fish for Jane.

      • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 6:13 pm - Reply

        She tried to grab it with her talons, but was on unsteady footing on those logs…………

        • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 6:15 pm - Reply

          Jane took off with a beak hold. She was cleaning her beak when she came back, so hopefully she ate some. But she didn’t seem all that long.

    22. CarolV June 7, 2018 at 5:19 pm - Reply

      Did the usual scrollback when I got home. Looked fairly calm……..several shift changes and the delivery of this……………..

      • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 5:23 pm - Reply

        Nice big clump of beach detritus which George stretched out to spread around. Jane looks amazed!

        It’s been such an exciting time with all the trauma and reactions to Tommy’s name choice, we turned another page! We are a gabby bunch! Which I love since I miss so much most days…………

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:17 am - Reply

          Just reread that………….to be clear….. the trauma were the Gracie issues… not Tommy’s name choice! I started laughing reading that!

    23. Isabella June 7, 2018 at 4:13 pm - Reply

      Every time I peek in,so quiet. Can only hear the sparrows. Even Jane yawned! Hope the drama is done with!

      • Isabella June 7, 2018 at 4:22 pm - Reply

        Ok maybe that was George,cause Jane just came in

      • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 5:24 pm - Reply

        I think George just comes in to sleep!

    24. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 3:36 pm - Reply

      George watching Jane as she lands on the nest.

    25. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 3:04 pm - Reply

      So, y’all most of my troubles and travails in getting access to and retrieving family documents, photos, and heirlooms from my late uncle’s home in Bardonia and the ongoing battle with the horrid contractor who had bought the house, giving my uncle the right to live there until my uncle died. This morning I went up to Bardonia and, traffic being light for a change, it took me a little over an hour. Arriving so early I decided to eat breakfast at a local diner before heading to the house. The contractor’s brother-in-law, who’s been unlocking the house for me, showed up at about 7:50 am, as been the routine, but then informed me that as per the contractor, I’m not allowed in!! My luck being what it’s been lately, I can’t reach the attorney and I can’t reach the College Hunks Hauling Junk to cancel today!! So, I drive back to LI, it taking me almost 2 hours (the gods apparently making up for my quick drive there!!) to get home! I watched some OZ, nodding off in the recliner, and dreamt I was holding a lemur!! A lemur??!! Why would I dream I was holing a lemur??!! 😀 Not one to ever read “what your dream means” I decided, what the heck, let me see what it means … “Lemur in a dream is often a sign of something negative. If you had a dream about a lemur in general, then this dream warns you about a possible enemy in your life. Someone is trying to trick you and hurt you, so be careful about the people around you.” Oh, boy!! 😀

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 3:06 pm - Reply

        pic:

        • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 7:35 pm - Reply

          BETSY: Are you sure this wasn’t your lemur……. they tend to look alike………..

          • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 12:15 am - Reply

            CarolV: 😀 😀 😀 😀 Maybe it was … or at least that’s what it was thinking!!

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 3:10 pm - Reply

        Didn’t proofread first!! s/b: y’all know most of my troubles … and I wasn’t holing a lemur!! I was HOLDING a lemur!! 😀

        • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 5:35 pm - Reply

          And lemurs are so cute!!!!! Who knew lemur dreams were so prevalent they would be part of the dream meaning lexicon! And I’m glad you were holding that lemur, not holing it! That’s a WHOLE different meaning!!!
          You should have had that dream sooner!! The whole forewarned is fore-armed! That guy sounds like some piece of-um-work.
          Hope at least the diner had good food!
          I’m getting a headache for YOU!

          • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 6:38 pm - Reply

            CarolV: He’s got no empathy, no compassion, and no sense of humanity!! At least the food is pretty good there!! But, still, so are the diners near me!! Didn’t really need to take a 59-mile drive just to eat in one!! 😀 😀

            • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 7:31 pm

              Sounds like a liar, too……… all-in-all— a schmuck.

            • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 9:45 pm

              CarolV: Bingo!!

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 3:20 pm - Reply

        I basically made a 4-hour round trip just to eat in a diner!!

      • ChrisH June 7, 2018 at 5:39 pm - Reply

        Oh no – this is just going from bad to worse! Sending positive thoughts your way. Sure hope it helps!

        • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 6:41 pm - Reply

          ChrisH: Thank you!! Much appreciated!! I need all the help I can get!! I thought those osprey I saw flying around a couple of weeks ago were a sign of good things to come. Going to have to look up the symbolism of seeing an osprey!! 😀 😀

      • Isabella June 7, 2018 at 9:52 pm - Reply

        Wow Betsy,thought my dreams were weird! Holding a lemur. The message is so spot on with the jerk ur dealing with! Would give u a hug if I could.what I can do is say a prayer. I mean what is this guys problem!

        • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 12:17 am - Reply

          Isabella: Thank you for the hug and the prayer!!

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:19 am - Reply

          Isabella….GREED is his problem! And lack of a soul

    26. Betsy June 7, 2018 at 12:36 pm - Reply

      Jane was laying on the eggs in a world of her own, not aware that George was bringing a grass delivery. As he landed, she jumped and she let out the most adorable “squeaks!”

      https://youtu.be/OFFKh2_Z-Tk

      • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 12:47 pm - Reply

        Yikes! I have to start cleaning house! I have over 1400 hrs of OZ video from 2016, 2017, and now 2018 — using two 4Tb ext hard drives, a 1TB ext hard drive, a 650 GB ext hard drive, and my 1TB laptop and I’m down to less than 5GB of space left on the laptop!!

        • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 2:21 pm - Reply

          English please 😇🤨 hehe

          • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 4:25 pm - Reply

            CarolV: A terabyte (TB) is a unit of measurement in computers and similar electronic devices. One terabyte holds 1000 gigabytes (GB) or a trillion (1,000,000,000,000) bytes. A gigabyte (GB) is 1,000,000,000 bytes.

            It means I copied a hell of a lotta of OZ video!!! 😀 😀

            • CarolV June 7, 2018 at 9:52 pm

              I kind of knew all that, just don’t speak the language……….. I got the heeuva part….

      • Isabella June 7, 2018 at 3:03 pm - Reply

        Yea! Video from Betsy! Yes Betsy,clean,clean,clean.so you can do more videos!

      • Isabella June 7, 2018 at 3:09 pm - Reply

        Is Jane officially her name? It was one of many names I liked,though was rooting for Lucille/ Lucy . She makes me think of her with her mishaps and funny ways. When she looks into the camera she looks like her.lol she also looks like a peacock

        • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 4:17 pm - Reply

          Isabella: Here’s part of what Tommy posted yesterday: “My wife, Christina, agrees with the OspreyZone family that George’s new mate deserves a name. Does “Jane” seem appropriate and suitable? Please share your thoughts and let us know in the Comments section below.”

          It seems that the vast majority of the viewers support the name Jane. I won’t complain … it was my great grandma’s name!! 😀

    27. Leesa Downs June 7, 2018 at 11:51 am - Reply

      Well that will teach me to take time each day to check in on the nest! I opened the site yesterday just to watch our new mama for awhile, and then had to get back to work, so I didn’t read any of the comments. I am THRILLED that Gracie is alive, but confused. Of course as has been stated, this is nature, and we have made the choice to watch, and with that comes the responsibility of doing just that, watching. Not making judgement on what should be done, or what is cruel, etc. I’m going to just be satisfied that our beloved Gracie is alive, and hope she, too, finds a new mate. George and “Jane” are doing a good job, and he is obviously helping her learn the ropes. This, too, is nature. Thanks to each one of you who posted pictures of Gracie. They each made me smile really big. (Not so much that she was fighting though!)

      • Isabella June 7, 2018 at 12:42 pm - Reply

        leesa, I agree. Was so thrilled to see Gracie again. Can’t do a thing with what is happening. Just have to hope none of them get badly hurt and things calm down. Most concerned with those eggs hatching!

    28. Isabella June 7, 2018 at 10:59 am - Reply

      Mamma Mia,what is up with your feather! Seems quiet on the “nest front “ hope stays quiet! On other nest…Audrey’s two are so big! Already walking around on their “clown feet “ watching out over their “seadom”. Rachel’s three amigos are adorable! So far as I’ve seen,no bonking!

    29. GinaM June 7, 2018 at 9:25 am - Reply

      I used to live on a bay that was bordered by a pond. There were two swan nests. Two female swans. Each sat on her own nest with her own eggs. All the eggs hatched successfully. There was only ONE male. He went back and forth to the nests. Later they all swam around together as one big happy family. I always thought swans mated for life. I guess not necessarily with just one female. Maybe this is what is going on with George. Hey, we don’t call him Studmuffin for nothing.

    30. Jan June 7, 2018 at 7:53 am - Reply

      Hi Everyone..I am so sad at what is happening with the fighting and Gracie. I miss Gracie so much and am thankful she is alive and OK. Such a sad situation. Have been watching this nest for years now…not a big poster…but my heart is breaking.. Just want a good outcome for all…

    31. CarolV June 7, 2018 at 6:11 am - Reply

      ADMIN SHELLI……Looks like we’re getting 4hr. loop from last night. Took this just now at 6:08 am.. Runs to about 9 something p.m.

      And hope you continue to feel better. HAGD!

    32. Isabella June 7, 2018 at 12:26 am - Reply

      Hello all! Just coming on to catch up and read post. Seems like most post are about the new name. Hope that means things were quiet on the “nest front “

    33. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 7:54 pm - Reply

      I realize this is a stupid question but would it be at all possible for George to be the “man” of two nests? One with Gracie, possibly, and one with the new girl, who I refer to as Hope?

      • Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 8:06 pm - Reply

        This has been known to happen…but there’s no way to know unfortunately.

        • Leanne June 6, 2018 at 8:24 pm - Reply

          Thanks so much for the reply.

    34. CarolV June 6, 2018 at 7:45 pm - Reply

      I always love this time of the day, when the sun’s slanting rays light up the nest while throwing shadows.

      There is so much to process with all that has been going on and I can’t even read all that is here. I’m disappointed that Gracie has been shut out. We all loved her. I just want the attacks to stop so we can watch the rest of the season to see what happens with these eggs.
      I wonder if the attacks escalated now that there are eggs on the nest??? Again, more questions, more speculation……… Our lessons continue, with Mother Nature as our teacher.

      I will have to get caught up another day.

    35. Meli June 6, 2018 at 5:22 pm - Reply

      Could it be that Gracie found a mate and then got kicked out by the late arriving female and now she is trying to claim her old nest and the 5 ospreys seen in the attacks are Gracie, George, Jane – our new female and Gracie’s new mate and the late arriving female who is after Gracie? Maybe now all chase each other…. just trying to make sense out loud out of all this…. knowledge is power, and lacking knowledge right now drives me crazy… we should rename the nest from “The turning nest” to “Blood and feathers”. Hopefully it quiets down… anyone knows an osprey addiction counseling center?? (Just joking)…

      • CarolV June 6, 2018 at 7:47 pm - Reply

        There was a time when we joked about forming OWA……. Osprey Watchers Anonymous. Time to bring it up again?

    36. Paula June 6, 2018 at 5:12 pm - Reply

      Hi All,
      I thought of Jane for the new girl, after the Jetson’s cartoon but since our Gracie has returned I think Liz or Elizabeth is a better name after Elizabeth Taylor who stole Eddie Fisher from Debbie Reynolds. It’s all I’ve been thinking about since seeing the awful confrontations at the nest. It’s really heartbreaking to see our Gracie fighting so hard for what was her’s. I like to think that everything will work out for all but from what I’ve been seeing Gracie is determined and I’m really afraid for her.

    37. SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 4:29 pm - Reply

      ~Here is to praying for a good outcome for all the osprey we are blessed to see here in this cam. The osprey are so very blessed to have this nest as are we to be able to watch it.

      ~As others have shared, IF this is Gracie, then she is only doing what she is wired to do, so to speak. Something must have delayed her in returning from migration perhaps. The instinct to breed and create more osprey is also nature’s call, right? So George, without Gracie, would naturally seek a mate for procreation. We cannot know what has happened here and before the cam came back on… SO many maybes… There are multitudes of scenarios as to what did happen out there…

      ~IF Gracie, then her odds of winning both nest and George back would have been better were there no eggs here. Now that the eggs are here, the odds are truly stacked against her. Also, I suspect this female is younger than Gracie, so that’s another thing to consider too. George is also following the instinct to protect nest and his young, first and foremost. Creating new life is their entire purpose for nesting…

      ~This whole thing is sad indeed – we humans may harbor loyalties to certain creatures which is only natural. However, at the same time, no one wishes harm to any new creature on the scene. If anyone does – then they need check their heart, bec all creatures deserve caring, but sadly, most in our world don’t get it. I sincerely hope this all ends with no more injuries and no worse case scenarios…

      ~Finally IF it is Gracie, and she loses this battle – I hope she fares well out there and maybe she will return to this nest nest season. Maybe also, so will the new female and we sure don’t want new battles to ensue at that future time either… All we can do is watch and hope for the best for ALL these birds – no matter what happens. And if, like me, you’re a praying person? Then do please join me in praying like crazy that all will be well – for each and all of these beautiful birds – and for those precious eggs.

      ~Hugs to the owners for making the nest for the osprey, installing a cam for us all and providing the web site where we can share and enjoy each other’s company. I have marveled at what I’ve seen here, I have laughed and yes, I have cried. Thank you for the blessing of this place.

      ~Hugs to anyone feeling sad and worried right now.

      ~Hugs to ALL of these osprey that we are seeing and to those precious eggs

      ~Thank you to all for the pleasure of your company and for your welcoming spirits shared here.

      ~How old is Gracie – approximately? Anyone?

    38. PattyK June 6, 2018 at 4:26 pm - Reply

      3;17pm Thank you so very much dear Tommy and Christine for your message. we truly appreciate your generosity of providing a super nest platform for our Osprey and allowing all of us to experience nature! As humans and animal lovers it is not always easy to disengage our natural “pet friendly” instincts, so thank you for reminding us all..
      Love that your wife has picked a name for our new nest lady and I will give a big YES for Jane! xoxoxo

    39. GinaM June 6, 2018 at 4:22 pm - Reply

      OMG I just watched your videos. That is Gracie.

    40. Karen June 6, 2018 at 4:11 pm - Reply

      Jewel is a beautiful name also!

    41. Karen June 6, 2018 at 4:07 pm - Reply

      My friends and I that watch the Zone and chat have been calling her Lacey, because of her beautiful necklace.

    42. RobininMD June 6, 2018 at 3:57 pm - Reply

      WoW so Betsy was right – that WAS Gracey! We are really learning a lot with these cams!

    43. Elaine June 6, 2018 at 3:43 pm - Reply

      I agree with Tommy and Shelli. I think Jane is a beautiful name for our new lady. I think even George would agree with it.

    44. John Fischetti June 6, 2018 at 3:12 pm - Reply

      Sad news to report. An Osprey nest built atop a 100-ft tall tree trunk in Richmond Creek in Peconic collapsed during a recent windy storm. The female who was nursing eggs in the nest seems to be OK but the nest has been lost to the water. She can be seen circling the area. Very sad.

    45. JanW June 6, 2018 at 3:02 pm - Reply

      I would like to put forward another name for the new female – on account of her magnificent necklace I dubbed her Lacey

    46. Tommy June 6, 2018 at 2:10 pm - Reply

      Hi Osprey Zone family,

      I hope everyone is doing well! I am Tommy, the OspreyZones landlord. I wanted to address the concerns over the latest fighting and drama at the nest . This site was created to offer a glimpse of nature in its purest form. As we enjoy giving the Ospreys human names,that is the extent of their anthropomorphic or human characteristics. While we have provided a nice location for the birds to nest, we must remember that the Ospreys are not our pets. We all want the best for the George, Gracie, George’s new mate, and all of the eggs, as we watch nature takes its course in the lives of these beautiful birds.

      My wife, Christina, agrees with the OspreyZone family that George’s new mate deserves a name. Does “Jane” seem appropriate and suitable? Please share your thoughts and let us know in the Comments section below.

      Thank you for all of your positive thoughts and support.
      — Tommy

      P S.
      For your information, Female Ospreys are 1/3 larger than the Male Osprey. The female wings are wider than a male’s narrower wings.I hope you all enjoy the OspreyZone site!

      • Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 2:52 pm - Reply

        Thank you Tommy and Christina for suggesting the name Jane.
        A few others have suggested that name as well and I think it’s a good one!

        I’m so glad u got the message of the viewers….they really thought u deserved to name the new lady in town.

        Thank u for all u do to provide this cam for all of us to watch, it is greatly appreciated 🤗

      • Deborah Fortin June 6, 2018 at 3:18 pm - Reply

        Jane is beautiful.

      • Redkayak June 6, 2018 at 3:21 pm - Reply

        We would not have this magnificent view and unique window into the lives of these fascinating creatures if it wasn’t for you Tommy. I think Jane is a fine name. Thank you again for building the platform, installing this camera and sharing this website. It’s amazing.

      • June c June 6, 2018 at 3:41 pm - Reply

        Hi Tommy n Christina…I think Jane is a great name…and Thank You always for the cam…She is a beautiful Osprey…and deserves a name

      • SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 4:06 pm - Reply

        Hello shout out to Tommy and Christina – thank you so very much for this site and the blessing of a bird’s eye view here! I am a relatively new member of the chat community, but have certainly looked in here many, many times. I have always loved the incredibly close view of the nest and the gorgeous penthouse view of the ocean. So yes thank you!!

        Re naming the new female – agree that she needs one asap. We all call her by different names or no name…. What about a naming contest as you have had in the past? Set a date deadline for everyone to submit their name suggestions. Then, everyone votes, again, with a deadline imposed. The name with most votes wins. What do you folks think?

        Unless of course, you and your wife have a sentimental reason for the name Jane?

      • ChrisH June 6, 2018 at 4:07 pm - Reply

        Hi Tommy, so nice to hear from you! I do like Jane as the new lady’s name.

        I would like to take a moment to thank you for setting up the camera in the first place. I was hooked from the first time I checked out the site. I had never viewed a nature camera before, or knew very much about Ospreys either for that matter, and I cannot believe how much I’ve learned and enjoyed this experience since starting to watch in 2015! As tough as this latest situation is, we’ve been lucky so far that the happy and celebratory events have outweighed the sad.

        Thank you again to you and Christina and everyone else involved with Ospreyzone!

      • GinaM June 6, 2018 at 4:13 pm - Reply

        Hello Tommy, so good to hear from you. I completely agree with you and I have said from the beginning you should name the new girl. Jane is a great name. Thank you for all you have provided us. We are forever indebted.

      • Jere June 6, 2018 at 4:21 pm - Reply

        I like the suggestion of Jane, as well!

      • Trinity June 6, 2018 at 4:46 pm - Reply

        Love the Jetsons reference !

      • nfc June 6, 2018 at 5:52 pm - Reply

        Jane is a good name. Thanks for all you do letting us into the world of ospreys.

      • Sarah Lynn June 6, 2018 at 6:37 pm - Reply

        I very much favor letting the site “owners” pick the name. A naming contest encourages the feeling that the birds are pets, and we can insulate ourselves against sorrow if we acknowledge that they are not pets nor “people with feathers” (I think I quote Dr. Bierregard in that phrase). They are wondrous creations and we can love them, at our own risk, but we can’t forget they are wild and follow their natures rather than our wishes.

        • SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 7, 2018 at 9:51 am - Reply

          *Skip this post if you are one who loathes long posts. I’m a passionate soul and a writer, it’s what I am and what I do. You honor you.* ;D

          Hiya Sarah, all due respect to your thoughts on the naming and anyone else who shares this view – here is my take on the subject. …

          ~I don’t agree re naming the creatures we see on live cams then transfers to people considering them as “pets.” I, for one, certainly know they are not pets and naming them does not then change that reality for me. Also, having names, having no names, having numbers with or without letters added all make absolutely NO difference to me insofar as my thoughts and feelings go. In addition, having my thoughts and feelings in response to what we see via these live creature cams has nothing at all to do with any projection of my very human feelings onto the creatures we watch…. I simply do not project.

          ~I am going to feel my full range of human emotions as I watch these birds – this is me being me. I care about all creatures in our world, hence I will have my attachments insofar as the depth of my care for all creatures – ‘matters not whether my dogs at home or wild creatures out there in our world, on cam and off. I am the very same way about people – I care about human beings as well and this matters not to me whether I know them personally or they live on the other side of our planet.

          ~So a name bestowed upon any live cam creature does not make any difference insofar as what I may think or feel, as we peek into their world with all its’ ups and downs. Their lives like ours, will have good, bad and ugly in it. I will also have my own feelings in response to all that I may witness here along with good and clear boundaries. I embrace all creatures and am well aware that they each have their very own ways of being and yes, to me, they have their very own feelings as well.

          ~To sum up the huge range of feelings into a small and very basic category = mad, sad, glad and scared. These birds display all of these feelings – in their very own ways and also, in ways similar to humans. I can see when these emotions are in their eyes as well as in their obvious behaviors. This is not projecting human emotions onto them bec they have their own. Human beings do not own the blessing of feelings hence we certainly are not the only species to feel emotions…

          ~We humans also have instincts aka gut feelings though we tend to temper such within us via thinking too much. These gut feelings are often negated by other human beings, even those with the very best of intentions. We are animals too though we seem to have grown so very removed from this fact. So yes, these creatures share a kinship with us in our beautiful world where anything can and may happen. We share much more in common with other creatures than far too many humans seem to understand or be aware of. So this endless condemnation of humans who feel so many things in response to live cam creatures is so very sad to me. It’s not projecting human emotions onto other species of life, but rather it’s about having our very own compassion and empathy for all that we see any and all other beings experience.

          ~Having no name, having number, letters or an actual name will have no bearing on my heart, my caring for, my concern for and all my thoughts and feelings for any living creature. This is no affront upon you Sarah, this is me, a passionate writer who is an advocate for many things, including the very real and healthy experience of our feeling lives. So this is me addressing the subject matter at large, sparked by your post, not personal re you and I. =)

          ~It is an endless source of debate, discussion and I have also sadly seen incredible head butting over this very topic in many a chat community. There will always be those who go along with whatever comes into our view on these cams, accepting that this is nature, period, the end. There will also always be those of us who have our feelings about what we see and we then express those. We too come to acceptance of what is – but first! we may have lots of feelings about it all. The first group will chide the latter group, scolding them for this and that and ripping onto them. They choose to berate we who feel these feelings and they then make all these false accusations – projecting their own ways of being onto us – telling us that we are wrong and they are right. No. NO one is wrong and NO one is right. We are all different and every human being falls somewhere different on the feelings scale… As long as people are not going to any extremes from on that scale – then there is no problem at all.

          ~There is no right or wrong way to be you. Hence there is no right or wrong way to experience these live cams. ‘Exceptions to this are obvious and we all know what those are, or we should know! Lol. We are each here on Earth to embrace our very own voices and all are needed. On one end of that feeling scale – we can have hysterical, unreasonable, hateful even (and we have certainly seen that all over the online cam viewing community) to all the way to the other end = cold, detached, devoid of both empathy and emotion as well as hateful can be found here too. Most human beings fall somewhere in between the extremes. It’s OKAY if one watches these cams and does so with a very pragmatic stance, accepting IMMEDIATELY all that is and all that is not. It’s also okay for we who experience our full range of emotions BEFORE we come to acceptance of what is. Live and let live. Don’t negate others for being themselves just because they are different from you.

          ~Again Sarah, not directed at you personally but rather directed to the topic that you brought up. Thank you for the opportunity for the writer to express my very strong feelings about feelings! LOL. =D♥

          ~Finally, a naming contest does not encourage a “feeling that the birds are pets” – I do hear what you are saying, however, give us a little credit here, lol. We all know they are not “pets”. Heck, I don’t even like the word “pet” and I don’t call my four dogs “pets”. I call them my pack, my fur babies, my dogs, my canines, etc etc but never “pets” as I recognize they are their very own creatures. And so say “fur babies” also does not then mean this is me projecting onto them somehow that they are like human babies, lol. No! they are dogs – my terms of endearment for any creatures does not translate to me thinking they are human! For all of our different ways of being, yes my dogs share emotions which I possess = mad, sad, glad and scared. They are every much as in tune with whatever I am feeling as I am with them. If one of these osprey shared life with me? you can bet we too would share a kinship bec we already do as living beings. I cannot get that closeness with a wild creature on a cam, but I sure can get close to them – in my head and in my heart. ♥

          • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 12:17 pm - Reply

            SmokyMtnCreatureFan: Very well said!

            I’m re-posting my response to a comment made in 2016:
            We all know ospreys are not feathered human beings. I believe that when people watch animal cams, they can develop a better understanding of animals and a better awareness of our relationship to them and the environment. And, if ascribing one iota of human characteristics to the animals helps people to create a bond with and to appreciate animals, well, all the better. Because, after all, it’s humans who are destroying wildlife and the planet, which will ultimately lead to the destruction of humankind. Heck, reputable preservation and conservation web cam sites give human names to animals – isn’t that a form of anthropomorphism? And, in fact, Audubon had a review of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel, by Carl Safina, Henry Holt and Company (https://www.audubon.org/news/carl-safina-makes-case-anthropomorphism).

            Another book about animal thoughts and feelings: Animal Wise by Virginia Morell

            A couple of interesting articles:
            https://www.thecut.com/2016/02/the-scientific-case-for-anthropomorphism.html
            https://www.smh.com.au/national/scientific-studies-of-animal-intelligence-and-emotion-reveal-surprising-traits-20150703-gi4nbh.html
            https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/50/10/861/233998
            https://ethology.eu/do-animals-have-feelings/
            https://www.livescience.com/49093-animals-have-feelings.html

            To be fair, here’s a link for arguments for both sides of whether animals have emotions:
            https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hot-thought/201711/do-animals-have-emotions-debate

            • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 12:19 pm

              Oops, forgot this link:

            • ChrisH June 7, 2018 at 5:29 pm

              This is some great resource material, Betsy. As I posted previously, I’ve learned so much here!

            • Betsy June 7, 2018 at 7:00 pm

              ChrisH: Thank you. When I started watching, really watching, OZ in 2016 I knew absolutely nothing about the osprey. When someone would ask a question I would think, Hmm. That’s a really good question!! So I started looking up information and then sharing what I found!! As anyone who lives with a dog or cat or rabbit or whatever, knows they have feelings and express those feelings and they think and they reason!! We’ve seen it here on OZ. When my parents were newly married they adopted a dog. She used to like to sit in front of the heat register in the winter, but she also liked to sit on the small rug that was in front of the kitchen sink. One day, as my mother was watching, the dog looked at the rug, then at the heat register, and then at the rug … then, she pulled the rug over in front of the heat register! Now, if that’s not thinking and reasoning, then I don’t know what is!! 🙂

            • ChrisH June 8, 2018 at 9:59 am

              Betsy, that is too funny about the kitchen rug – but I can totally see that!

      • CarolV June 6, 2018 at 7:04 pm - Reply

        Tommy and Christina Thanks for all you’ve done to start this lesson in the workings of nature. Like others, since you named the original adults, it is your honor to name this new female. Jane it is, as far as I’m concerned.

        Hope all is well with you and your family. Have a good summer!

      • Deborah Fortin June 7, 2018 at 5:09 am - Reply

        I forgot to say….thank you Tommy and Christina for this wonderful opportunity you have given us by opening the world of the Osprey to us through Osprey Zone. It is a privilege to be able to watch nature and learn about these wonderful birds of prey.

      • Susan M June 7, 2018 at 8:23 am - Reply

        The name Jane is lovely!

      • Pattie Hoolie June 7, 2018 at 9:55 am - Reply

        Thank you Tommy for these experiences year to year 🙂 Jane is a Good Solid name!

      • Leesa Downs June 7, 2018 at 11:34 am - Reply

        Jane sounds perfect! And again, thank you for allowing us the privilege to observe these beautiful creatures.

    47. Miker June 6, 2018 at 1:35 pm - Reply

      Does anybody know a good divorce attorney we can recommend to George and Gracie maybe he can figure out how to split the equity in the nest maybe they can share George gets it on Monday Gracie on tuesday and so on

      • Suzanne June 6, 2018 at 2:47 pm - Reply

        Good idea – LOL! …I ordered Gracie a copy of the movie “The First Wives Club” – will send it her way when I receive it =)

    48. Betsy June 6, 2018 at 12:32 pm - Reply

      Oh, no!! The male osprey is not sitting on all of the eggs!

      • chris June 6, 2018 at 1:43 pm - Reply

        Don’t worry he fixed it shortly after 🙂

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 4:26 pm - Reply

          chris: Yes, I know! And, Jane (the newly named female) did so yesterday!! 😀

    49. Bonnie June 6, 2018 at 12:20 pm - Reply

      There needs to be some serious nest bowl and bowl area clean up here. Some of those pieces of bark, sticks, ‘logs’ are too big for the health of the eggs and chicks when they hatch the way the big feet keep mashing on one end and causing things to bop up and down and endanger the eggs. Nice that there is not plastic junk in the nest so far.

    50. Isabella June 6, 2018 at 12:12 pm - Reply

      This is as bad as watching chicks bonking! Since camera was down we won’t know what happened. Did Gracie come back too late? Did George? Did George decide to get a new female? Would think Gracie would be on another nest with her own chicks. Guess she didn’t find another mate. Which might explain why she wants her nest back. Unfortunately we are learning the hard way another chapter in osprey life. Hope nothing bad happens. I feel bad for Gracie and Mamma Mia.

      • Meli June 6, 2018 at 4:20 pm - Reply

        I was asking myself the same questions…. and why Gracie started the attacks only recently? Did she just arrive? This late?

      • RobininMD June 6, 2018 at 6:21 pm - Reply

        or maybe she was in a rehab somewhere? has anyone had the chance to see her there is a band on her talon?

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 7:15 pm - Reply

          RobininMD: Nope, no band.

    51. Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 12:04 pm - Reply

      Condescending and disrespectful comments won’t be tolerated nor will they be posted.
      If you want to be a part of this group all u have to do is be kind and respectful. ♥️

      • June c June 6, 2018 at 1:02 pm - Reply

        This totally true…Thank you…

      • SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 3:54 pm - Reply

        Amen! =)

      • Deborah Fortin June 6, 2018 at 6:51 pm - Reply

        Agreed

    52. SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 11:37 am - Reply

      ~Praying like crazy to The Universe – for the safety of George, his new GF, their eggs and Gracie. Whatever comes of this battling – I pray that not one of these precious birds plus their eggs – sustain life threatening injuries, or worse, as this all plays out. This is heart breaking indeed. I just cannot stop praying for it all to end without ANY tragedies. Yes this is nature where anything can and will happen. Each bird is just doing what they are here on Earth to do, wired for survival. Hard to witness at times, such as now… especially for we who are tender of heart. Let us hope this battling ends soon and that all involved will ultimately be okay, no matter the outcome…

    53. Rjoneal June 6, 2018 at 10:53 am - Reply

      ATTENTION: Hi Osprey Zone Followers,
      You all know by now I have not been watching this Season. I subscribe to several You-tube channels and that is how I saw Gracie at the nest the other day on a video.
      This is defiantly Our Gracie by all the markings, I was able to count about 5 different markings and along with the behavior this Osprey is displaying trying to take over this nest.
      I knew a lot of drama would be happening this Season when we did not see Gracie not knowing if New Female took over and kicked Gracie out or if Gracie did not return. The camera was not able to be on at the beginning so we do not know what happened from the start.

      Fact we do know just like with other raptors and Eagles a New Female will challenge a female to get a mate and the New Female is usually stronger due to age and can be more aggressive however, the older female has learned life lessons on how to protect and fight being more experienced. We can not predict nature or how it plays out. What we do know from watching Live Cams example an Eagle Nest the old mate would and could and might try to destroy any eggs in nest since they are not hers so that the New Female will leave.
      Or the old female may just continue to attack hoping that they will just abandon the eggs due to attacks.
      Betsy and June C both have sent me their pics of attacks and if you look at Betsy’s pics she said she posted you can clearly see Our Gracie!

      Sheli our Admin here is very experienced in Eagles and Ospreys she takes care of a lot of them and has lots of knowledge. Just FYI
      I just wanted to post my observations myself and that is Gracie no doubt in my mind. You can form your own conclusion. This is not wishful thinking at all this is terrible news for all of us.
      I do not even know the new Female but love all birds and nature and do not wish any harm to any. I am sadden by the fact no matter who it is and I say Gracie is attacking the New Female who is incubating her eggs and attacking George. I truly would be devastated to know if the eggs get destroyed by an attack for the First Time New Female how I feel she will grieve. I want her fist experience at being a mom to be a good one just like you all. And I want George to do what George loves to do take care of his family that includes his new lady.

      I was very worried something like this would come about and now it has so I can only say to you all there is a lot to learn if you have never seen this before. I will not be watching this Season as I said before but truly hope Gracie stops coming around I do not want her getting killed and I already seen pictures of her with bloody wounds. This is breaking my heart hurts for her. Gracie is doing what is instinctive for her to do to get back her nest. The New Female and George are doing what is instinctive to do to incubate the eggs and protect the Nest.

      I would just love to see our Gracie come back next Season but we don’t get to write the story do we.
      So I close with this I really miss all of you and miss my George & Gracie no doubt. Most of all I am heartbroken for the Osprey New Female at this time for these are her babies.
      I really hope New Female and George can raise their babies to fledged and I hope Gracie will return next Season to be with our George. Absolutely I hope Gracie does not get so injured or even dies from attacks.
      Take Care and know I am thinking of our Osprey Family even if I am not watching. I am sending lots of prayers for all to work out in the end.
      Until we talk again

      • SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 11:13 am - Reply

        Rjoneal – Sharing your head and heart here with such raw honesty was absolutely beautiful and it brought me to tears. I suspected it was Gracie too but due being just a “lurker” in the past and not an active part of this chat community, I had fear in stating my thoughts as facts… So I shared both videos that I made and pictures that I took – I am DLionheart in YouTube. I agree with absolutely everything that you posted here and I was also sad due your pain comes across loud and clear. I send you a spiritual hug across the internet – from me to you, another lover of all creatures. Blessings to you and yours – and yes indeed, I have also been praying that each osprey in this battle survives it all – no matter who is who. ♥

        • Rjoneal June 6, 2018 at 12:27 pm - Reply

          SmokeyMtnCreatureFan- Yes it was your video that I first saw. Thank you for you kind words and knowing from your experience and the fact that I have seen and witnessed this before example the Ozzie & Harriet Eagle Nest here in Florida which is now M15 and Harriet. Ozzie (RIP) may be in Eagle Heaven taking care of all the baby eaglets that did not survive for he was such a wonderful dad. It is nature and I can handle nature but suspected drama would occur and after being so attached from the beginning I really did think it was perfect time for me to leave and let George and New Female start their new book. My love for Gracie is overwhelming even to me she is just an Osprey but you cant tell the heart that. I feel what I feel for her she just filled up my sole and made a special place within me. I have Ospreys in my own back yard that I love to watch and see in person but no one can hold that bond with me like Gracie did. I felt the same way with Ozzie just knowing him for so many years and going through all his rehabs and taking back his nest then losing it again it is such a learning experience and I am sure it happens so much more than we even see. I am so very worried for the eggs and New Female along with George and who I call Gracie.
          We have to stay positive and learn from all experiences. You do not know what good times are if you do not have bad times to know the difference. There has to be a balance in Nature so just like with humans not all can survive and we do not always get to know why, it is just what it is.
          Wishing it all comes to an end soon for all.
          Thanks again for feeling my sorrow over all the Ospreys involved.
          Take care

          • nfc June 6, 2018 at 2:34 pm - Reply

            Rjoneal— I started watching Harriet and M 15 their first year. All the previous followers of Ozzie still mention him. So I can understand what you say and are feeling. We have to hope for a positive outcome here and just watch nature. Take care!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • nfc June 6, 2018 at 11:37 am - Reply

        Rjoneal— thank you for your kind words. It is good that you came today to give us some perspective on the crazy happenings. I miss your comments , but understand why you are staying away. I want a happy ending like everyone else. I don’t want to see any animal getting hurt because of territory wars. That being said, this is nature. We are getting a window into their world. It has always been like this, we just haven’t seen it. There is no way to say—-this is what I would like to see. We can just watch and hope things go well for these great creatures. I cant stop watching because this is where it all started for me. I am going to keep watching and hoping for a good outcome. Take care.

        • Rjoneal June 6, 2018 at 12:42 pm - Reply

          NFC I have missed you and the Followers so glad you are watching and observing. This is a learning experience no matter what happens. I have beautiful ospreys right here in my back yard along with all my other creatures that I have been enjoying. I even started posting some videos of them on You-tube if you want to take a look it is under Osprey Momma
          Here is a picture from 2016 Our Gracie. Hoping and sending positive vibes out to you all hang in there life is a beautiful thing.
          Miss you Take Care NFC

      • Pattie Hoolie June 6, 2018 at 1:43 pm - Reply

        Thank you Rj

      • Bobbie June 7, 2018 at 9:44 pm - Reply

        Rjoneal – I’ve been wondering where you’ve been this season. I seldom post, but for the last 3 years I’ve followed Osprey Zone and always looked forward to & enjoyed your descriptions and pictures. I too am so disappointed that George & Gracie are no longer together and can take only some small solace that at least we now know Gracie is alive. I will be very surprised if any of the 3 eggs that George & “Jane” are incubating are viable but will continue to check in on them. Hope you do the same.

    54. Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 10:36 am - Reply

      Good morning everyone. I apologize for not being around much the last several days as I’ve had some extensive dental work done and have not been well, but I wanted to take a moment to address the “Gracie” situation.

      We have learned through the years from biologists that Osprey are more bonded to a particular nest sight then they are to each other.
      So it is not uncommon for these intruder battles to ensue. The OZ nest is prime real estate and many osprey would love to claim it as their own, not just a previous resident – any and all fit osprey will attempt a nest takeover.

      Nature ensures the survival of each species by allowing the older/weaker to be put aside and the younger/stronger to carry on the gene pool.

      Unfortunately I do not know if this intruder is Gracie or not, but what I do know is none of us are experts and without an ID band there is no way to be 100% positive, so we can only guess.

      We value each and every one of your opinions and want you to be able to express it without confrontation – but PLEASE do it in a kind fashion.
      Be kind in all your words, written thoughts and observations.

      I want this group to be a fun, safe place to come and enjoy all things Osprey! So let’s make that happen ok? Plz just allow others to express their thoughts and opinions even when it differs from your own. Anyone that can not do that will be banned from the group.

      Thanks guys! And have a great day ♥️

      • SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 11:05 am - Reply

        ~Good morning Shelli. ‘Loved everything that you wrote here. Thank you and Bravo! =)

      • nfc June 6, 2018 at 11:42 am - Reply

        Shelli— thanks for your words. Hope you are feeling better. This has been a crazy season for the oz nest. We all are here to learn and enjoy the osprey world. We have to take the good and the bad and be kind to one another in the process. Time will tell what happens. We have to enjoy the ride. Who knew that animals live soap opera lives too.!!!!LOL
        We have a very nice group of people here who care for the ospreys and what happens to them. We have to enjoy our time with them.

      • Deborah Fortin June 6, 2018 at 12:46 pm - Reply

        Thank you so much Shelli for what you wrote. We are all passionate about this nest and George, Her, and the intruder who may be Gracie. We would not be here otherwise, but kindness is the word of the day.

        • Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 1:23 pm - Reply

          Thanks Debbie 💕

        • nfc June 6, 2018 at 2:31 pm - Reply

          Debbie— are you the teacher who did sessions on SWFEC??? I saw them and enjoyed them. I did one as Mrs. Comstock. Glad you are here too. I started here and went to SWFEC. These are my two favorites cams. Very glad that Shelli is here too.

          • Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 2:54 pm - Reply

            Yes, she sure is nfc. I’m not sure Debbie realizes you’re a teacher and I’ve hosted your class session as well.

            • nfc June 6, 2018 at 5:57 pm

              This is the first year I am really posting on this site. I only started posting at the end of last season. I use two names too. I am so glad that you are at both sites. I am hoping to do another classroom session again this year if I can with different children. I started showing the students ospreyzone since it was turned on. There only a few more weeks of school, but I will show them whatever I can in nature. They really have enjoyed watching the eagles. There is more school time to watch eagles. The ospreys are more spring and summer. Learning today is so different than when we grew up. We are learning too by watching all these live cams. We see both the good and the bad. It is nature. hoping for a good year here.

            • Admin Shelli June 6, 2018 at 6:28 pm

              Well I’m glad to see u posting more this season and I hope your class enjoys seeing the Osprey!
              And I look forward to working with u again next season at SWFEC.

          • Deborah Fortin June 6, 2018 at 6:57 pm - Reply

            As Shelli said, yes I am that same Debbie. I too started here and went to SWFEC when M15 and Harriet had E7 & 8. That was the season of my first chats. Hoping to have another set of sessions this year with a new class. Nice to meet you here. Glad Shelli is here as well.

    55. Betsy June 6, 2018 at 9:54 am - Reply

      Multiple fights this am. Poor Gracie is getting shredded (pic of Gracie on nest this am)

    56. June c June 6, 2018 at 9:38 am - Reply

      Picture George injury last night around 6:35

      • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 9:55 am - Reply

        June C: That’s Gracie.

      • SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 6, 2018 at 10:51 am - Reply

        Hi June – That is not an injury on George – that is on the intruder. How can I be sure? Because I watched extensively yesterday, took tons of pics and made videos. That injury is indeed on sustained by the persistent intruder. ‘Sad to see any creature injured. ♥

    57. June c June 6, 2018 at 9:35 am - Reply

      Our lady went full force after intruder this AM 9:02

      • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 10:00 am - Reply

        June c: That “intruder” is Gracie.

        • June c June 6, 2018 at 10:25 am - Reply

          i am 95% it is Gracie…

        • June c June 6, 2018 at 3:53 pm - Reply

          Just to add ..even if it is our beloved Gracie..she is now an intruder..

          • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 4:36 pm - Reply

            June c: I think I’ll call her an uninvited guest!! 😀

      • Meli June 6, 2018 at 1:09 pm - Reply

        That heart shape tattoo under right wing… looks lik Gracies’s. Hoping and praying all will be ok for all. <3

    58. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 9:35 am - Reply

      Another attack

    59. Trinity June 6, 2018 at 9:24 am - Reply

      First I’d like to thank all those who posted yesterday about the intruder drama / battles. If it is Gracie, I’m so torn between being relieved she’s ok, and wanting her to just accept George wanted a divorce and moving on. I hope she doesn’t become a bunny boiler !

      • CarolV June 6, 2018 at 7:14 pm - Reply

        That would be an egg boiler………..ok…grim humor but that’s how I deal with stress, too.

        Since we will never know how all this came about, I can only hope some kind of truce is reached because this season has been stressful enough.

    60. CarolV June 6, 2018 at 9:03 am - Reply

      If that is Gracie, that is heartbreaking!!! To be deprived of her neat….. and I don’t think she will let up till something horrible happens…….
      And the new female is coming along so well
      I wonder if George would fight her so aggressively?
      Just hope for a settlement……
      How about a polygamist relationship?

      • Isabella June 6, 2018 at 10:10 am - Reply

        Happened to catch this live. Was wondering if intruder was Gracie,why George would fight her? You would think they are more bonded. It was happening so fast. My husband kept asking,me to identify them. I’m like, they’re all ospreys and they don’t wear name tags! Surprised they left eggs unguarded so much. You would think one would guard them while the other fought off intruders! Believe at one point intruder landed right on the eggs. Hope they didn’t crack any!

      • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 10:16 am - Reply

        CarolV: George has a vested interest in the eggs, his instinct is to protect the nest, protect his mate, and protect the eggs in the nest; he will fight off whoever he thinks of as an intruder — be it Gracie or any other osprey who is not part of his life right now.

      • Trinity June 6, 2018 at 10:58 am - Reply

        Polygamist relationship ?!! I cannot stop laughing, thanks Carol ! George and his nest are certainly a hot commodity.

    61. June c June 6, 2018 at 8:30 am - Reply

      Around 6:30 last night there where many Ospreys around nest…George n new wife was chasing them for a long time…one did a dive bomb from perch another direct hit ar nest.
      When George came back he was wounded…Thank you Rodee for heads up on this…

    62. Paula June 6, 2018 at 8:13 am - Reply

      Hi All,

      I have watched the intruder videos over and over and I really think that’s Gracie! I’m just really confused that George would attack her! I can understand the New Girl attacking Gracie but I’m surprised that George would. I’m off to do some research.

      • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 9:57 am - Reply

        Paula: George has a vested interest in the eggs, his instinct is to protect them no matter who the “intruder” is.

    63. Betsy June 6, 2018 at 7:40 am - Reply

      I think there’s a troll on the OZ FB site!! This person continues to argue that it isn’t Gracie who was in the battle yesterday afternoon!!

    64. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 6:22 am - Reply

      Intruder early morning June 06

    65. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 6:16 am - Reply

      Beautiful couple.

    66. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 6:15 am - Reply

      Again

    67. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 6:14 am - Reply

      June 06 Early morning again

    68. Leanne June 6, 2018 at 6:13 am - Reply

      Another beautiful morning.

    69. BirdRJSviewer June 6, 2018 at 5:31 am - Reply

      Hello everyone back again for the 2018 season. I’ve watched since the first season. Aww sad to hear Gracie is not with us.

    70. Betsy June 5, 2018 at 11:39 pm - Reply

      I’m shocked, disappointed, and appalled that people who have watched OZ for 3 years, and claim that they loved Gracie and are so sad that she didn’t come back this year, cannot identify Gracie!!! This was GRACIE the new female and George were chasing from the nest.

      • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 6:31 am - Reply

        Look, people, use your eyes! The “intruder” was Gracie!!

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 6:39 am - Reply

          The second set of pictures is of Gracie from 2016 — the 1st on 7/24 and the 2nd on 8/5

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 8:44 am - Reply

          Two more pics from yesterday of Gracie landing on the nest. See her bleeding wound?

          PS – People can not possibly still say that it’s not Gracie!!

      • Redkayak June 6, 2018 at 10:01 am - Reply

        I’ve watched this nest from the very start and I’ll be honest I’ve always had trouble identifying either one and I’ve relied on others to tell me who was who. But the pics I saw last night on facebook were pretty obvious even to me, that is Gracie

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 10:20 am - Reply

          Redkayak: I appreciate your comment!! The obvious part really made me laugh!

          Unfortunately, there’s no win here, either way the final outcome.

      • GinaM June 6, 2018 at 4:30 pm - Reply

        Betsy, no matter what the circumstances, I am so glad to see that black spot again. I knew Gracie was alive and of course she would fight for her nest. Isn’t Verizon Vic single? Maybe she could shack up with him this year.

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 7:49 pm - Reply

          GinaM: Have to ask CarolV about Verizon Vic!! 😀

    71. Stephanie L June 5, 2018 at 11:30 pm - Reply

      Just looked at some pics/videos of nest drama from earlier today. I truly think it was sweet Gracie! On a hunch, I checked out the 2014 hilites. The first female in the nest wasn’t Gracie. Wondering if our current missy is in fact the fist female.

    72. Leanne June 5, 2018 at 10:37 pm - Reply

      I watched the 2nd video, from the top, posted by SmokeyMtn, and this is what I saw:

    73. SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 5, 2018 at 9:44 pm - Reply
      • Leanne June 5, 2018 at 10:15 pm - Reply

        I’m embarrassed to say that I wouldn’t be able to really recognize Gracie without seeing her black spot. I do think, after rewinding this back a few times, that I did get a quick glimpse of what does look like a black dot. For those of you in the know, do you think its Gracie?

        • Betsy June 6, 2018 at 12:11 am - Reply

          Leanne: I don’t think it is, I KNOW it is!!

          • Leanne June 6, 2018 at 10:24 am - Reply

            I was hoping you’d say that!!

    74. Leanne June 5, 2018 at 9:19 pm - Reply

      Pretty Picture.
      Any possibility that the intruder might be Gracie??

    75. SmokyMtnCreatureFan June 5, 2018 at 9:06 pm - Reply
      • Leanne June 5, 2018 at 10:30 pm - Reply

        Gracies Black Spot??

        • Charlie June 6, 2018 at 7:54 am - Reply

          Yes, I think that’s Gracie and she was also injured. That was some prolonged intruder battle during the five o’clock hour yesterday. The drama!

      • Leanne June 6, 2018 at 9:03 am - Reply

        At one point I counted at least 5 birds in flight and I think one was on the perch!!

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