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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.
IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts
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.
Paul 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.
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
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
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
Juliette (George and Juliette)
Correction 7:51
We’ve had some really good name suggestions! I’ll be putting a contest together in the next week or two.
I’m looking into some options to make it easy to combine the Facebook group and the chat group, so they both can enter and we can have just one contest – everyone plz remember your names and enter them when the time comes.
This should be fun! 😍
Intruder went after female around 5:51 PM. George went after it….
George out…………
Her in……..
Was all excited……………..
intruder was well chased!
…and Her was right back to the eggies…………
I think Her chased the intruder herself……just caught the edge of her feathers as she took off and the chase came seconds later………….the audio/ video are out of sync, making it sound like chirping from the nest after she went………
CarolV..you know you could be right that she went after the intruder..it all was so fast…she was very vocal abt intruder near nest…..
It was fast! And the inconvenient right side blindspot strikes again!
Here are my suggestions for naming the new female ; Daisy or Holly. They symbolize hope, new beginnings, reincarnation.
I was thinking of the name “Luna” for her.
George was so comfortable in the nest that he didn’t move when Her came in….
She took off and it looked like George tracked her every move…………..
Neighbor said hello on the way out
CarolV: I think you’re confusing the song with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ
Mama Mia (ABBA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfzfe8f9NI
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I’m easy come, easy go
A little high, little low
Anyway the wind blows, doesn’t really matter to me, to me
Mama, just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled my trigger, now he’s dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I’ve gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooo
Didn’t mean to make you cry
If I’m not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters
Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine
Body’s aching all the time
Goodbye everybody I’ve got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooo (anyway the wind blows)
I don’t want to die
I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all
I see a little silhouetto of a man
Scaramouch, scaramouch will you do the fandango
Thunderbolt and lightning very very frightening me
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo, Gallileo,
Gallileo Figaro – magnifico
But I’m just a poor boy and nobody loves me
He’s just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come easy go will you let me go
Bismillah! No we will not let you go – let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go – let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go let me go
Will not let you go let me go (never)
Never let you go let me go
Never let me go ooo
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me
For me
For me
So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Oh baby, can’t do this to me baby
Just gotta get out just gotta get right outta here
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Nothing really matters
Anyone can see
Nothing really matters nothing really matters to me
Anyway the wind blows
Mamma Mia (ABBA)
I been cheated by you since you know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don’t know how but I suddenly lose control
There’s a fire within my soul
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I’ve missed you?
Yes, I’ve been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go
I’ve been angry and sad about things that you do
I can’t count all the times that I’ve told you “we’re through”
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won’t be away too long
You know that I’m not that strong
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I’ve missed you?
Yes, I’ve been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, even if I say
“Bye bye, leave me now or never”
Mamma mia, it’s a game we play
“Bye bye” doesn’t mean forever
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My my, just how much I’ve missed you?
Yes, I’ve been brokenhearted
Blue since the day we parted
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know
My my, I could never let you go
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
I think I’m getting punchy!! Now we’ll all have BOTH songs in our heads!!
SORRY Rodee!!
Betsy– I was singing the mama mia lyrics from Rhapsody without even thinking ofname…….. I’m not even sure I know that other song..will have to look up for music to see how it sounds…………
Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me
For me
For me
But thanks for the research,,,,,,,,
And that cleared up the line about the devil for me! Been singing it wrong for (mumblemumble) years!
1. Sleepy George
2. Sleepy girl
3. Funny face
4. George flying off after rendezvous 😉
CarolV: Re: “WHO DAT??!!!????” I think it was George swooping by after an intruder. E/J/J/H was watching something off to our right and then behind us overhead (hee hee) (Pic 2 – the face!). Meanwhile someone flew from R to L, coming into view on the L lower side of nest (Pic 1), which I think may have been George, who then, it seems to me, swooped around out of view on our L to fly by (Pic 3) and turned again out of view on our R and flew up (Pic 4) chasing, I believe an intruder (Pic 5). The End.
s/b something off to our LEFT!!
George egg sitting now. Can’t wait for name contest.lots of good ones to choose from!
So George got a younger girlie, huh? She’s pretty! Glad we didn’t miss much of anything, but sad that Gracie’s gone. I’ll be watching, with the rest of you!! In the meantime, the nest on Rt. 105 & Flanders Rd. in Riverhead has been rebuilt & quite majestic. It didn’t take long at all!
I really appreciate all you friend-bloggers who write SHORT and PRECISE posts.
Missing our Gracie but falling in love with our new lady. She’s trying so hard now. How about George and Harriet?
I just LOVE the new lady. She is so cute trying to learn to be a mom and a good wife. And I see a lot of improvements from day to day… she now seems to stay longer on the eggs, and is covering the eggs with her body. Before she was just standing in the nest with her wings hanging low. She is probably learning from George a lot of skills and she is trying her best. I am sure all will grow to love her as much as we loved Gracie. She is just another chapter of this amazing life. She is a beginner and I am sure her skills will improve with time. I am watching her and George every day same as I was watching G&G.
I agree! I am amazed at the rate Her is learning! I wonder if it’s by watching G or if hormones are prompting instinct “memories”………..
Each time I watch it’s like a new behavior has been acquired. It’s fascinating!
And I’m glad she is so different from Gracie in coloring. Gracie was beautiful in her simplicity, with the identifying dot under her wing,,,,,,,,,, I think we will be less prone to comparison and that’s a good thing.As you say, a new chapter
Might be instict, might be George or both…. I can’t stop being amazed by how they just know what to do…. and yes, her coloring is very different. It’s a lot easier also to tell her appart from Georgy as well.
I completely agree, she’s most likely new to this ‘ mom ‘ role and learning on the job. It is interesting to watch her daily progress and the interactions with George.
Hi Carol luv the name juno it fits i think it’s perfect she needs a name and juno is my vote
Thanks, Mike r……..I think Admin will set up an official vote like we had for chick naming last year. So many good names have been suggested. Shows how invested we are already!! Can’t wait!
Yes, Carol I sure will. I’ll put some info together and announce it shortly.
Every time I check in,someone is on the eggs.yea! Feel like we’re all egg sitting! Lol. Mama Mia,stay on those eggs!
I still miss Gracie, but this one is growing on me!
As for a name, how about Mildred?
E/J/J/H was sitting on the eggs. She got up to warn away an intruder, turning around as she tracked it. The wind caught her and twirled her around!
Wind blown
Her seems to have trouble with that wind! I saw her do a beak plant, yesterday I think…………….. has she been living in a very calm climate down south? One more thing to learn!
WHO DAT??!!!????
zooming flyby………
Yes Isabella you are right. Not much television being watched as this is much more interesting.Hope all works out well for George and his lovely new lady although we will never forget dear Gracie.
I miss Gracie,too. We all felt so attached to her. Sigh. Naming suggestion for the new woman in George’s life – Giselle??
Asfar as name suggestions, I was thinking as I’ve been calling the female Hera, I would go to HERA- Greek queen of the gods…..goddess , among other titles, of the sly and starry heavens. But when I looked it up, she turns out to be a jealous and vindictive goddess– not so admirable. Then, I read that the Roman name for the same goddess is Juno and she’s a kinder, gentler version. And I like the combo of George and Juno.
So JUNO is my suggestion
Now CarolV you know i am really liking JUNO HA
Thanks, June c………… looking forward to official name so I can stop using Her!
that would be goddess of the SKY-not sly………..
CarolV: I was wondering!!
Must remember to proofread…..wayward fingers!
Still sitting on the eggs! As everyone else,keep checking in to see . Feel like we’re all egg Sitting! Mama Mia! Keep sitting on those eggs!!
Just so you know…..I am now stuck singing Mama Mia…………….
Great..now …Now i have it in my head…Ha
mama mia MAMA MIA…………let me go, let me; LET ME GO let me GO,,,,,
George wrestled this stick until he got it where it should be…………………….
Her watching in admiration……………….
Busy, busy, busy George. He was trying to position a long stick, but the far end was weighted under another stick, so every time he let it go, the stick sprang back from where he was trying to move it!! Finally, it stayed in position! Then out for some grasses. Then time to egg-sit again.
Okay, my laptop or something is acting wonky!! After I hit “post comment” for my post above and the page reloaded with the comment awaiting moderation, I noticed the top picture of my post and I thought somehow I posted a wrong picture!! Then, when I clicked on the “wrong” picture to open it, it opened with the correct picture!! I guess it’s time to clear the cache!!
The top picture in the wonky post comment picture, btw, is George and Gracie from last year and I had saved it to my pictures folder on May 10, 2018 and then posted it on OZ on May 10, 2018 (http://ospreyzone.com/comment-page-142/#comment-35387).
Okay, so the most recent posts are up and I see that the wrong picture posted after all, but I don’t think it’s on my end, I think it’s on OZ’s end!! Here is the correct picture:
Bit of comedy: George having his turn sitting on the eggs when he started alarming. Effie/Jane/Jewel/Her landed on the edge of the nest to help. As George started to get up E/J/J/H leapt forward, bowling over George and knocking him flat and then ended up standing on his back. He finally got up and flew off after the intruder.
Hey, George, how does it feel having someone standing on YOUR back???????
CarolV: Good one!!
Too funny! Love fourth pic! George looks like he’s saying, “ are you kidding me!
Isabella: 😀
George made another attempt……………..
Her complaining……..haven’t seen a fish this a.m……………..guess not fishing weather!
I thought G was on perch answering till I realized audio is out of sync
Sadder than a wet osprey?
Was about to post earlier when internet/cable went down.
Her checking us out this a.m.
George attempting to start the day with a bang………………..
something was bothering Her………..
about 5:47, she flew out and was gone till 7:20…..eggs were left alone
Cooling temps fogging the lens…………..@8:21. George flew in buffeted by the wind……
a wind blown George checked in a couple of times, as if looking to do egg time, but Her stayed on eggs
The rain—and Her— settle in.
The morning started with thunder early. My cat, Steve, growls at it, before heading to his hiding spot……too funny!
Forecast for the day is steady rain till mid afternoon, with spotty showers in to the evening. Temp 56 now, after that lovely 80+ yesterday
~Hello all – Happy Sunday to you all. The weather there in LONG Island lead me to hear this song in me head: 10,000 Maniacs – “Like The Weather”, lol. Hang in there George and new mate – ‘gonna be “a cold and dull, rainy day” (from that song.) In checking weather there, it appears 100% rain, temps around 60 during day, dropping to around 50 at night. Brrr.
1 – Yes, as it was pointed out – I made a human faux pas re this nest location. Yes it is LONG Island, not RHODE Island. Ever have a brain cramp? Ever read something too fast and miss something important? Ever type while mind wanders elsewhere? Lol. Yes, well we all know that I sure have! I’ve done it before, did it in here, and I feel quite sure that I am destined to do it again somewhere! XD
2 – A couple of you said that you liked my pix, one of you enjoyed the dialogue posted on them – thank you very much for that. ‘Sure was fun taking them, editing them and playing with caption ideas. I enjoy everyone else’s pix here as well!
3 – A couple of you liked my name suggestion for the new female – “Jewel” – thanks for the kudos. Naming contest sounds fab!
4 – One of you posted under a pic of mine re IF she has another egg…. Right. ALL my captions left the door open to the possibility of nay or yay re a third egg. If she is a young, first time mother, she MAY only lay two… So yes, another one may come today, tomorrow or Tues, IF there is to be another one… IF there is, chances are higher that it will be tomorrow.
5 – Re this IS George – one of you stated that yes, this is 100% George – happy for OZ and all you “regulars” here that yes, this is George… Prayers for Gracie, all ways and always. ♥
6 – Betsy mentioned George’s love of eggiesitting – yes I’ve seen that with other male ospreys as well. It’s funny to watch some of these males and what they will do to get some egg time! Lol. I’ve seen shoving, dropping sticks on the female, landing on the female and tempting them with a nice fishy treat. XD So my comment re the female doing most of the eggsitting is not to say that males don’t enjoy doing it as well, bec yes, we’ve seen that they do! XD
~Here’s to hope and blessings that one or two of these eggs at least survive to go on to hatch! If so, there ought be some new wittle Wee Ones at the very end of June, most likely early July. Hope it’s a safe and okay day for these osprey, despite the wind, rain and not so warm temps… I want to give them some warm rain gear! XD Oh wait, they have it already – their awesome feathers! But still…. Lol. ‘Hope it’s a good day today – for everyone out there. =)♥
P.S. Here is a pic that I took yesterday at another osprey nest. ‘Got lucky with this pic, love it SO much and when the caption idea popped into me head? I laughed myself! ‘Hope it tickles you as well! Previews of coming attractions here? Maybe!! =D
Ospreys do not automatically lay eggs…This is from the Scottish Wildlife Trust….
Interesting…….thanks for the info!
Very interesting, thank you.
June c: I meant to comment earlier. Good information!!
Hi Everyone…. Have been watching early this morning…. Eggs have been left unattende for a while now…Hope they’re o.k. It’s a rainny day today here on Long Island….. Miss Gracie…. I no life goes on…. But still so sad….
Still there! Almost 4am!
Um, what has happened to our beautiful Gracie, if I may ask.😪 This is my first time on for the season😍
Lynn, we just don’t know. The new female was on the nest when the cam was turned on (which was just last Thursday).
I am worried when she is standing that she might step on eggs and break them.
Still sitting on the eggs! Maybe she knows the second one is a “good egg “!
May 29th
Full Flower Moon
10:20 am
Full Flower Moon – May In most areas, flowers are abundant everywhere during this time. Thus, the name of this Moon. Other names include the Full Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon……………………….. compliments of Farmers’ Almanac
About 8:45- George stepped out………..
TA DA!!!! Her’s back!!!!!
and settles in!
holding breath to see if she stays the night……..pretty dark already……………we’re close to a full moon so should be able to see.
well…………………………………………………. still learning………..
Her saw George coming in………she stood and chirped to greet him……
Dinner to go! Yum! George takes over
If she is staying she needs a name….don’t like calling her “HER”. Very impersonal. If Gracie had a name then so should this new mate. Please consider asking OZ patrons.
Admin Shelli already announced there will be a naming contest. Only using Her until she gets one
Kathy Bookie:
Here’s a good name:
Effie – Anglicized form of Oighrig, which means “new speckled one” in Scottish Gaelic
https://www.behindthename.com/name/effie-2
https://www.behindthename.com/name/oighrig
That’s a cool name…love the meaning too
Admin Shelli: After I saw Kathy’s post I googled for names meaning “second one,” and all these names meaning “new” were showing up including Oighrig – pronounced oy-rik, but with Gaelic words being spelled one way and pronounced another (at least to me; must not have gotten too much of the Scottish blood as it went down the line!!) I was glad to find the Anglicized version!!
Lol very cool, thanks for sharing
Then there’s:
Navashree – the new or fresh lady
Aleana – immigrant to a New Home
Kiah – a new beginning
Nairuthi – the rise of the new era
Novia – new comer to the family
Like Kiah
Betsy, That is good or someone said Jane I think maybe in reference to George & Jane Jetson? 🙂
Or George and Jane,from Tarzan?
When they first met. Me George,you Jane! Lol
I like Jewel, as someone else posted,with that magnificent necklace or Veridian for the beautiful color of the water behind her. Veridian Jewel would be beautiful as a name.
Ok. I know I had suggestions in my previous post but what about Jewels rather than Jewel. Jewels for the neclace…more than one gem or jewel as there are many.
That’s a pretty name too
Had to share this story…I was watching the nest activities with my grandson today….watching the new mom…and she
seemed to be forever fixing the nest and did not seem inclined to sit on the eggs…I was getting upset…My grandson says
“she is on television now, she has to make sure the house is clean for company like you and my mom do”…I couldn’t argue!!!
TOO cute!
Hello everyone and Happy Memorial Day…I hope you all have a very fun and safe holiday weekend.
Also, since we are back streaming live I’d like to remind you to please keep the focus of our chat group on the osprey and this nest.
Of course feel free to share any educational wildlife material as well.
Thanks guys! You rock! 😍
It’s good to see Her on the eggs! Scrolling back, I see she was consistent this afternoon, with George spelling her.
Earlier, Her was stepping on the eggs. She was doing some talon curling, so she is seemingly learning………..fascinating to watch as she learns!
George brought in some grasses to soften up the log cabin………………….then Her went out and George took over
After being out about 25 mins. Her came back…George saw her coming and flew out………….
Her’s learning!!! A simple chest push…………..
…and the hook beak to snuggle in!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s see how long she stays on nest………..
……………………………………………………….THANK A VET TODAY!!!!………………………………………………………….
Hello all! This may not be the place to post this, but, I wanted to update you all on my family’s trials and tribulations. I had posted about my uncle being found dead in his home on May 5th. He wasn’t married and had no children. My 86-year-old mother is his only sibling. I have been sporadically reading comments and was scanning through today’s comments, noting the discussion about a previous comment. We have been going through hell trying to get my uncle’s possessions out of the house. Back in 2013 a contractor bought the house giving my uncle a life estate, meaning he could stay there until his death (written, that looks funny, because who would wand a dead body hanging around! Sorry, morbid sense of humor!). Anyway, my uncle was a true hoarder, who beats even the people shown on the show “Hoarders.” We have been battling with the contractor, who gave us until yesterday to clear out the house, yesterday being an extension on the previous date we were originally given of May 20th. We’ve been working our tails off trying to go over and sort out the things to find pictures and important historical family documents, we being mostly my mother and me, my sister on 2 occasions, my brother on 2 occasions (a Godsend with the carrying and lifting and loading the PODS container), and my niece on one occasion. Everything is literally hodge-podge in that house, with old things mixed with new, as if someone threw everything up in the air and then stuffed it all into boxes and bags and in piles, so we couldn’t even just grab a handful of what looked like relatively recent mail (if you consider the early 2000’s relatively recent) and toss it out or throw out a bag that looked as if it was only filled with hundreds of empty bags, only to discover at the bottom were pictures from long, long ago. We’ve had College Hunks for Hauling Junk come 3 days, anywhere from 3 guys to 6 guys coming on each day. And still, we haven’t gotten to everything!! And, this contractor won’t bend an inch, in allowing us a few more days. His claim is that he doesn’t want to pay the property taxes on a vacant house; however, after I did some sleuthing, I found that the property valuation for taxes where my uncle lived were set on July 1, 2017 and May 22, 2018 was the grievance date and a demolition permit takes 3 weeks to obtain; meaning even if we weren’t clearing out the house, there was no way the contractor could have even gotten the demolition permit in time, much less knocked down the house, to grieve the taxes!!
Well, anyway, mixed in among the chaos was this picture from 1903 of my great grandfather.
Pictures of the “clutter” and the mud, broken concrete mixed with broken brick and granite, and then mud again that we had to walk through to get to the house
Sounds like a never ending story! Hope you are finally done. Who needs to deal with such a miserable person when you are dealing with grief?
And Gracie not being here is definitely upsetting. But as you know, life goes on beyond our loses. This female is a true learning experience as she seems very new at her job and we can see her improving everyday. The fact that there are even eggs in the nest is a shock at the (probably) tail end of the egg laying season.
No one knows how this is going to pan out. Hopefully we can come to love this young female. No one will replace Gracie. We will just start anew.
Take care, Betsy……….
CarolV: Thanks CarolV. It’s more like a nightmare that doesn’t end!! LOL But, I’m slowly adjusting to TOWIG (the one who isn’t Gracie!!) LOL
And, then, looking forward with so much anticipation to seeing George and Gracie back at the nest, to be my respite, only to discover when the camera came back online that George (yes, SmokyMtnCreatureFan, it 100% is George) but not Gracie made it back was like the final blow for me, a true kick ’em when their down moment for me. What can I say?
It was red and blue!! LOL
http://www.uniformology.com/RUHL-11.html
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and wonderful Memorial Day Holiday. If anyone plans to comes to Southwest Florida, bring boots, raincoat, and maybe a boat to get around. We are about to get a tropical system with lots of rain. I guess we have to think “Wet” this weekend with indoor activities. Our ospreys here may be enjoying the wet weather, with probably lots of fish on board.
Well, well – good for her – on the eggs still. =) Here are the last two pix that I took this morning.
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if she is having a 3rd..Tues will see…..
Wow, she FINALLY returns. They hang out together for a few…. the off goes George… let’s see if she stays and incubates…
More pix from this morn’:
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cute pics….George’s reaction is priceless!
Gosh, if I am correct, again via looking back in live feed, it’s been about two and a half hours since the female took off. I also looked up Rhode Island temps right now = a whopping 91 degrees! So no wonder he is panting… He needs go take a dip, lol. At times, his cries seem mournful as if he is asking her to return… USUALLY, in my experience, the mother does the bulk of eggsitting and the fathers do seem to enjoy time on the eggs as well, albeit much less time. They do the hunting and protecting while mother sits on eggs… I think that others are right – this is prob a young female and might be her very first time laying eggs… We don’t know… She needs look into that cam and just tell us her story already!!! XD
~More pix from this morn’:
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Rhode Island ? This nest is located on Long Island on the North Fork.
She is sweet but also seems confused. I really like her although no other Osprey can replace Gracie. I feel like I would love to give this new female some advice. She really seems to be trying.
I think she is very young, inexperienced, and yes, very confused, but learning.
Hi….this nest is on Long Island, NY and temps were in low 80s on the North Fork. A little south of Rhode Island. We are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, which cool us off this time of year.
SmokyMtnCreatureFan: George has always loved sitting on the eggs. Sometimes he was so reluctant to get up that Gracie had to nudge him off. He was so eager in 2016 to get back to sitting on the eggs that he pushed Gracie off the egg cup while she was laying the 3rd egg!! And, he even pulled on her feathers on at least one occasion to get Gracie up so he could have his turn!!
I feel for George here… When looking back in live feed, if correct = looks like she left about two hours ago. The gnats, or black flies, were many. The eggs were only unattended for like two minutes, bec George flew in… He needs a break now – C’mon back here mother bird! XD
~Continuing with pix from this morn’….
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Look at George, such a good eggiesitter, bless his heart. She’s not very maternal it would seem, indicative of young mother perhaps? First time maybe? Ah well, we will see how she comes along, over time….
More pix from this morn’:
‘Pix from this morning continued, posted in chronological order… =)♥
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Howdy everyone and Happy Saturday to you! I took lots of pix this morning, been working on and enjoying some fun with them for a while now… Here they all are, for your enjoyment – hope you like them too! ‘Hope also that everyone is enjoying a good day and to those in The U.S. – I hope you will have a wonderful, safe and splendid holiday weekend! =D
More pix from today….
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The narration really adds to the images 😀
Daddy George sure is enjoying his turn on the eggies. Does the amount of beads on a female’s chest determine her age or whether she is older?
No Elaine, I don’t believe so. I’m not aware of any studies linking chest plumage to age.
~CONGRATULATIONS TO GEORGE AND MISS THANG ON EGGIE NUMBER TWO! =D
~Hello everyone! ‘Twas EGGciting to meander in here today and see two eggs! I do have concerns re those horrid gnats or black flies that we are seeing…. They are in force this year – all over the place. Sadly two eaglets passed on yesterday at the Decorah North nest due these awful gnats they had en masse, in addition to extreme heat. So I will hope for THE best for these eggs – my bet is, there will be another egg forthcoming… We will see! I went back in the live feed to see the glorious moments….
Right before the time to lay Eggie2, George (if that IS George?~) offered some fish to Miss Thang and she wasn’t interested. What he could not know is that she was about to lay another egg! I also enjoyed when he discovered this second egg = beautiful moment indeed!
So yes, I am still over here wondering – IS that George? When I look at videos on YouTube, sometimes it does seem like it is George… Other videos lead me to wonder, maybe it’s not? It’s the markings that lead me to wonder….on the chest, under wings, around the head, etc.. Okay, studied lots of videos at YouTube – leaning towards yes, it’s George, but not 100%. As mentioned before, only you seasoned watchers and cam owners would know for sure as I am simply in and out of this site, haphazardly, certainly not a regular follower. ‘Hope everyone will enjoy a lovely wknd! =)
Surprise! Another egg! Rodee may have picked the right name. Trying not to worry. If anyone watched the tweedle nest on Chesapeake bay (last year).the mom acted very strange. Didn’t think the chick would make it. He/she ended up well,and what a character he was! Go Twee!
Hi Isabella – I too watched “The Tweedles” last season! It was beautiful and some not so at times. Overall, I found it an awesome experience – Twee was a hoot! Did you see when the eel was brought to the nest? Ewww! Lol. And the invasion of the crows, like the old Hitchcock film “The Birds”! And what about the visiting osprey juvie? SO much action over there last season. ‘Ought be hatch time again over there, somewhere around, or slightly before? the 2nd wk in June. I am DLionheart over there btw. =)
Hi dlionheart! Yes the gulls,crows,etc. very entertaining nest. Guess because it’s on a roof other birds can come around. Twee’s playmates. I believe you started a theme,you know your addicted to osprey watching…think I was the only one that responded. My own favorite,thinking my three millennials will fledge! Still waiting!
Heya Isabella – Thanks for responding! I do remember telling you that I found your name beautiful. Isabella is such an elegant, old name with such richness to it. =) And yes, that roof over there is totally awesome – for ALL kinds of endless activity – especially for the wee ones, once big enough to explore outside the nest, prior to fledge. Lol re you waiting for your “three milennials”!! XD Hope you enjoy are enjoying a wonderful wknd.. Raining here..
Geez….this is a surprising year! At work but saw enough to hear about 2 eggies!! Have to wait till lunch to read all comments! WOW!
Wow! 2 eggs. What a nice way to start the day, to see 2 eggies. Is this an older female, or finally the return of Gracie? Looks like nice weather there at the nest. Here in Southwest Florida, we are about to part of a tropical storm. Very overcast right now with drizzle, but the storm activities happen later in the day today, tomorrow, and Monday.
Elaine this is not Gracie unfortunately. We believe it’s a young female.
Video is iffy on my phone but I did get to see Her sitting on eggs! Great!
And on fb I saw a cute shot of George getting his first look!
Btw. 80 here today! Supposed to rain starting tonight through rest of weekend. Must be hot in the nest!
#2 egg in the nest @8:30 am Sat morning. What the heck ? I kinda feel empathy for her but still missing Gracie.
Wow, two eggs now and she is actually trying to incubate? That is wonderful although do we even know if she and George mated? This has been a very interesting nest to watch this year as George’s new lady learns her role. Still miss Gracie though and I am oh so sad.
Camera was so late coming on tis a mystery!!!!
G2 is sitting on the eggs…2nd one laid around 7 am….she stepped on the eggs as she moved around… but hoping she will settle in now that there are 2 eggs… 🙂
Poor Momma looks so hot. Hope all goes well for this young osprey.
Another egg was laid today around 7 am by G2 but she seems not to know what to do and is stepping on the eggs….
She laid another egg
OMG…SHE IS SITTING ON HER EGG…
Hi All.. I have been away from home for most of May.. Before I left, I knew something was terribly different with our feathered friends. As my friend and I walked under the nest( when the horrible spring weather allowed us to) the osprey would take off. In the past, I always called up and said hello to George and Gracie and they would just look down and pay us no mind. This year, they take off before we even got under the nest. Because our spring was so wet, I didn’t walk or hang out in my back yard as much this year. But, when the osprey first returned, I swear I heard Gracie screeching..her call was very distinct! I had taken a couple pictures, but I couldn’t get them to,post on OZ. They were taken with my phone, so not close enough to know if it was our beloved Gracie or not. I do know that I said to my friend 3 weeks ago that something was different with the pair that were living in our nest. I knew there weren’t any eggs, because they were constantly flying off as soon as they saw us coming, something Gracie never did. I’ll be back in a couple of days and will take my walk to see if anything has changed.
What u saw makes sense..Our beloved Gracie never made it back…I think he waited for her then took on new female…
2nd egg around 7:!!….I think this egg is bigger….poor thing..she getting better…ALMOST sitting on egg….
Another surprise. Let’s hope she is able to be serious about this now with two eggs. Right around 7:11 by the screen clock. Very exciting.
TOWIG layed a 2nd egg
@17:27. George brought in a fish and Her took it to go. George took his spot on the eggy.
@18:49 Her came back. G stayed put till she started rearranging the décor………..
After he left, she went out again. It looked like she dove to water.
George came back in and settled down…………..When Her came back@19:10, George looked really comfy……………..
Her looked for a minute then took the elevator to the second floor
Awwwww–she came back to keep him company…………..
George went out about 8pm. Her stood around for 5 mins. then flew out. George came back about 8:10 and is still there @ 8:36
Great snaps of the new couple, and lovely commentary as usual !
LOOK-LOOK-LOOK!!! Her’s getting closer!!!! So cute!
George was on the nest earlier and Her was upstairs. He was brooding for a while and stood up. They were chatting back and forth. Maybe, just MAYBE, he was explaining the process????
This is an awesome article on egg coloration:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/the-beauty-and-biology-of-egg-color/
That was a really nice article. Thank you for sharing !
You’re welcome and I’m glad u enjoyed it Nancy
thanks for sharing this Shelli – the coloring of the egg on this nest is very interesting – lots of brown in the mix
You’re welcome Robin
That is a great article – very interesting! Thanks, Shelli!
You’re welcome ChrisH, glad u enjoyed it.
I call the new female “Surprise”, because that is what she is. Rodee
Good one!
Surprise! She laid another egg. Rodee u may have picked the right name!
Is there a crack in the egg? It looks like there is a triangle piece that is showing the egg’s inner membrane.
I miss Gracie too. But I don’t hate this new girl. She is doing her best and if she is good enough for George, she is more than good enough to me.
I am routing for Dottie.
Gina, I’ll have a look but Osprey eggs can be very deceiving lol
Gina I took a look and I don’t see a crack. Perhaps that was just some nesting material stuck to the egg.
AMIN SHELLI– hate to be picky but the clock is running about 6-7mins. slow. Could it be corrected without upsetting the fickle stream? {;8))
I can check with Aidan 😊
Carol Aidan is resetting the time, but this will be an ongoing issue and he doesn’t know why. If it gets too behind again just let me know.
I went back for some family portraits……….2015..I didn’t know how to do screenshots on my old computer so I just watched “Highlights of June 19. 2015” video from the above selection.
G&G with their first brood, including PeeWee before he/she passed
2016-July 25— G&G with the amazing 3some. who all fledged……..
2017- July 25—– G&G with their dynamic duo and the ever loved Eggbert
So glad to see the cam is back, but very sad about Gracie. I will keep looking in to see what develops this season.
12:08…. George sitting on the egg………..snoozing…… dreaming about Gracie?………….. when Her came in and startled him awake…
almost as if he didn’t recognize Her at first………….
Her caught a little wind in her sails and did a beak plant…………..
…………..and earned some wonky feathers…….
Sorry….wrong pic….this is Her and the wonky feathers………….
You got a double dose of G and his toaster oven………….
George had a busy morning, too. Was in and out and spent a good bit of time on the eggy…..Instinct………..good example for the wifey……
Also did his share of guarding…..
Showing us his brood patch….his toasty pocket…….