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osprey 07/11/15 squirt
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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
4:37pm “Time for my close up! What freckle?. OOOPPSS..pardon,,,,.fish scale from lunch”
I saw that too and knew I could use it to tell them a part…until I realized what it was. UGH! 🙂
Dad came to nest short visit…very crowed..4:17
Large fish delivery at 3:19 CST and number 1 is right in front of camera giving us a close-up view. Beautiful 🙂
August 7, 2015 at 4:10
After scrolling through the comments–like reading letters to the editor–and before I rewind the tape, I have to say how beautiful the scene is today. Bucolic. Mother, her two chicks, looking out on an expanse of bay with people in sailboats having a terrific late Friday afternoon.
3:44 This is a grand day indeed chick number two just pushed chick number one out of the way so it can eat it share……………..what a little flying does to the spirit………………..go baby go
At about 3:20 Gracie came back with a fish and began feeding the chick that was in the nest. It had been alone a long time. Had spent a while trying to fly got exhausted and seemed to be afraid to be alone. Was doing a lot of chirping. The comments had confused me as to which chick took off and left the other alone. But when Gracie came with the fish she was feeding the chick then the other one came and she started feeding that one and the chick that had been I the nest backed off from being fed as it always does. So I think it was chick #1 that had been gone long time and #2 was the one left in the nest. I just looked and se is still feeding the one that just flew in and other one is still waiting. Since chick #2 is a few days younger it will definitely be flying by tomorrow from the way it was practicing today.
Just agreed with Rjoneal (3:35 post) on this same issue! I had thought #1 was first out but it seemed like others felt differently.
Carol IV you don’t need to defend your comments we are all just viewing this as one big happy family. Not everyone’s going to agree and that’s OK that’s what we’re here for to have discussions with each other and to experience this beautiful Osprey family that Tommy ,the team and Paul have given us to experience through his live cam, we all just try to keep each other updated on what we see and if we see different things that’s OK . Keep posting your experiences we all learn from each other .
No defense intended.
Whew, chick is back, saw fish Gracie brought home. Chick that was alone didn’t want to eat, worried about brother, and brother is eating no problem. Guess he gets rewarded fore leaving nest first.
Spent much of my vacation watching this wonderful website. Got a great education and appreciation for this wonderful animal. Everyone adopted the chicks and worry about them. They will return to the nest until they can fish for themselves. Thank you for putting this unforgettable experience online for us all to experience.
Gracie brings in big large fish around 3:28 PM baby number two still down in the Nest and poor baby looks so confused keeps looking up at older brother who is on the perch crying but just hasn’t got brave enough to fly down yet
Baby number two continues to get a couple bites from Gracie finally yeah baby one gets courage and brave then flys down to the nest to get his dinner first. Our poor patient baby number two looks so confused wasn’t used to being able to eat first and wasn’t quite sure if here she should do that knowing big brother was up above watching . Baby didn’t want to get in a fight by eating first but there was no one else in the nest. So baby 2 started to eat first until baby one finally flew down. A apron good size fish there’s more than enough for everyone
I got the exact impression! That’s when I knew for sure #1 was the flyer. There seems to be differing opinions of who flew the coop and who isn’t ready. But I felt that interaction settled it for me. Thanks for the post.
Same here! I had no idea which one flew off but the reaction at meal time answered the question for me.
RJOneal – how do you know that one chick was sitting on the perch? I thought he had flown away never to return. I’m glad he came back and will be around for a while before his final departure.
3:30.EST..Gracie (I think) brought big fish and then look who turns up? The wayward child #1. I saw shadow then it came in for food. 🙂
I thought he was gone forever. He probably went to practice his hunting; circled around and realized there was food at his house. So, he came back. That was funny! lol
Anyone know what the “neck wag” is about? Reminds me of a defiant or exasperated teenager! Must be a message of some sort.
The neck movement adjusts their vision..
That neck movement is hysterical! My nephew and I like to say, “Oh, no, you didn’t!!” when they do that. lol
I think it helps them focus and adjust depth perception. Adults do it too.
Thank you for the info….don’t believe I would have ever guessed it was a vision thing…..there’s my biology lesson for the day!
Just after 3:20pmEDT Mom brings in nice fish. I think chick was as happy to see her as the fish. Been out so gotta catch up ck seems lonely.
The practice session @2:00pmEDT is hysterical and adorable! It was like the chick wanted to hold on to something so he could do strength training and kept grabbing liftable objects and was flying despite himself.
Love how our 1st fledgling came back for lunch!
Yes it did come back for lunch, fish is large all should eat well…………………………………………………………………………………goody
Yes it did come back, fish is large all should eat well…………………………………………………………………………………goody one needs a good meal after all that flyng
Bet he worked up appetite! have you noticed that Gracie feeds them right along edge of nest now vs. when they were babies it was more in middle of nest. So happy he made it back!
Gracie brings in a fish at 2:22 CST and I definitely think baby chick is on perch. Much squawking going on.
Chick 1 is currently eating and I think if it was George on perch, Gracie would be guarding the fish but she isn’t.
She was on perch. She just landed for a few nibbles of fish 🙂
3:19 I feel so bad for this BIG CHICK NUMBER ONE she/he is yelling out so loud…….Does not enjoy being alone. It did give it ago early went straight up but short lived……..will improve. Hope they come back to feed her/him……………………………………
oh man. looked back at it looks like (if i figured time zone changes right) that baby #1 flew at about 2:15 EST.
yes big baby flew up short but did it………………
I posted this earlier but here’s some more info on fledging since so many people asked about whether they will come back to the nest or not .
Here’s some info on fledging and fishing techniques. Both female and male move sticks around it is part of them learning how to fish and hunt. You cannot determine the sexes by that behavior.
*********Fledging
At seven to eight weeks of age the young will take their first flight. They spend their days practicing flying and perching near the male’s feeding perch calling when the male returns with food. Two weeks after fledging the young will start to follow the male on hunting trips. Four to eight weeks after fledging the young Osprey will start to emulate their parents and begin to hunt fish on their own.
Fishing technique
Upon spotting a fish near the surface of the water, the Osprey will hover almost directly above and then dive almost vertically towards the fish. At the last moment before impact with the water, the Osprey thrusts its talons forward to snatch the fish. The Osprey is often fully immersed in the water and must struggle to break free of the water and lift the heavy fish into the air. The Osprey’s talons are specially adapted to allow one of its three front toes to bend backwards so that there are two claws pointing forward and two in reverse on each foot. This helps to secure a good grip on a slippery fish. Scrupulous in maintaining its aerodynamic profile, the Osprey adjusts the fish in its grip as soon as it clears the water so that the fish’s head is forward and the tail aft. This fishing technique is quite different from that of the Bald Eagle that swoops almost parallel to the water surface to grip a fish as it passes over. The Eagle does not bother with adjusting the fish to an aerodynamic position.
Thanks for all the information It answered some of my questions about orpreys.
baby number two is alone for about a half hour baby number one flew the coop
Awww, I feel bad for the one little chick sitting all by itself for I think about an hour.
Just wanted to mention the beautiful markings on the developing chicks. Esp. as they lie next to each other in the nest, I see all the lovely V shapes on their feathers. Great camoflague, but also reminds me of how we as kids would draw birds flying in the sky…….all those v’s……..v v v.v …v
It is funny how their backs look like those drawings!!
Want to say to suekue what lovely sentiments you shared. I am teary eyed and proud and happy, too. What a privilege it has been to get this “bird’s eye view” of a family of ospreys!!
Thank you paul and tom and also our fearless rescuers!!!
Thank you Sallyanne, we all have made them our family………..I spend so much time watching them , everyday ALL DAY I will miss them so……………………………like all of you. Let us wish the very best for them.
Thank you Sallyanne
It’s been almost an hour with no sign of baby chick. Gracie came in for a few and then landed on perch so I’m not sure if baby is up there too. I’m actually a little worried right now.
1:50 CST and I think baby may have just done a fly by…off in distance. If it was baby, it was intentional 🙂
Not to worry. Sometimes in the beginning they land somewhere and have to work up the courage to fly back to the nest. I’ve watched them sit for half a day.
Will Gracie look for it and call for it? maybe it will find her by her call?
OK, good. I have never watched a nest before so this is all new to me and what a learning experience I have had and continue to have. It’s such fun yet also nerve wracking. lol
thank you Coleen I will try not to worry sooooo much.
2:55pm So, I guess that’s it. That chick is not coming back. Awww, makes me sad. I thought they would fly off and come back for a while before they definitively left the nest. Is this the way it works? Once they’re gone for a while they don’t come back at all? 🙁
I’m worried also…………………………………………….
3:26 PM Mom/Dad just delivered a big fish. NOT to worry, I HEAR the other baby . . .must be sitting on the tower. All is well.
Friends, have a wonderful weekend!!
3:28 pm est the chick returned and gracie is feeding
4:18 pm est great closeup images of chick looking at reflection in camera
Around 2:20 Eastern – One of the chicks took off and hasn’t returned. Other chick is not happy about this. Gracie returned to nest: Gracie -“Where is your brother?” Chick – “I don’t know ma. I told him to get back in the nest, but he wouldn’t listen.” Gracie – ” You darn kids.” and off she flew
Jara that’s what I was saying when I commented earlier except I added that big brother was on the perch and said you come up here that views better too funny
First chick has left. Second chick tried for like 5 minutes but I think is to scared and nervous. Mother came back to stay the chick for a while and left leaving the second chick by itself until the chick gets enough courage to finally leave. 🙂 What a great experience to be able to watch.
I think our chick is sitting on the camera. Gracie is in the nest with the other chick and I hear noises coming from the camera.
The one on “flying status” takes off & leaves the other guy all alone in the nest. So sad. He needs to be pushed out.
He’ll get there when he’s ready. I think he’s 2 days behind the other one. He was taking flight when he was alone. The old “monkey see, monkey do…” Amazing to watch though!
2:19 Chick number one has taken flight my my she /he did it………Was not going to left alone for long. Great day for OUR chicks………………………………………..
I type very slow and not well that said chick number one take of was very short but grand. That was first time will get better as day moves on.
At 2:25 #2 Wow, what a work out, I’m exhausted!!!!!!!
2:04et chick number one is singing the blues “all alone am I………..” in her/his empty nest………………………………………………..stop eating so much maybe you will be able…to fly.
What a relief that all the hostility and animosity towards the two chicks, resulting from the demise of our little Pip, has faded away. The viewers are nothing but ecstatic today ! ?!
At about 2:00 EST #1 took off. He’s been gone about 15 minutes now. So so amazing! I miss the little guy already.
To Paul and all of our Great Experts and Our Group
I’ve seen the Term Mantleling used in other Osprey Nests Can anyone explain the term any what it is used for and how do the Ospreys Posture
August 7, 2015 at 4:00
With regard to the ospreys, as well as other raptors, mantling is the action of spreading wings, fanning tail, and arching over the prey to protect it from others. Usually accompanied by loud vocalizations. As an illustration, Gracie does this whenever George brings a fish to the nest. Gracie grabs it and she doesn’t stop mantling until she is sure George has left. A raptor will mantle prey to protect it from its sibs
Mantling is what Gracie does after she takes the fish from George and wants him to leave. They lift their wings slightly and lean in over whatever they are protecting. It’s done to show possession. They will also do it to their nest when an intruder is near. It’s the same as if you lifted your elbows and leaned over a prized object to prevent someone from grabbing it.
It’s so funny big brother flew up out of the nest onto the perch were George usually sits and at first little brother was calling out like he was telling on him then after a while big brother little brother are having a nice conversation together. Then it was big brother saying come on chicken come up here and little brother says no you come back down here. Big brother tries to tell him the views much better up here but little brother isn’t about to try that yet. Too funny they keep having conversations back-and-forth to each other.
Around 1:55 p.m., one of the fledglings took off again. It’s so funny, because at first he/she went backward a couple of times before going forward. They really are so cute. He’s been gone about 15 minutes. Feel bad for the one left behind. That one looked like he wanted to try it, too, but is more cautious.
Okay, now I have to worry about where the birds go when they leave the nest. The fledgeling’s been gone nearly 15 minutes. I can hear someone on the perch. George, Gracie, C1?….Maybe we should put GoPro on them so we can watch their adventures. 🙂
Did both chicks fly today? I saw one and what a wonderful sight put a smile on my face all day.
Baby 2 (?) has been gone from nest for a few minutes now and remaining chick looks lonely and is squawking for it to return. When the chick flew off, it took a hunk of nest with it. 🙂
I think I may hear it on perch?
Approx. 1:05 CST
1:55 PM EST. UP, UP, and AWAY. What a sight.
One of our chicks left the nest at 1:56 EST. Has been gone now for about three minutes. Hope he’s coming back!
One of the chicks is flying!!! High above the nest. The other one is watching, seeming to say, “How did you do that?”.
Thanks to those who time stamp their comments. I rewound and saw both chicks practicing their flying skills. It’s so fascinating watching the chicks. They know they have to leave soon. I thought Gracie would be pushing them out but nature and instinct are working internally to get the chicks out of the nest. Love this!! 🙂
It’s so funny the babies kept that big branch right in the middle of each other as if they’re saying you stay on this side of the nest and I’ll stay on this side. It’s a nice windy day for flying. Both babies are just chilling out in the nest
The chick in the CC nest is looking very lonely. It’s sibling took off again and has not been back for awhile. Mom dropped in and left a twig and then took off again.
Ill be raising an osprey chick myself next year for experimental purposes and to domesticate it. I suppose teaching it to fish may present an interesting challenge
Good luck Mitchell! Ospreys make fantastic domestic companions when trained properly, I have owned several. Teaching them to fish is just a matter of monkey-see, monkey-do. I just toss our Big Mouth Billy Bass into the deep end of the pool, and go off the diving board after him while the juvie perches on a nearby raft.
Ok cool sounds good I can’t wait!!
Tucke thanks are Osprey family is so interesting and I learned each Osprey family operates just a little bit different. Over the past two years I have learned so much about many kinds of birds. I live in Florida and we have ospreys all year long and I have 2 nest by my house so it’s great to actually watch the live cams to see what’s really happening in the ospreys nest .
Hi Rjoneal, I live in Pompano Beach, born in Miami when it was and have never seen or known about ospreys. As a kid I would go into the Everglades with my big brother as he caught snakes, but never saw an osprey. Where about in Florida are you? Would drive north next year to see these beauties, maybe even pitch a tent for awhile to watch. Thanks for any help on location.
Just logged on the CC site in time to see one of the chicks take off. Don’t know if it was his first flight or not, but was gone about five minutes and then came back to the nest.
I went to my office, came home and where is our oldest baby!!
Is he on top? I am not ready to see an empty nest yet, Good grief..?
5:37 ET – George brought a flopping head on fish to the nest. No hungry mouths today!
Poor Gracie! So many teens out hotrodding around the neighborhood seems like she’s on constant alarm mode!
Did George bring in a 4th fish? I get so caught up scrolling back that I actually miss the “live” action.
Now I see why they named the helicopter the Osprey 🙂
OMG. Chick has a major flying and landing session right above nest and darn near takes Gracie’s eye out a few times. Very funny to watch. Approx. 10:15 cst
I can’t help but wonder what chick 1 is thinking. Something like “OK, we get it. You flew. Big deal. It’s not like you brought home a fish or something”
I was just watching that. I looked like the chick was having trouble landing. The wind kept pulling it back up I think.
Leanne I was wondering if anybody else notices I must admit I kept scrolling back the tape a couple of times just to see it. Also like you I keep going back and scrolling and watching them flying since right now there only sitting in the nest and enjoying the view I think that was the 4 fish of the day but not positive . I knew I wasn’t going to get any housecleaning done today so I did it all yesterday. Now the real competitions on to see who really does bring in the first fish out of the babies. I’m driving my family crazy with birds in every room I have it on the computer the TV my iPad and I’m keeping my iPhone on so if I hear Gracie or George I don’t miss anything.
Let the games begin babies 1and2 both showing off their flying skills to mom while she sits in the nest holding a fish that no one is interested in. Little brother saying watch me big brother I can do it just as good as you ! I wonder who will bring in the first fish ?
So entertaining! Chick just floating and learning to use his/her wings. Everytime it lets go of a branch, it just floats away till it flaps back down to the nest.
he’s practicing take-offs & landings! Very smart. Like a little helicopter …. straight up & down.
I just love watching & listening to Gracie. She has a personality unlike any other that I’ve seen.
Wow. 3rd fish of the day 🙂 10:06 cst
Thank you! I was out of room and heard arrival. George was there so briefly I kept missing him on rewind! I thought that was a new fish but he was so barely in the frame I thought my eyes were shot!
11:00am EDT Chick two getting frisky. Standing on perch at back of nest practicing. At liftoff one foot grabs on to stick to hold on.
short flight
Lots of flying and hovering over nest. Wish I could tell who’s who!
OMG 1045 moms eating fish mom squirts poop right on baby behind her poor baby now that’s true love
OMG. Number 2 on number 2. What a shot!
Actually think it was 2 on 1. So hard to tell.
Gracie brings in a good sized fish. Number 1 has a few bites but chicks don’t seem very interested so they must still be full. Mom decides to help herself and naturally, as she does, chicks decide that maybe a few bites wouldn’t hurt so Mom decides to share.
10:05 Supermom Gracie brings in a nice large fish for the gang. Get’s right to work and feeds them.
I feel sorry for that stray fledgling that showed up this morning. He’s only hungry. There just isn’t enough food to go around on this nest.
Gamma, I forgot to mention your name in my earlier comment but did you notic baby one fledged the nest this morning and there was some intruder invasion .
JanTheArchaeologist,Leanne,JP JB and Trinity Did you see that that baby number one fledged the nest today for the first time and we had some intruder invasion also just checking I didn’t see any comments from any of you .
I had to scroll back but yes, I got to see the first flight and it was amazing. 🙂 🙂
As for the invasion, man oh man, that was something! Such an exciting day so far 🙂
Good morning all!! I have been watching all morning. YES, I did watch our brave young raptor fledge!! So darn exciting to be able to follow this family and a loner.
After reading a few posts, this group is very protective of (our) little raptor’ s!! LOL
I hope everyone realizes our site is so blessed to have sight and sound.
Thank YOU ALL for sharing your thoughts and knowledge!
Have a SERENDIPITYLICIOUS weekend!!
Hey. I’m watching like a hawk and feel like a proud mother ( no kids myself so this is awesome !) yay yay our osprey family is just so fascinating. Thanks again Tommy the landlord for showing us these creatures ?
10:05amEDT Fish delivery Large whole fish….I think Mom
Just when you thought it couldn’t get more exciting, it does.
10:06 Mom brought small fish..
About 8:50 CST Chicks keep other osprey away from nest with major, major squawking. At one point I thought number 2 was gonna try to fly off and attack. NOT happy chicks at that time but all is quiet now. 🙂
9:47am Chicks doing their own nest guarding…..crazy neighbor kid buzzing nest
Wow. Wow. Wow. Just scrolled back and saw number 2 take first flight and what a flight it was. Gracie and number 1 watched intently and to watch chick off in distance was amazing. I have to admit I applauded and got a little teary. Was like first day of school. 🙂
And as a reward George delivered a nice sized fish and defended his nest as VF tried to land and score some breakfast. So far, its been a wonderful day for the Osprey family. Weather looks wonderful too 🙂
Thanks so much for posting when our feathered friend fledged! I scrolled back and it was so wonderful to see, and to be able to see the return to the nest! I wonder what he/she was thinking, and if it will inspire the sibling. That one looks contented right now to take everything at a slower pace.
I also saw that George brought in a nice sized fish. I think it was somewhere around 7:30 a.m. Looks like another adult came to the nest to steal it, but the parents scared it off. It’s really amazing how the feathered neighbors are after Burns & Allen’s meals.
Thanks, again, for posting the time “our” little bird flew the coop. Thanks, even more so, to Tommy and Paul for making this all possible.
Crazy neighbor kids out there flying around! Gracie on perch keeping guard and yelling at them to go home.
Houston-“We have Lift Off”! Like watching your kid take their first bike ride!
What a good morning….A nice little flight to start the day, a little breakfast and a nap. I am jealous. Sign me up for that life!!
I am so happy that “OUR” chicks will be flying off on their own, finding adventure and freedom, however I am also sad to see them go……………….I wish them well on journey and long and wonderful life. I will always remember this family till the end of my day……………………………God bless them…………………………
“OUR” chicks! I love that!!
I can’t believe our babies are FLYING! That was simply amazing to see live this morning.
This has been quite a morning. One chick flew circles around the neighborhood. George arrived with a big fish, a big stick and a big hunk of seaweed. He chased off another adult osprey (not Eddie Haskell from yesterday) Gracie fed the babies and then took off with the rest of the fish and came back with more sea weed. She managed to move the big stick to the side and Flying Chick moved it back to the middle of the nest practicing take offs.
As these ospreys grow and others grow in surrounding nests- it is turning into a big block party!
I keep rewatching the first flight. The reactions of chick2 are priceless!
Intruder dropped into the nest after George brought in a fish around 7 this morning. Chicks hunkered down, George & Gracie went berserk.
George just brought in a tree ! Gracie moved to the edge of nest and one of the chicks is helping with the house cleaning.