The nest is on top of a high-power line. One parent was in the nest, presumably feeding the chick and the other parent was standing guard. Click on photo to enlarge.
This one appears to be taking his guard duties seriously – or maybe he’s just on the lookout for a fat field mouse….but I think Ospreys only eat fish.
The bird in the nest was definitely involved in some important task.
After a time, the one in the nest flew off.
As soon as that bird flew off, the one standing guard went into the nest.
It was fascinating to watch, but then, it doesn't take much to amuse us nowadays. I wish I had my tripod as it is hard for me to hold the camera steady on a long zoom. I missed the flight as I just wasn’t quick enough. I hope to go back again and maybe we’ll get lucky and see the chick.
I like this nest better than the one last night, don’t you?!?!
Birds are not smart about where they build their nests. We got back home today and found that some kind of unidentified bird had made droppings all over our lower patio door and deck railings. There were broken egg shells about, indicating an unsuccessful nest.
ReplyDeleteSome species risk their eggs by leaving them on the bottom of patio doors, others risk them by nesting above 50,000 volt power lines.
We should be glad that we're not birds...
Go on craigslist and see if you can find a monopod, less complicated, and easy to use. to steady the camera. Sam & Donna.
ReplyDeleteWhat cool photos. Great job. Yes, this nest is much, much better than yesterday's! Isn't it wonderful to see nature come alive.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Soon you'll be seeing little heads popping up... (okay... I liked the spiders but I do like birds better)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes~! That's much better. A tripod would really help. I didn't have one for years and now I can't understand why I never got one! There are some nice lightweight ones.
ReplyDeleteCheryl Ann
Great pix even without the tripod. Long zooms are difficult for sure. Some friends of ours had roadrunners build a nest in a box on their casita, each year for five years! The birds got so that they didn't mind their hosts being on the patio as they (the birds) climbed up to the nest.
ReplyDeletemuch better than the 'babies' at your house!! glad you got out to enjoy the beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteThere are several osprey nest along the I5 where it is next the Columbia. We've seen them fishing too.
ReplyDeleteI'll take ospreys over spiders any day!
ReplyDeleteLove watching Osprey.... they are such good parents. Hope you get to see the fuzzy little heads when they poke up.
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated with Ospreys. I, too, think there are already babies they are attending to. I also think you got great pictures. I had a really nice tripod that I gave away last year. I found I never stood still long enough to use it and trying to handle Jack and carry camera and tripod, etc., was just too much. There are times, now, when I think about getting another SLR and a tripod.
ReplyDeleteI have the bird ap on my iPhone, and it's amazing how many birds it calls to me. I don't know if you saw this video when I posted it on my blog, but you'll love it. It's amazing how they turn a fish face forward in flight. I think I read once why they do that,but I have forgotten--have to look it up. For your enjoyment, Donna: http://tinyurl.com/7ttn6jp
Nancy, thank you so much for sending the link to that video. Somehow I had missed seeing that on your blog. I enjoyed every minute. Those ospreys are such good fishers and the slow motion let's one enjoy all the details. Amazing creatures. We sometimes go to a local pizza place that is right on the river, simply to watch the ospreys that fish in the area.
DeleteSo much better - no comparison. In a lot of places the Fish and Wildlife people have built extensions on top of the power poles and moved the nests up off the power lines. Great pictures even without the tripod.
ReplyDeleteMuch better then the spiders. Hope you can catch a pic of the chick.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of the ospreys. When we lived on the Jersey shore, there were special poles built so the ospreys could nest. Amazing birds.
ReplyDeleteWe have quite a few nesting platforms in the area...now if the birds would just be smart enough to use them!! I think the ospreys are making such a comeback in this area that the demand for nesting sites is outstripping the supply.
DeleteI didnt see yesterdays blog but have a feeling it has to do with spiders, so I think I will skip, they really make my skin crawl.....I like birdies ( who eat spiders) much better
ReplyDeleteNice pics of the Osprey!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a better nest! Now, send Russ up that pole so we can see the babies!
ReplyDeleteThis nest I wouldn't mind having in my yard! Yesterday we were watching a bunny building a nest near our electric pedestal ... she kept running under our coach to get to the thicker green patch to collect material to line the burrow.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics of the Ospreys. There are poles with small platforms on top in a nearby bird sanctuary but I never new what they were for - probably Osprey nests!
ReplyDeleteYes, those would be osprey platforms. Too bad the birds sometimes choose places like high power line posts. Several years ago, an osprey built her nest on top of some lights at Autzen Stadium (U of O football stadium). In the fall when the lights came on for a night game, the nest was burned. It was empty by then, thank goodness.
DeleteI think it's hard to get a bird in flight because I'm usually zoomed in. I read that for a long distance shot, like when using your zoom lens, put your elbows in on your body and your shot won't shake so much. That usually works for me.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that we can be so easily amused.
Those are some amazing pictures! Can't wait to see the chick(s).
ReplyDelete