Observations & Images
7 May 2007
Approximate age of nestling(s) in days: 40
THE NEIGHBORS
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Observations & Images
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The weather is still greatly disturbed after heavy storms passed through the area yesterday. A high wind is blowing with a mostly overcast sky filled with rapidly moving dark clouds. Here is a look at the location of the treetop that used to contain the 2006 season nest. The rope can still be seen hanging from the top of the tree as a lonely reminder of last year's activity. |
| The new nest built by last year's male was completed too late to see any use this year. The nest is in a tree near the old nest site. | |
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An Osprey braces itself into the wind just above the new nest. |
| At this year's nest a brief ray of sunlight shines on the nest while dark clouds move past in the background. The winds were so high the dead tree the nest is in whipped back and forth which seemed to disturb the female greatly for she spent most of the time laying low in the nest while keeping up a nervous chatter. The nestlings were barely seen at all as they followed the female's example. At any moment I expected the dead tree to snap sending the nest plunging to the ground but, luckily, my fears went unrealized. | |
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The male came along clutching a fish while battling against the high wind to make headway toward the nest. Despite being buffeted along on a less than straight flight he managed flying in the strong wind very well. |
| The male on his eating perch holds up his wings to let the strong wing blow him dry. He had to make an effort to keep from being blown off the branch. | |
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The male takes wing with his catch. |
| Interestingly, the female had no interest in taking the fish from the male. | |
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When the female showed no interest in the fish the male took it back up to another perch to pick at it. |
| Returning to the nest the male this time left the fish for awhile but the female still showed no interest in it nor did the nestlings come up as they usually do when a fish is brought to the nest. I can only surmise the horrific winds battering the nest were of more concern to the female than hunger. | |
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The male flew back to the nest and retrieved the fish. Interestingly, he picked it up with his beak. |
| The male transferred the fish to his talons. | |
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The male takes his meal for a ride. |
THE NEIGHBORS |
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| Part of a flock of Laughing Gulls flying against the wind. | |
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Part of a flock of Cedar Waxwings passing by the nest. The interesting thing about their passage is that the wing beats of the entire flock seemed to be in unison. |