Osprey Mom & Chicks - week 3
Jun 29, 2015 16:59:04 #
I am happy to report that all 3 chicks are present and accounted for and appear to be doing fine. The runt is getting bigger.
These shots were taken today with my SX50 and are SOOC except for the 1st one, which I cropped, but only slightly, for effect.
Unfortunately mom was not feeding them any of the 3 times I went by the nest over a 2 1/2 hour period, so I cannot report on the degree of bullying during meal times. By the looks of the runt, he is getting a bit more to eat. Also, I noticed today that mom seems to be keeping him closer to her.
They were not being very cooperative today posing for me, so please accept my apologies for the composition. There wasn't much to work with today and I only was able to get a few keepers.
These shots were taken today with my SX50 and are SOOC except for the 1st one, which I cropped, but only slightly, for effect.
Unfortunately mom was not feeding them any of the 3 times I went by the nest over a 2 1/2 hour period, so I cannot report on the degree of bullying during meal times. By the looks of the runt, he is getting a bit more to eat. Also, I noticed today that mom seems to be keeping him closer to her.
They were not being very cooperative today posing for me, so please accept my apologies for the composition. There wasn't much to work with today and I only was able to get a few keepers.
The one on the far right is the runt. There is another chick way off to mom's left side & I could not get him in the frame.
I am pretty certain that that is the runt right next to mom!
Now you can get a better idea of the relative sizes of the 3 chicks. That's the runt next to mom. The other 2 are those large brown lumps in the left of the frame. I told you they were not being cooperative today!
Jun 29, 2015 17:15:07 #
The runt is smart; staying closer to mom might get him fed first instead of last.
Jun 29, 2015 17:24:42 #
Tpharm wrote:
The runt is smart; staying closer to mom might get him fed first instead of last.
One would think that, but it's definitely not what happens. Mom reaches over and feeds the other 2 while keeping the runt in closer to her. She tends to feed them one at a time for the most part. Every once in a while, when the 2 larger chicks are trying to down a larger piece of food, Mom will "sneak" some food to the runt. Then, when the other 2 have had their fill, Mom feeds #3. It is really something to see.
It took me a while to realize I wasn't limited to stills - I can actually shoot video with those cameras. So I did! It's a bit shakey, but very interesting to watch just the same.
Thank you for looking and commenting. I plan to post weekly updates on these guys until we have to leave on our next trip. Hopefully, they will be fledged by that time.
Jun 29, 2015 18:38:44 #
Thank you very much Mike for the update, another excellent set. :thumbup: :D
Jun 29, 2015 19:35:56 #
Great set Mike!! Were you up in a nearby tree to get these shots??!
These make me feel a lot better about our LI family, maybe PeeWee stands a chance like your runt does!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed them all!!
:-D :thumbup:
These make me feel a lot better about our LI family, maybe PeeWee stands a chance like your runt does!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed them all!!
:-D :thumbup:
Jun 29, 2015 20:45:42 #
Sylvias wrote:
Thank you very much Mike for the update, another excellent set. :thumbup: :D
Thanks, Sylvia. I appreciate you looking and commenting. There will be weekly updates for as long as I can do it. These birds are addictive.
Jun 29, 2015 20:48:51 #
angela k wrote:
Great set Mike!! Were you up in a nearby tree to get these shots??!
These make me feel a lot better about our LI family, maybe PeeWee stands a chance like your runt does!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed them all!!
:-D :thumbup:
These make me feel a lot better about our LI family, maybe PeeWee stands a chance like your runt does!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed them all!!
:-D :thumbup:
Haha! No, not up a tree. Actually sitting in my car shooting up through an open window. Getting just the right angle gets tricky. Mom gets upset and flies off the nest if you get out of the car. I'll head back either Wednesday or Thursday to check on them again.
Jun 30, 2015 08:08:00 #
Jun 30, 2015 11:24:10 #
MadMikeOne wrote:
I am happy to report that all 3 chicks are present... (show quote)
Another nice series Mike... keep them coming until they fledge...
Jun 30, 2015 21:19:58 #
brucew29 wrote:
Another nice series Mike... keep them coming until they fledge...
I plan to keep at this until we have to head to Europe. If they haven't fledged by then, hubbie may have to go alone. I love these birds.
Weather permitting, I'm going back out on Thursday. No way do I go off island on the 3rd. I won't get back home until Labvor Day-lol.
Jun 30, 2015 21:44:00 #
Jun 30, 2015 21:45:47 #
rlaugh wrote:
Excellent set....good job!
Thanks, Bob. I am having such an incredible amount of fun with these birds that it should be illegal. Just keep you racoon paws off of them!
Jun 30, 2015 22:28:50 #
MadMikeOne wrote:
I plan to keep at this until we have to head to Europe. If they haven't fledged by then, hubbie may have to go alone. I love these birds.
Weather permitting, I'm going back out on Thursday. No way do I go off island on the 3rd. I won't get back home until Labvor Day-lol.
Weather permitting, I'm going back out on Thursday. No way do I go off island on the 3rd. I won't get back home until Labvor Day-lol.
:thumbup:
Jun 30, 2015 23:53:24 #
Jun 30, 2015 23:55:14 #
sailorsmom wrote:
Wonderful news and wonderful photos, Mike! :)
Thanks so much, Sue. I will keep everyone posted on the family. My trusty SX50 & my D5200 are serving me well.
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