MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

First things first - all 3 chicks, mom, and dad are doing well. Dad keeps them supplied with fish and mom keeps serving it up. It goes without saying that the chicks gobble it up. Those parents will have earned a well-deserved rest once those chicks fledge.

Sorry to be a day late posting these, but these birds were singularly uncooperative yesterday. It was a real struggle to find some decent shots to post. I was out on Friday (7/17) to check on them and take some shots, and that was a tough day, too.

There are 7 images in all for this post. The first 3 are images I shot on Friday for the simple reason that in the images I shot yesterday, the chicks look as though they have shrunk from week five. The buggers were hunkered down pretty low in the nest most of the time yesterday when I was there. When I got home and looked at some of the shots I took of osprey in flight carrying fish, I understood why - some of the osprey turned out to be rather large immature juvenile eagles. They were too far away and were backlit when I was shooting, so I had NO idea! In my images, it is clear that the beaks belong to eagles, not osprey. It also explains why dad stayed closer than usual to the nest as well as why mom kept up her agitated "chirping" and kept swiveling her head. The last 4 images are from yesterday.

7-17-15. The chicks are almost as big as mom!


7-17-15. The runt is the one in the middle in the front. Mom's favorite is all the way to the left. Mom's head can be seen right behind the runt.


Taken 7-17-15.


Family portrait taken 7-20-15. There is a head barely visible under Mom's tail.


Feeding time -AGAIN! 7-20-15. This is the BEST shot iI was able to get of them being fed yesterday.


A closer view of 1 on 1 feeding. 7-20-15. I'm not sure, but I think this is the runt.


Proud papa sticking very close to the gang. 7-20-15.

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

Great series!

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series Mike.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you for looking and commenting. Check out the previous weeks' posts to see how they've grown.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks! I always appreciate your looking and comments. I'm hoping they will be more cooperative next week. Maybe I'll bring some fish with me and toss it up to the nest to get them to all look up and in the same direction so I can get a decent shot. You know I'm not really serious!

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Another great set Mike, my how they grow so quick! Thank you very much for your time taken keeping us updated, it is appreciated. :thumbup: :D

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Great series indeed!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks, Sylvia. I am getting so much enjoyment from watching these birds and documenting their growth that it should be illegal. And then there is the joy I get from sharing the experience with my friends here on the Hog.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks, Bob. Funny story for you. When I arrived at the nest yesterday I only saw mom and 1 chick in the nest. First thing that went through my mind was that they had fledged. When I did the math, I realized that that was pretty much impossible. Next thing that went through my mind was that a predator (the 4-legged kind) got the missing 2. Of course I was thinking foxes and racoons. Your avatar immediately popped into my mind! But not to worry - there is one of those upside down cone things mounted to the post the nest platform is on.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Hey...we always get a bad rap!!...LOL...good one!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

angela k Loc: Long Island

Excellent series, Mike!! I love the way you documented this beautiful family!!
Thanks for sharing!
:thumbup: :thumbup:

merrytexan Loc: georgia

wow these are marvelous shots of the family. excellent job!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks, Angela. I always welcome & appreciate your visits and comments. They really are beautiful. I wish I could take them home with me. Maybe I'll put up an osprey nest platform in my backyard for next year. There is an active nest near our local hardware store - just spotted that one last week. Then there are 2 nests that appear to be empty/inactive - one on top of the EXXON sign at the end of the parkway and the one on the stadium light at the local elementary school. The boy in the movie said "I see dead people". I say "I see osprey nests!"

angela k Loc: Long Island

Hahahaaa... well if you do set one up in your yard, make sure you put a live cam so I can watch like I do G&G!!
Now that I see what they go through in their nest and with their chicks, I really do appreciate and admire them so much more!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Love your suggestion about the live cam. I'd better start working on the zoning variance application!