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

Hi all,

Well I went out again this AM to check on his royal highness, the runt (aka "He who refuses to leave the nest because he knows a good thing when he sees it".) He's still in the nest and looks as though he's settled in for the long haul.

When I first arrived, big brother (middle chick) was standing guard. Mom was in a tree a few hundred feet away. Dad and the eldest chick were probably still out fishing. No sign of either one. I went off to another area for about an hour and when I returned to the nest, Mom and big brother were in the nest with the runt. Mom was calling out to dad to come in with food. Then things went a bit off. Someone pulled over a few hundred feet away, got out of the car, and scared mom & big brother off the nest. Mom and big brother did not return to the nest the remaining time I was in the area. Both did, however, return to trees close to the nest and perched watching over the runt.

Here are some shots from my visit this AM. All were taken with my Canon SX50. Please note the first one is OOF for the simple reason that I shot it on auto with the engine still running in the car. DUH!!

Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Big brother keeping a watchful eye on little brother.


Mom notices something is up up the road.


Big brother is onto the guy on the road with the camera.


Both mom and big brother left to keep watch from a distance.


The runt with his usual expression. Notice that he is standing higher than usual in the nest. But he still hasn't test flapped his wings - just stretches once in a while.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good Mike.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

He just doesn't want to leave his mummy! Another excellent set Mike. :thumbup: :D

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

LOL...good narrative and shots!!

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

Thanks, Bob. I'd appreciate it if you and your relatives would come out here and put the fear of God - or racoons! - into this bird. He HAS to go out on his own. His parents are so tired that they keep flying into trees.

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

Thanks, Earnest. I can't seem to stay away from them.

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

You've got that right, Sylvia. Hopefully I'll be able to report that he has flown come my next visit there on Monday.
Thanks for following the family.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

I'll see if I can put my cousin "Bugsy" on it....he been known as an intimidator!!

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

:) :thumbup: :thumbup:

gwr Loc: South Dartmouth, Ma.

NICE! gary

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

Thanks, Gary. I am so glad that several of my fellow Hogs are enjoying this family along with me. That adds immeasurably to my own enjoyment of them.

gwr Loc: South Dartmouth, Ma.

I know how you feel. it amazes me that raptors don't really get a lot more comments here. they are amazing and Ospreys are right at the top of that list. just the way they hit the water. the last fraction of a second, extending their talons to enter the water first. shaking the water off their feathers and maneuvering the fish so its more aerodynamically designed. i love them. gary

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Thanks for the update Mike, and sure hope that he can get it together!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

nice set Mike

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

Thanks for looking and commenting.
I have confidence in the little guy. If he could make it through the bullying he got from big sister - and it was pretty bad at times - he will fly off. He just needs a couple of extra days to catch up.