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

This week, the runt is the featured player. Mom & Dad played supporting roles, and big brother was nearby, but kept a low profile high up in a tree. Big Sister (the big bully) was also closeby.

I'll let the photos tell the story.

Enjoy!

What I was hoping for and dreading at the same time - an empty nest


And there he was - our beloved runt - about 100 feet awayon the top of an old dead tree.


He flew back over to the nest while I watched him. Note Mom right there still keeping an eye on her youngest.


He flew off for a while and then returned. Note that Mom is on the nest awaiting his return.


His landings need some work - quite a bit of work!


"OOPS! My feets are bigger than I thought!"


"Oh NO! Not splinters! Please NOT splinters!"


"OK - no splinters - just VERY embarrassed. Some nut case is taking my picture. I didn't sin no stinkin' release!"


"What a save"


"Dad, HEY Dad - over here with that fish. Please?"


Dad needs Mom's approval 1st!


The fish was delivered. It's right at his feet. Talk about service! I hope he tipped the delivery bird well.


And there he is - all full of fish and vim and vigor. HE FLEDGED!!!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

I'm very glad--didn't want to mention it , but some don't make it at this time!

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

Thanks for sharing this amazing experience with me.

I was very aware that there was an excellent possibility that this little guy might not make it. He was bullied by big sister. Fortunately, Dad was an excellent provider and Mom protected him from his siblings. I went to the nest a couple of times a week, and many times I would observe the runt right near mom with big brother and sister at the other side of the nest. She also seemed to feed the chicks pretty much one at a time. Many times she fed the runt last as I watched. Of course, there was enough food to go around, so that was a big help. He fledged a full week after his big brother (middle bird), and is even now smaller than his brother and sister weree when they fledged.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

I received a call from my friend about this time last year. While bass fishing, he saw an osprey struggling in the water, so wrapped a towel around a boat paddle and the osprey climbed aboard. I did not know what to suggest, so called a retired game warden with many years experience, and he said to take the osprey ashore and perhaps he would dry out and its parents would feed and try to protect it. This doesn't always work ,and they may fall prey to another predator.

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

So pleased all ended well. Another excellent set both shots and verse! Have enjoyed the series very much Mike, thank you for your time and patience.......look forward to next year! :thumbup: :D

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

Super neat, thanks for sharing.

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

Thank you so much for your visits and kind comments. It was a real privilege to be able to watch this family grow and thrive, I have to say that I was honestly worried in those first 3 weeks or so that the runt might not make it. Every time I went out to check on them, I held my breath until I counted all 3 heads in the nest. It did take him an extra few days to catch up to his brother and sister before he fledged. It is really reassuring that mom and dad stay close to the nest even now. Big brother (middle chick) seems very protective of the runt, also. He is usually perched in a nearby tree or on one of the braces for the nest and faces the runt.

I'll more than likely go back out again this week and again next Monday. Supposedly, the chicks return to the nest for 2 weeks after fledging to eat and sleep. Maybe I'll be able to get a few more shots before they fly off. We shall see.

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

Thank YOU! It was a real pleasure to watch them grow and to share the experience with my fellow Hogs and Hoggetts.

LaMaCh Loc: Parkville Md USA

Thank you for sharing this story with us . The Osprey is my favorite bird of prey, just love to watch them hunt. Very nice work keep the story coming

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

You are very welcome. It was my pleasure to follow their progress and to share it here. I am so glad you enjoyed the story and photos.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

A wonderful saga. Wasn't aware that they were such good parents. Terrific pictures.

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

Thanks so much for looking and commenting. It has been a very educational experience for me to watch this process. I had no idea that osprey are such great parents, either. It's interesting to note that I do not believe that it is only this pair that are so good at parenting. There are 3 other nests in that same area that I have been informally following. In all 3 instances, both parents remain very close to the nest. Two of the nests are what is termed "natural" nests - that is, they are not on manmade osprey nest platforms. At both of those nests, papa is usually to be seen perched high up on a branch of the tree in which the nest is constructed and mom is in the nest with the chick(s). The other nest is manmade and papa is in a nearby tree and mom is either on the nest or perched on one of the supports. Also, the females seem to have a certaincall that means "come on, hubbie, bring in the fish NOW! the chicks are waiting." Usually, I can spot a male osprey eating a fish in a tree close by Next thing I know, he's flying toward the nest, fish in talons, and drops it off for mom to serve up to the brood. Amazing!

larryzplace Loc: Elk Grove Village Illinois

Great set... Hope to see many more :-D :-D

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

Thanks very much. So glad you followed along to see the gang grow up and fly off!

I'm hoping they will stay close to the nest for the next couple of week. My plan is to go out a couple of mornings a week to check on them and take photos. Of course, there ARE those other 3 nests in the same area. I believe the chick in one of them has fledged. At least, I saw a couple of "strange" ospreys I could not account for up in a tree near a platform nest last week. One was an adult male and the other was a juvenile female. I know they were not "ours"! One of the natural nests has 2 chicks. Those nests are a bit too far away and too high to get decent shots, so I'm hoping that once they fledge I'll be able to get images of the fledglings.

Sharon from CDA Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Great shots and I love the picture story :)