Yesterday was a beautiful, yet extremely windy and chilly day. For Florida I might add. But since I have made a promise to move my old bones every single day this year (thanks Nancy at http://myyearofsweat.wordpress.com/ for the inspiration), I decided to take a walk on the windy side.

The ocean appeared angry! White hats dominated the scene. The wind was hurting my eyes despite huge shades. The normally lively beach appeared deserted. Pelicans who usually provide free acrobatics lessons were nowhere to be seen.

A few brave gulls were defying the wind and strolling impatiently on the beach. One had found a dead fish and considered whether or not it was wise to feast on it.

Another one gave me the look. What are you doing here in this wind?

That was about everyone I encountered on the beach. I decided the wind was too much to endure and hoped it would be a bit calmer in the nearby nature reserve. So I turned and walked away from the beach to the relative calm of the park. That’s where I became witness to a domestic dispute in the resident osprey family.

First I saw the female waiting alone on the nest platform. She was keeping a good eye on everything, including me. It seemed she had guard duty. Or maybe she was supervising the nest-building project?

Then I saw the male return to the nest. Empty-handed. No building materials. She started to look fairly agitated. Probably asking where’s the stuff. High pitched discussion ensued already before he landed and settled on the opposite side of the nest platform.

It’s anyone’s guess what he did next, but she became very angry very quickly. She flexed her wings and let him have it. He responded in a harsh tone. Twigs were flying out of the nest. Luckily I couldn’t understand what they were saying. But it wasn’t “I love you”.

After a while they both calmed down and the dispute was over. I could see them sharing the nest in relative peace for a good five minutes. They appeared to be discussing something in a more civilized manner. Maybe they agreed on colors and specifications of the building materials he should try to find.

Then the discussion was over, the male flew away and disappeared towards the bridge far beyond the reserve. She continued to guard the nest.

I thought he looked fairly determined.  Assembling a nest can be stressful. The pieces have to fit together just the right way. I wished them good luck.

I continued my journey for another hour and found many other birds hiding in the bushes, seeking shelter from the wind. But that is for a later post.

Thanks for joining me, I hope you enjoyed the walkabout. Have a fabulous and peaceful weekend ♥ Tiny