I couldn’t keep myself from checking on the osprey family again. You knew that, right? I had been spying on the nest from our terrace using binoculars …unfortunately it’s too far for me to get sharp pictures with my current camera gear.
So yesterday, after shoving down half a salad late in the lunch hour, I ran out to the nature reserve. Ok – I didn’t really run, but that’s how it felt in the afternoon heat.
Approaching the nest I only saw the mama. She was observing me. The nestling was laying low, but I could see little movement of his head every now and then. They were not eating lunch as yet.
It was about 2 p.m. and papa osprey was nowhere to be seen. That’s until mama osprey thought I had been too sloppy with my camouflage. She gave out a few short high-pitched whistles, cheep cheep. The calls were not the kind of frenzied cheereeks I had heard earlier when the dogs approached the nest, but papa osprey appeared almost immediately! He flew over the nest, looked down on me and tipped his hat (sorry, I missed that picture). That’s old Tiny, he seemed to think, no danger from her. He didn’t even circle the nest, just continued to fly high towards the beach. He has great intuition.
I decided to turn and walked around the marsh to the other side of the nest where the ospreys are more used to see joggers and other loose folks like me. I was still a bit away, busy watching some ibis birds and egrets washing and drying themselves in the marsh, when I sensed something in the air. I looked up and saw a huge fish hanging from the talons of papa osprey’s right foot high up in the air!
Lunch had arrived, fresh from the ocean! There was activity in the nest. I guessed the fish was portioned out. But I got a surprise! The nestling was being fed by his mama again!
I left them to enjoy their lunch in peace and quiet. It was not yet the time for flying practice.
Fly high now – Tiny
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
Oh yummy fish. I suppose that was a bit too big a mouthful for a little one.
That’s what I thought too! I estimated the fish to be about 80 cm long. So maybe that was a “no-no” for the youngster.
Yes, even I would have trouble with a fish that big!
🙂
Fantastic capture of the delivery of lunch!
Thanks. That was more luck than skill that I saw him return! If I had been on the lookout, the pictures would have been better, but who has the time to be on lookout at lunch time 🙂
Wow!
Great pictures tiny! That one with the fish is so stunning. big hugs!
Thanks Jackie! The huge fish was a surprise. When he flew towards the ocean, he had nothing and 10 minutes later he’s caught this one!
I even thought maybe the female was not upset about me but shouted at him “where’s the food” and he decided to try in the ocean instead 🙂
Incredible pictures, I love these. 🙂
Thanks Dom! I love following these guys and I’m happy you like the pictures.
Tiny, I am amazed at the wonderful pictures you are capturing of all the great wildlife you witness. The picture of Papa Osprey is fantastic!!! What great captures all the pictures are. I love them all. Hugs
Thanks so much Mag! I was truly amazed by the size of the fish he caught, and how he carried it home to the lunch table 🙂 They are just a little family with joys and trials – much like us. Hugs to you too!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Love your photos and perspective. This makes my day.
Thanks Cyndi! This little family has become so dear to me…they are so much like us, maybe wiser in some way 🙂
fantastic shot of the osprey with fish! I love this story and each little episode 😀
You have the absolute best “backyard!”
Yes I do – grateful and enjoying it every day.
I’ve been away for a while! I’m so happy to check in on you and see your gorgeous photos and read your wonderful words! They always give me a lift! Keep up the good work!
Thought you would enjoy this Helen:
http://our-amazing-world.tumblr.com/post/96683544106/graceful-egret-amazing-world-beautiful-amazing
Thanks David! I enjoyed the dreamy and gracious image of the Great Egret. It’s rare to see them looking straight up with their long neck fully extended – poetic picture.
From water to stomach in seconds – can’t get fresher than that.