Yesterday was the liveliest air traffic day in the nature reserve so far this year. Everybody was flying somewhere. At whatever altitude. Papa Osprey perched on the corner of his nest and watched the skies, much like an air traffic controller.
He was busy shouting instructions on when and where to land. And, in some cases, not to land at all. He was very clear about that. And loud. Landing permit denied.
The two gentlemen in question were ospreys. He saw these guys zooming into his airspace like fighter jets, one chasing the other.
The pursuer also had some questionable cargo. A half eaten fish was dangling from his talons.
Papa Osprey must have concluded that something fishy was going down. Maybe the hunted, who strongly resembled the other guy hanging around the area, had tried to steal the cargo. And now had to flee to avoid punishment.
They flew a couple of rounds above the nature reserve. You know, as in circling the airport. But got no permit to land from Papa Osprey. So off they went to settle their dispute on the bay-side. I could see Papa Osprey relax just a bit. But the congested traffic pattern continued. A Great Egret was taxing out and took off at the other end of the salt marsh.
She reached her cruising altitude in no time and was shooting away like a small jet in the general direction of the bay.
In another part of the salt marsh, a Snowy Egret had a rough landing on a small island. She missed the airstrip and landed in high grass. Almost simultaneously, a Roseate Spoonbill landed on the neighboring island. Dangerously close to an Ibis waiting on the taxiway. But so far so good. No accidents to report.
In the meantime, the island hopper, a Great Blue Heron, took off from the runway closest to the ocean.
He flew extremely low. Like trying to fly stealth under the radar.
I’m sure Papa Osprey detected him anyway. But he let it be. It was a short domestic flight from one island to another. Soon the heron landed safely at his destination.
After that a pelican passed over the salt marsh at an unusually high cruising altitude. I guessed he was going on a fishing trip in the ocean as the landing gear was still up.
Then the traffic finally calmed down. The skies were empty and peaceful again. Well ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Papa Osprey took a well deserved break.
Be well now…and if you’re going somewhere for the long weekend, please stay safe in air, on the road and in the water. ❤ Tiny
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
OH, Tiny, I laughed all the way through this and was amazed as well at your photographs!!! Boy, was it ever a busy day at that air space!! Good thing Papa Osprey was awake and alert!!! Great post! I really enjoyed it! Love, Amy
I laughed too when I wrote it and remembered how all that traffic was quite overwhelming for me to photograph 🙂 Always had just put away my camera or it was not on the right settings…phew. The ospreys came literally “out of the blue”….
Well, you really did an awesome job then, especially if most of the photos were OH MY GOSH DO IT NOW photos! GRIN!! I had that experience with the Blue Heron who showed up in my backyard, with my hands fumbling all over the place, my brain racing WHAT SETTIINGS???, my eyes peeled on that Heron …. and hoping that my light meter comes out balanced when all is said and done. LOL I really and I mean really enjoyed this post. Thank you!!!! xx Amy
Thanks so much Amy!! It means a lot. Hugs!
Love the unfolding drama!
Thanks! It promises to be an eventful fall and winter season…
Poor Papa Osprey, he just has to keep watch all the time and direct things. My goodness if it wasn’t for him we could have an air disaster! lol
Wonderful photos my friend. ❤
Thanks Jackie! PO is definitely my favorite air controller, no doubt 😀 You should have heard him when these two other ospreys showed up. I’ve never heard that “song” before! Hugs!
Delightful! The birds put our human air traffic control skills to shame.
They do! I’ve never seen any mishaps around the salt marsh despite the many types of different wings that fly there every day…the only questionable landing I’ve witnessed was when the just fledged young osprey landed on one foot… almost on her mom 🙂
Simply beautiful photos, Tiny. And the accompanying words were entertaining. 🙂
Thanks Eric. Nature provides so much beauty for us to enjoy, and I’m grateful to have it all close by.
Best post ever, Tiny! Loved every word and picture. 🙂
Thanks Nancy! I had so much fun both taking the pics and writing it up…it really was the busiest day in the salt marsh.
Fantastic!
That must have been a lot of excitement for you, too. You captured some awesome shots!! And I so love your wonderful storytelling. It seems there is never a dull moment in the Nature Reserve for stimulating your great creativity! Love being a spectator through your eyes!! Have a great weekend, Tiny!!
That was an exciting stop at the salt marsh. I was trying to ID the two ospreys from my photos, but can’t figure out who the one with the fish was. I didn’t capture the markings clearly enough. But there’s one more adult present around here now, unless it’s Mama Osprey… Thanks for your kind words Cyndi and have a great weekend!
Papa Osprey in the control tower….how adorable is this title?!!
Yes, he really acted like an air traffic controller, especially for the two ospreys who zoomed into “his” airspace!
WOW! What an amazing post! I can’t believe you were able to catch all of that & with such clarity & amazing shots. Fabulous post – as always!
Thanks a lot for your kind words! Happy you enjoyed the post. I had so much fun writing it.
Birds always seem so stern–but then again, I suppose they have to; it’s tough.
Ahhh, Labour Day weekend. Son #1 will be moving to Calgary for 4 months on Monday. Right now Sons 1 and 2 are planning to visit a concert downtown tonight. Son 3 is out of town camping with his friends. Maybe We other three will get out of town for the evening. Have to love the long weekends, though.
I agree that birds tend to look stern, but then it’s difficult to smile with a beak like Papa Osprey’s. I’m sure he would if he could. This long weekend is great for some family time. And around here it’s one of the liveliest weekends of the year as many visitors from near and far will come to enjoy the beaches before their fall truly kicks in. Have a wonderful one!
Great air traffic controlling going on there with Papa Osprey. Sweet Tiny there are not words to describe to you how utterly amazing I think these pictures are…what fabulous photography my friend! Hugs
this looks like tropical/subtropical paradise!!! Florida? Georgia?
This is in Florida, on the Gulf Coast.