It’s extremely windy today. Another cold front is approaching. Daring the wind, I wanted to check how the osprey family was doing.
When I arrived in the salt marsh, Mama Osprey was sitting in the nest with only the top of her head visible, not perching on the edge as she usually does. I noticed the nest had grown a lot since last week.
When she saw me, she got up a little bit to say hi. Her crop was full, so Papa Stanley must have brought her a fish earlier in the morning. I stood under my “observation tree” for a while keeping her company. Suddenly Stanley flew in, as it were, for a brief romantic interlude.
Afterwards Mama Sandy instructed him on what to bring from his next trip. I’m guessing it was some specific materials for the nursery.
Then Papa flew away for yet another visit to Home Depot.
After coming home I checked on the nest from our terrace. It clearly had some soft nursery materials already in place. And Mama Sandy was busy arranging them to her liking… in the gusty wind.
I hope they and their nest will fare well through the storms that are supposed to pass overnight.
Have a wonderful weekend! Love always, Tiny
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
I love a good love story!
Me too! They are real “love birds” 🙂
I can imagine the guys raising a beer or two to Stanley for the good show today!
Its so great to follow their story through you camera and words Tiny.
Thank you!
He he..they might! I’m happy I can take pics also from my terrace…so I can see when Mama starts sitting on the egg(s). They will not be close-ups, but better than just waiting for a tiny head to peek over the edge 🙂
Everything is coming together for the little one! How great is that? 🙂
That is great indeed! Maybe two this year…who knows 🙂
Oh, that would be nice! 🙂
He looks like he’s giving her an eye full in that first shot ~ “Ack! Retract your talons! Retract your talons!”
I agree. And I think Papa complied in the last minute 🙂 They always land in the nest that way retracting their talons just at touch down. When their have eggs, and later hatchlings in the nest, they walk around with their talons completely drawn in.
You have taken fantastic shots Tiny! 🙂
Thanks H.J.! These guys make me go out even in windy conditions, one never knows what will unfold 😀
Such a great sequence. The outstretched talons and look on her face is a priceless moment/capture. I hope you’re all able to stay warm as the front passes through.
Thanks Eric! I’m hoping it’ll not get as chilly as last time, but the birds have had to endure quite heavy winds and thunderstorms tonight.
Fun times ahead! 🙂 😀
As always, I love your photos, and how you capture such perfect moments.
Yes, little one(s) in the nest soon 😀 Thanks Takami!
Ah yes, it is that time of year!
It is! The egrets and herons in the marsh have grown their plumes, ready to find a mate. I’ll need to keep my eyes open in the spring for little ones.
Baby birds of all types simply melt me 😊!
me too 🙂 but I’ll need to get better in spotting the little ones. Their moms are very good in hiding them – for good reasons, of course.
I love this story of the two, but her look in the picture with him approaching the nest is hysterical. It’s either “hit the brakes!” or “now what?!” 🙂
It is! We should have had a caption competition for that picture 🙂 I think he flew in with higher than normal speed because he had the hard wind in his back…always an explanation 😉
Do many species of birds include the male as a “child” rearing participant ?
Yes, quite many actually, but their roles vary a little bit.
Didn’t know they have a Home Depot for ospreys! 🙂 At the EBF refuge here in New Jersey, a pair of peregrine falcons has taken over an osprey nest. I wonder what’s going to happen when the ospreys come back in a few months.
I’m not sure, but from what I’ve read, I think that if the nest is still occupied when the osprey couple returns, they are likely to look for another nest site rather than taking a fight.
Stunning captures, Tiny! Enjoyed reading the story! Hope they’ll make it…
Thanks Amy! Last year they had one offspring, she fledged mid May. I hope they’ll have at least one…even two this year.
Hopefully all will be well. I think they will know how to hunker down and weather the storm. 🙂
They did! Saw them this morning from my terrace. Mama perches on the edge again as the wind has calmed down now.
Excellent!
Great Photos!
Thank you Jeff!
You’re welcome!
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