I know. You’ve already clicked through this weeks Salt Marsh News. But a short weekend edition seems to be called for as there’s some late breaking news.
It was hot yesterday. On the better side of 90 degrees (F). In mid afternoon Mama Osprey left the nest. She flew a few rounds around the marsh checking for any dangers. Flying by the nest, she realized the chicks were moving about and watching her. She sounded a sharp two-part warning: Heads down! And down they went like by magic.
But that didn’t last long. As soon as Mama Sandy was out of sight, the oldest chick got up and flexed his wings. The middle chick next to him stayed down. The little chick lifted her head in amazement over the total disregard of Mama’s rules. The big brother flexed his wings vigorously. Faster and faster. And up in the air he went. Almost a whole foot.
The middle chick next to him ducked further down. The youngest didn’t dare to watch. Big brother’s wobbly flight lasted only for a few seconds. And his landing was hazardous. An one foot operation.
But finally he gained his balance and got a firm footing. This reporter let out a sigh of relief. Nobody hurt, nobody fell out of the nest. Weekend duty can be nerve-racking.
After that show of emerging talent everybody was quiet. Until Sandy returned ten minutes later. She was wet, obviously from diving. But to the disappointment of the chicks, she didn’t bring a fish this time. She just needed a bath.
Mama was back. And nobody said a peep about the flying exercise that took place in her absence. And you won’t tell either, right?
Ps. If you have further suggestions on creative (and preferably gender neutral) names for the three chicks, please put them into your comments. Bumble will announce the winners in a special guest post he’s planned for Tuesday night. I think.
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
A nail biting edition Tiny!! … and so funny 😉
What a gift to be there at that moment!
Maybe the oldest should be called Lofty or Chancer.
I was so lucky to be there…it was like he’d planned it. Maybe wanted to surprise Mama 🙂 Thanks for the name proposals, Val.
Thanks for the update on the first flight trial.
Happy you enjoyed it Susan. I think he might fly before the end of the week.
What else can I say Tiny, but beautiful!!!
It was a beautiful moment to witness, like he’d been waiting for Mama to leave to do his first trial flight. He’ll be airborne very soon.
What a brilliant sequence of shots, Tiny. Another dramatic episode in the everyday life of osprey folk 🙂
Thanks Tish, I got lucky there. This is the beginning of the learning to fly series…all of them will probably learn to fly in the next couple of weeks. And after that they’ll need to learn to dive for fish. I’d love to get lucky enough to witness some of that 🙂
That first born is feisty!
He is! So determined to fly. I noticed how difficult it was for him to hold his balance, but I’m sure he’ll get it soon.
That first born is a rebel! So, my name submission for the eldest is, Rebel. 🙂 The middle-born is smart (knows when to keep its head down),so I’ll name him/her: Cassidy (Irish origins, meaning intelligent), and the youngest is a survivor, so I’ll call him/her: Sindile (African for survivor).
Nice names and clever reasoning Nancy! Bumble will have a hard time deciding 🙂
So glad you were there too, Tiny. This has been an amazing sequence of photos! Have a great weekend!
Thanks Andy. These chicks provide lots to “shoot” every time I go there. Nature never ceases to amaze me. Have a wonderful weekend too!
I so enjoy this series, Tiny! Great captures and story. 🙂 Love the last shot.
I like the last shot too…Mama’s expression is priceless when she hears and sees the chicks asking for food again. I’m sure they had just eaten before she left. Thanks Amy!
Priceless, Indeed! Thank you so much for bringing so much joy of seeing them to grow, Tiny. 🙂
Very kind of you, Amy 🙂
Absolutely amazing photos & sequence!
Thanks for your kind words, Cindy. Happy safari rides!
He’s ready to SOAR! My thoughts:
Safari (or Soar)
Sage
Savvy
Thanks Nancy for these creative suggestions! Poor Bumble, how’s he going to decide?
Great post Tiny! Very exciting moments until they’ll all soar together. To keep in memory forever! ThanksTiny! 🙂
Thanks H.J.! You’re right, these are the memorable moments, big milestones we can observe. I would also love to see when they learn to dive for fish, but it would involve an amazing amount of luck since they will not fish in the waters of the salt marsh, but either over the bay or the ocean 🙂
Oh, the eldest is a bit of know it all. LOL So glad you were able to capture the moments! I would name them, Omega, JoJo and Marsh. 😉
They clearly have some personality traits already. The first born is full of confidence…I’m happy the smallest one is now a bit more assertive than s/he used to be. Thanks for the great name suggestions. How’s Bumble going to decide? That remains to be seen 🙂
Bumble has a hard job ahead of him, but he’s the right dog for the job! 😉
I’ll tell him so 🙂
I LOVE that you were able to capture this first attempt!! And I’ve a feeling you will be a part of the learning to fish edition as well…it’s only fitting!! I think the oldest should be named, “Lindy” for Charles Lindberg 😉 ♡
You made me smile! That’s great reasoning! Being able to do a learning to fish edition would require running back and forth between the bay and the ocean (half a mile one way)…and they fly much faster than I can run, but who knows 😀
Happy you enjoyed his wobbly flight!
Oh…better get your running shoes! Hehe 😉
Oh, I always have them on… I think I’d be better off by praying for good luck 🙂
I know this is not at all original, but Moe, Larry & Curly. The bossy one, the bullied one, and the other one.
Nancy
Not gender neutral though.
I think I know the genders, but one cannot be quite sure when they are this young 🙂
Thanks Nancy!
Oh, that is exciting if not naughty of the eldest! Glad it went well in the end. For names – Careener, for the eldest, Aspire, for the middle one ( aspiring to be like the eldest) and Ducker for the wee one, for obvious reasons 😀.
It was unexpected …and little naughty of him too 🙂 Thanks for the creative and well reasoned name proposals, Kathy!
Fascinating post with great photo captures. Have you thought about taking short movies in situations like this?
I did a short video for the previous post, but it comes out so small and I’m so clumsy with the videos 🙂 I will try to get a short clip though next time I go there. This “trial flight” came so suddenly that I just wasn’t prepared. Thanks Hien!
Oh. My. Gosh. That time is getting so close but I’m still not ready {sigh}
Looking at them now, it’s hard to believe they were born less than two months ago! Two months from now they’ll probably be fishing somewhere else although they will not migrate for the winter.
Dopey question but once they finally leave the nest, is their contact with their parents over?
You knew it was going to happen eventually. The miracle was your photos! I am going to go put my thinking cap on for the names, because – clearly – winkin’, blinkin’ and nod won’t do!
Thanks Susan! Bumble and I have scheduled a decision meeting on the names for tomorrow night…he has the last word on the winners who are going to get his book 😉
Such fun!! I would not get a thing done if I had that sight out my window to watch all day!!
I can see them from my terrace or living room window, but only with strong binoculars. Being right there is the best, and I go whenever I can, like just after sunrise this morning when Papa brought a fish 🙂
Haha..when momma’s away, the chicks will play!
flying alone – with hit-or-miss-wings, in the beginning – is a kid’s biggest dream, as well as a parent’s biggest nightmare, sometimes. for moms, all over the world, the moment of autonomy comes mostly a bit too early. 😉