The morning was beautiful. A few birds were out and about at the salt marsh, still looking for breakfast. Some were trying to hide in the bushes. And yet others chose to pose for the visitor.
At the Osprey nest the breakfast was over. Lofty was again looking after little Sindile, who has not yet fledged. Mama Sandy had left to fetch her own breakfast, and middle sister Aspire was flying around somewhere, getting her exercise. Everything appeared peaceful.
But soon it was obvious something was amiss. When Aspire tried to return to the nest, Lofty got very excited. He was watching her approach and made it very clear she shouldn’t land in the nest.
I have no idea what had happened between them earlier, perhaps at breakfast time. Maybe Aspire took the fish for herself, like I saw her do last week, and didn’t share enough with her siblings. But that’s just my speculation. What I saw is in this 1.5 minute video clip. The last segment is on half speed to let you see more in detail how it went down.
After this incident Aspire tried to land in the nest one more time while I was still there. Lofty chased her a short distance before returning to Sindile in the nest. Wondering what had caused this seemingly serious dispute between the two best buddies, I walked to the bay side.
I was on my way home, on the other side of a busy street, when I heard Lofty getting very vocal for the third time. I tried to capture the drama, shooting pictures from quite a distance over and between passing cars (you should have seen me, good I didn’t get killed). The shots are not very sharp, but the sequence of events is even clearer than in the video. Like in slow-er motion. Although for the two siblings it was fast enough, I’m sure of that.
Poor Sindile didn’t want to know anything about the drama playing out while Mama Sandy was away. She turned her back and stared out into the distance. Maybe she was reflecting on the perils of fledging.
About an hour later, I checked on the chicks from my terrace. And saw all three in the nest. They didn’t talk, but at least they didn’t quarrel. The whole dispute, whatever it was about, was settled in good time before Sandy came back with fresh lunch. Such is life. Forgiveness always wins.
This is a scheduled post. I wish you all a great week and a wonderful weekend. See you next week 🙂
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
So fascinating!
They are quite something, aren’t they!
Wow, they have gotten so big! The flying shots are awesome~
Thanks Cindy! I wish I had been closer for the flying shots and was quite surprised I got the sequence at all 🙂
Oh, the growing pains! But they are growing so strong and bold, I can’t help but smile. Still, I feel ‘sad’ because one day they will leave the nest. Earlier this morning, my husband & I discovered a pair of swallows making a nest near the flat. We can’t wait to see how the following days/weeks play out! 🙂 Wishing you a great weekend ahead in advance.
I already feel sad that these young ospreys will only stay in the nest a few more weeks. Even Mama Sandy is away now for longer periods, perching close by, but she and Stanley still bring fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I hope you’ll see little swallows in a few weeks time 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend, Takami.
Wonderful! So glad you didn’t get run over taking pics!! 🙂
Thanks Mary Michelle! I survived, but the drivers looked quite long and hard at the crazy photographer 🙂
I get the same looks! It makes my husband worry, lol 🙂
Oh yes 😀
My goodness, what typical teenagers they are when there isn’t a parent around! 😉
Absolutely! When the cat’s away, the mice will play ~ whether osprey or human chicks 🙂
Oh that is quite a sibling upset – glad they’re all back in the nest. Super video and captures of the excitement! Hope you have a good week!
Thanks Kathy. I’m happy they settled it so fast…and I’m still wondering what happened between them. I’m enjoying my time away 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Siblings always have their fights, whether in human or animal kingdoms. lol Have a wonderful week! ❤
Yes, they do. I’m enjoying my time away…and the highlight will be tomorrow night 🙂 Have a great weekend my friend ❤
Have a wonderful time! ❤
What an interesting incident and so well documented. The video was excellent.
Happy you enjoyed the video, Susan!
Oh my gosh….such drama. Sindile will be afraid to leave the nest if that sort of treatment is in store. Fantastic photos, Tiny.
Thank you. I have a feeling that Sindile is not very eager to fly as yet. I hope Sandy and Stanley will keep feeding her until she can fish for herself.
Wow Tiny. Loved the video – especially the I said No! part. Amazing shots. What magnificent creatures these ospreys. And love their names too! Sharon xx
They are amazing, and very old birds. Family is everything for them, and they care so well for their offspring. Happy you liked the video. Have a wonderful weekend, Sharon. XX
Hi Tiny,
I am left amazed at those absolutely superb aerial shots. Such is indeed life. Persistence always pays!
Shakti
Thanks Shakti. It is a delight to be able to observe these birds ~ their family life is so endearing and full of action.
Your video gave to me a new perspective. Thank you. Very enjoyable post.
Happy you enjoyed the post and got a “live” perspective of these birds, Matti. Have a wonderful weekend.
Oh my, the risks you take to give us all the latest scoop!! Poor Aspire, I’m glad all was settled in the nest and I’m waiting with baited breath for the next installment in the drama! Great captures, Tiny!!
Happy you enjoyed their adventures, Amy! I’m a bit worried about little Sindile. She should have fledged already by end of last week…I hope Sandy and Stanley will keep feeding her even after the two others have learned to fish for themselves. I hope I’ll see her flying when I return from my trip next week.
Oh goodness, I never considered that she might have trouble fledging, or might not fledge! That would be awful! I hope she is airborne when you return!
I hope for that too!!
I have never seen anything like that! What an education!
I’m learning so much following this 5 bird family! And I’m happy to be able to share what I see. I’m also documenting the chicks developmental milestones…such fun!
Wow Tiny! I was on tenterhooks. Such great captures there!
The great egret with the reflections is a beautiful peaceful pause amongst the drama above.
You said before that they stay as a family for a while. I wonder if Lofty is thinking differently about that!
Fascinating dynamics that’s for sure.
Thank you for capturing it all for us!
I’m so happy you liked it, Val. The Egret, and the other guys, were close to the nest but wouldn’t be bothered by all the drama 🙂 Just before I left on my trip, I saw all three of them in the nest, but noticed Sandy spends much less time with them now. She brings the fish and sits a while and then leaves to perch somewhere close by. Just like Stanley. I think they are waiting to teach Lofty and Aspire to fish…
OMG… What incredible captures,Tiny! I’m so in awe… Thank you for the awesome post!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the drama, Amy. The best part for me was that everything ended well!
Sibling rivalry!!!
Tell me about that!!
What a lot of drama! Typical teenage sibling rivalry, I think. Wonderful photos and video, Helen. 🙂
Thank you Sylvia. Yes, I think these little disagreements are part of the growing pains, for ospreys as for us humans 🙂
You have terrific shots of birds Tiny! The babies are getting big!! 🙂
Thanks H.J.! I think the two oldest ones can get a fishing license soon 🙂
So glad you went back and checked on them!
Oh, I HAD to check…and know everything was okay before I left on my trip. I’m like a worried granny with these chicks.
and I am like a worried great-aunt a continent away!
Great to have your company!
Wow, they’ve grown up…
Almost at the age when they can get a fishing permit, at least the two older ones.
Wow, another wonderful blog, and amazing clear photos of your birds, I just love looking at them, thanks again for a wonderful post!
Happy you liked our birds! I’m away from them right now on a short trip…hoping to find the youngest chick airborne when I return next week.
Amazing post, Tiny!!! I am so happy to hear you did not get killed while taking these photos, but how you did it, I will never know! As for the fight, my jaw dropped as I watched. Thank goodness everyone was in the nest before Mama gets home. And yes forgiveness always wins out! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! Love, Amy ❤
Happy you enjoyed the little squabble of these teens, Amy. I’m on a short vacation until tomorrow night and already miss these feathered friends 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend Amy ❤
Sweet Tiny those pictures are fabulous and the video is most amazing. I so enjoyed them all. Thank you so much for coming by and congratulating us on our anniversary. The support group is still helping me a whole lot, I am so thankful I found it. Thank you so much for the thoughts and hugs dear friend. Hope you are doing well and having a nice weekend. Hugs, Mags
that wasn’t an amicable dispute, not really! “he called me…” “but he called me…first.” funny to see the sibling rivalry…even here. well, can be a good thing…competition, in moderation, is a healthy thing in anyone’s lives 😉
oh, how amazing big they are now!! have a lovely, sunny sunday 🙂