between me and thee

The skies are filled with flying Ospreys. They swoop and glide, wings out stretched, as they discover their world. I can no longer capture them, they have grown out of the nest and into the air. They are so young and free and curious. I am left floating on my kayak sitting back with my camera in my lap. Time to watch and dream with them. Time to capture a drifting feather to help me reflect on what it means to fly.

In transition

Wings aren't speaking to each other, one folds while the other flaps. 

So here comes the little brave one to show them how.

Look out for your head I haven't gotten the landing down yet

So now it's your turn, go ahead you will love the way the wind feels under your wings. 

perspective

Sometimes you need to stand back from things in order to really see them. 

This is an Osprey's eye view of Oyster Bay Cove. Two littles have found themselves on the pier, while one little remains in the nest with mom. Dad as usual, sits on the piling at the end of the pier looking out for the resident Great Blue Heron. When he spots him he attacks and bullies him away form the nest. I know this because I can hear the heron squawk loudly from across the bay. I feel badly for the Heron, I think the Osprey is over reacting.

However all is calm now before the expected storm tomorrow.  

a wing and a prayer

The brave little one managed to get back to the nest in time for dinner.

Now the fun begins while I watch them practice their own flying skills.

Balancing seems to be an issue.

Let's hope her wing span doesn't knock another sibling out of the nest. They are all getting quite big now. 

view from below

I paddled across the bay early in the morning to check on the Ospreys. I've been so worried about the third chick. My heart sunk when I found only two in the nest, with mom and dad close by on the pier. No little bundle of feathers hidden behind the two siblings.

But wait! What! The third little guy had fledged!! There he sat on the railing of the dock, not far from the nest. I will admit he did look a bit scared and had the look of how did I get here! He also had the look of how do I get back there!

The two siblings looked on with awe...

and the little

brave one began to puff up with confidence.

Mom was proud.

wrens

I've been following our little wren family lately which enticed me to check my older wren images. This one shows dad bringing a beautiful moth for mom, who is peaking out of the nest, to except. He would then give it to her to feed the littles and he would fly off to gather more. Between the two of them they reared a fat little family. I am amazed that both parents are constantly flying and feeding. I will post my current family of wrens soon. I have filled the birdbath near their nest with hopes they will have a bit of spa time between flights. It's really hot out!

update

I think two of the three are doing well, but not sure about the other one. I sometimes see him lying down, you can just barely see his back feathers if you look carefully. I'm trying to stay happy for the two stronger ones. 

Now this makes me laugh. Check out the diving board that has been added to the back side of the nest. I think it's their take off platform for their first flight. Sounds about right don't you think!

summertime

Joy has returned to the butterfly bushes.

hydrangeas

Tully sits in the shade while I photograph the hydrangeas.

Grandma planted these many years ago. They are quite beautiful.

I also love the lace cap hydrangeas.

mockingbird

This mockingbird image is one of my favorites, so old fashion and peaceful. Love the pale celadon  background as he sits among the remains of last years blossoms. We visit each other most afternoons.

And when he flies off my heart skips as I hope to capture the moment of flight as he leaves one limb for another.

birds eye view

We have had this little bird house for at least ten years. It has been home to house wrens every summer. I love the chirping sounds of the babies in the nest.

This little guy peeks his head out to see what's going on with his new world. 

and his new world is pretty fabulous.

on my way

You don't always need to know where you're going, you just need to get in the boat and go.

fly bye butterfly

The backside of a butterfly.

fly by dinner

Dad is beautiful,

as he flies with the wind,

even able to do one legged holds with the family dinner,

while keeping an eye on me at the same time.

across the Bay

I have found my way to them over the years. A nest on top of the pier across from our house that has weathered storms and winds and human onlookers. The parents are amazing, but this year I am even more amazed because they have managed to have three littles, not two but three! Mom's

wings are raised trying to protect them from the burning sun, their little tongues are out trying to help keep them cool. Life is rarely easy on the pier between the boats and the elements.

One of my favorite aspects of following their lives is watching how they decorate their nest every year. This year we have a grocery store plastic bag, green and white ribbon and a lovely red ragged woven clam bag. It's on the other side of the nest, you can't see it. I will keep you posted on their progress. Bringing up three young ones will be difficult, they have to be on their own by this fall as their parents will leave them to fend for themselves by then. There is a lot of work ahead for this family...

my awesome guest blogger

My granddaughter age 8 took this image of me sitting on a stool on the point over looking the bay.  She is a budding photographer!

She has a good eye don't you think?

She is also learning to do a slow pan with her camera. 

And shooting with a fast shutter speed while I throw rocks into the Bay.

We shall keep an eye on this photographer!!