tiny feathers

Nellie is a fabulous mother.

 She feeds each chick one at a time.

 When the first one is full he/she moves away and the next one lines up. 

And so it goes till the third one is full. 

I have watched this happen almost every time she feeds them a meal. 

But now it's getting exciting! 

The chicks have discovered their wings and enjoy flapping them.

Can you zoom in and see each developing feather on the tips of the chicks wings?

It's truly amazing.

fleeting moments

A breeding male Great Egret arrived in the cove last night,

looking for a meal.

He found it!

and left me standing there with camera in hand wondering if I captured any of it!

listen carefully

Mom is having a little talk with the chicks about getting too close to the edge.

They are listening intently.

But just in case they forget she is bringing in backup support.

just in time

Before the big fade I gathered tiny blossoms from the garden and placed them on my light box.

I had to work fast as handling them exhausted their fading energy and they began to wilt.

But now I have some memories that will last a long time.

I love the hydrangea most of all, I think it's because of it's depth and fragile nature.

Maybe I'll try painting this one.

just another day

Look at these little faces.

 Two of the three are looking for mom who has flown the coup.

She leaves them alone every so often much to my dismay.

I'm sure she knows what she's doing but until she returns just call ME Nellie.

When she leaves I have watched her through my binoculars.

She flies above the bay and heads over to the other side.

Sometimes she lands on the shoreline and dips her feet in the water. 

I think she just needs a bit of spa time.

But she always returns with a bit of something for the nest.

Today Artie, the hero of this family, brought in a much needed stick.

The chicks are getting big and moving around in the nest. 

I worry one will fall out. 

Apparently Artie worries about it too.

Mom goes back to her duties feeding the three chicks from the fish Artie had delivered earlier.

I foresee an afternoon nap for this little family.

I think I'll join them. This is all so exhausting......

I love Artie

There is no indication that he is coming in with a meal.

Total silence from the nest.

If I'm not standing there with my camera and remote button 

I would never know he was coming in

with a different fish every time.

So capturing his incoming fish flights is a thrill for me.

However a bigger thrill for Nellie,

Who immediately sets to ripping the meat from the fish and feeding her littles.

Who, by the way, are growing very fast! 

A first look

First there was one.

Then there were two.

And now there are three.

I'm exhausted just watching them take care of their young family.

They will be ready to take their first flight in about 7-8 weeks.

Can you imagine the work that needs to be done by Artie and Nellie to get them there!

We have much to look forward to.

An Osprey message

Nellie and Artie have an announcement.

Our eggs are hatching.

Yes we did it, after all of this hard work we did it!

Now we need to work together to feed and protect our innocent and vulnerable little chicks.

Now the real work begins...

the giving tree

We have a great mother tree in our yard.

She has provided love and support to birds, squirrels and children.

And maybe a raccoon or two,

 and a woodchuck

and things that go bump in the night.

So now she has a cozy hole that has made a perfect nest for these darling starlings.

Well at least mom thinks they're darling.

I shall keep and eye out on the other cavities to see who moves in next.