What you see is what you get

 

What am I looking at you say?

Well you are looking at the front end and the back end of the babies. They have just been fed. And the one on the right is pooping out the birdhouse door. Yep you heard me right.

Mom and dad bring in the goodies and take out the goodies. 

I wondered why sometimes a parent would fly in without something to eat. My patience paid off as I began to realize that they were housecleaning as well as feeding. They carry off the white poop from all of their babies. Can you imagine?

Stop chirping, you'll wake the hawk, I'll be back once I drop this off.

a buffet

spider for baby number 2

moth for baby number 3

And repeat..... every ten minutes. 

Wait till you see tomorrow's blog, a first for me!

farm to table

Tiny creatures for tiny birds.

one fed two to go....

close quarters

While the three baby osprey grew up in their big

nest in the sky these baby wrens have an entirely different experience. They are jam packed into this tiny bird house with only fleeting glimpses of the great outdoors.  Must feel like a great blinding light as they search for their next meal from their parents.

rhythms

 Just as you begin to depend on the constant mesmerizing progression of waves lapping at your feet, a rip tide appears and changes your view. A reminder that nothing stays the same. We are wired to push back and resist change but when we give in to the pull of the tides our spirit can receive the energy of the sun.

flutterby

Beautiful with her imperfect wing. Her legs barely touch the butterfly bush as she lands and takes off again.

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.