I don’t have as many Osprey opportunities as folks do back east so when I get a chance to observe and photograph their behaviors I take it.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
This mated pair was incubating eggs at Flaming Gorge two summers ago and I watched them exchange places on the nest often enough that I noticed some behavior patterns I found interesting. The female does about 70% of the incubation and I don’t think the male is as dedicated to his nesting duties as she is because he was often very anxious to be relieved. If he thought she was overdue he would call out to her as she perched nearby and he was out of the nest in a flash when she eventually returned.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Here the larger female (dark “necklace”) is landing on the nest and the male is apparently already planning his escape route.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
The female had barely folded her wings when the male (no discernible necklace) was out’a there. No matter which bird was leaving the nest, the one left behind would always duck down like this to avoid having its head taken off by the wings of the launching Osprey.
The somewhat unusual background in these images is a mountain in shade. I like the backdrop for its novelty – most images of this species at the nest I’ve seen have sky in the background.
These are images I haven’t posted before but when I posted other shots of this Osprey pair soon after these photos were taken, Mike Shaw made what I thought was an astute observation in a comment:
“They seem to inhabit their own world, not worrying too much or drawing too much attention from other avian species. They get a free pass from normal territorial birds due to their non-competing fish diet and they’re big enough that others don’t eat them. The Swiss of the bird world – neutral citizens.”
Mike’s comment has always stuck with me. I have never seen a dispute between an Osprey and another hawk, falcon or owl – behavior which is extremely common among most raptor species. An exception among raptors is the Bald Eagle which also eats fish and Mike of course is keenly aware of that. Great Horned Owls are also known to occasionally prey on Osprey but normal territorial disputes with other raptors seem to be relatively uncommon.
Ron
Ron, your informative blog is very enjoyable. I am learning from your observations and appreciate the time you take to share your images and the knowledge you are gaining as you watch the beautiful birds you photograph.
Stunning photos – a real joy to behold! In years past there have been osprey nests across the road from where I live, but I’ve never had the honor of seeing anything like what you portrayed here. Much appreciated!
Lovely series and wonderful to see them so clearly with your commentary. Indeed a very nice background.. the Ospreys that nest on the log pilings on the Maplewood Mudflats where I live have a background of an oil tank ‘farm’ and an oil refinery! We are just 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver, so I suppose we were are blessed to have these magnificent birds nesting here each year, regardless of backdrop. 🙂
Ron,
Sorry to add even more to my long post but in keeping with your interest in behavior.
I went back and looked at my notes to some of my photos:
The male was sitting on a rail eating a fish when the female made a soft call and he flew back to the nest with the fish. She picked the fish up with her beak and flew from the nest to a nearby pole, transferring it to her talons before landing.
This was in May, so she I don’t think the chicks would have hatched yet.
Hi Ron,
Nice shots as always. Osprey are very common, as you know, in the Pacific Northwest. A pair raised a family for many years atop a cell phone tower about a half mile from my house. Several springs ago a pair of Bald Eagles ousted them and they moved about a half mile in the opposite direction from my house.
A pair raised three chicks the last two years on pilings off shore from the Chambers Bay Golf course (home to the US Open in 2015). I spent many hours the last two summers watching them bring home fish. Something I saw more than once was the male bringing in a fish for the female. He would eat the head off, then bring it to the nest. She would fly off a bit and eat at her leisure. The pilings are scheduled to be taken down so I’m not sure what will happen to the nest.
Interesting to see the comments about their neutrality. I’m taking a Hawk class from Bud Anderson, and he said that they are quite docile when captured to be banded. Another photographer showed me shots he had of a Peregrine Falcon attacking a juvenile Osprey. There was no fish involved, the Peregrine was going after the Osprey.
Cell towers seem to have become the nesting site of choice out here which causes many problems. Bud told how they went through the contents of an Osprey nest on a tower that was near a dump. The Osprey had brought back plastic bags of garbage to line the nest. The most interesting object they found — a black bra.
Pilings at our mudflats were preserved for the nesting Ospreys. We also have a craft neighbour who has placed many Purple Martin nesting boxes on them. Our mosquito population is kept very bearable by these wonderful aerial acrobats. I hope yours don’t get taken down!
Bald eagles definitely watch for osprey with fish and go after them … we’ve had some young osprey come in with punctures because, we think, they didn’t yet know to just let go of the fish! But osprey do nest fairly close together without apparent problems, given the concentration of their food resource – one year we had 23 active osprey nests around one reservoir. I have seen crows going after one carrying a fish – I suspect it was the fish it was after. Can’t say I’ve seen a lot of mobbing otherwise. They do eat things other than fish, however – lots of different prey remains found in nests and eye witness accounts of them going after a pigeon or a squirrel… but the percentage of the non-fish prey items is very very small. I love the description of them as Switzerland!
Thanks so much for the background info, Louise. Your comments are always so knowledgeable and interesting.
Good morning, Louise–I also enjoy your comments…and just wanted to tell you so. I also appreciate the manner in which you share. your information, experience and expertise. What part of the country do you live/work in? Keep up the good work of patching up the supposed to be flying wounded. Do you work with other critters in need, too…or just birds?
Two observations:
I haven’t seen Osprey conflict with other raptors either, but the Red Tails around here (Ohio) don’t share the same ecological niche. You are right about Eagles, though, as I have seen a group of six or seven nesting Osprey work together to drive off an immature eagle in their territory.
Regarding vocalizations, I’m not sure that we can always hear the sounds they make. I routinely watch Osprey sitting quietly on their nests, and then suddenly start crying loudly. Sure enough, about a minute later the mate will show up with a fish. It seems obvious to me that the nesting member of the pair was already aware of the partner’s impending return, though it wasn’t through any communication that I could detect.
Bruce, I wonder if it wasn’t simply the fact that the nesting bird saw its mate coming when it was still far away and beyond human visual acuity…
I considered that, but it can be as much as a minute or more between when they start to vocalize and when the partner shows up.
Plus, the area where they fish is quite a ways away from the nesting site, for down the twisting reservoir. I consider it much more likely that there is an audible signal than a visual one.
Great shots. Typical male. Doesn’t want to take care of the kids. It’s always all on the Mother!!! lol
Well, that was an offensive remark…
It was a joke!! That’s why the LOL was at the end!! And we’re talking about birds here!!
I don’t think a similar joke about how it is typical for the woman to be sitting at home while the man goes out to do all the work would be funny either.
As a single father with custody who dealt with more discrimination from courts, schools, and acquaintances than you can imagine, the subject is a sore spot for me.
That’s all I’ll say about this.
God morning, Bruce–I’ve tutored as well as taught in schools for more years than I’m willing to admit to. I was lucky enough to tutor for 4 or 5 Stay-at-home dads and 3 or 4 single parent dads who shared challenges similar to yours. I found them AMAZING parents. ..Re: creativity, sensitivity, common sense, steadiness and open affection. I was most impressed with their ability to NOT get flustered. You’re a member of a very special group! By the way…some of us make “witty” remarks from time to time that flat or unintentionally ( this tends to be an unusually kind, compassionate bunch) hits a sore spot…How well I know!!!I. In facts that’s why I limp. It’s hard not to when you have one foot permanently stuck in your mouth
That’s supposed to read, “good morning, Bruce…my evil iPad often does its own thing…NUTS!!!
Thank you, Ellen.
Has Mike Shaw done any writing? I really like his way with words…”They seem to inhabit their own world….the Swiss of the bird world..neutral citizens”. Reading that quote reminded me that,even when the alewives are running, and the air is swarming with hungry birds (including osprey), I’ve never seen one squabbling with another, or try to snatch another’s catch. They do their own thing. Gulls and eagles try to get everything they can, anyway they can, but osprey have “manners”. I’ve never seen one try to steal another bird’s fish. The other birds don’t seem to view them asa threat.
Patty, I’m unaware if Mike has done any serious writing or not but if not he certainly should. I’ve always enjoyed how well he turns a phrase, even in private emails.
You’re pretty darned good at it yourself…especially at writing “grabbers”…If I didn’tn know better, I might think you’d taught LA, so….I hereby declare you an honorary LA teacher(retired)’in good standing!!!
Hi Patty, I’ve been traveling recently and missed this post of Ron’s along with your kind words regarding writing. Yes, I’ve done a bit here and there for magazines and newsletters, but getting a sentence on paper is almost as painful as (insert overused teeth pulling, hammer on nail type phrase here), so I sidestep the activity whenever possible 😉 You mentioned alewives! Last summer I visited a historic alewive ladder in Maine connecting the Atlantic with Damariscotta Lake. The old field stone ladder was an impressive visual, made even more so by the ten foot high osprey sculpture installed at the top. Glad you get to see the real thing!
Hi, Mike–that’s the fish ladder we get to see…and the huge, wooden osprey in the mills at the top. The ladder has just been rebuilt..the result of a lot of fundraising and physical effort…guess you got to see the “boil of birds” as the fish made their run for Lake Damariscotta to spawn…osprey, eagles, and gulls–so stuffed they couldn’t fly…or even completely swallow the last gobbled up fish…strutting around slowly with the last half of a fish sticking out of their greedy bills. They talk about “letting the fish relax”, a sad euphemism for suffocate/die, before shoveling them into barrels for the fishermen and lobstermen waiting below with their pick up trucks. I’m glad to hear you write, because I think your “wordsmithing” would bring a lot if pleasure to a lot of people.. I say “wordsmithing” , because although your words have a wonderful, easy “flow”, as you say, writing often involves “hammering out” the words…more sweat and agonizing than may realize. I’d like to read more…where should I look? PS: Don’t forget to adore Jerry Liguori…and let him know it!!!
Three beautiful images…especially like the composition and gracefully extended wing in the second frame…like ballet. Love the wing position in the third, also. We are lucky enough to see more osprey in Maine, but never get to see the detail or closeups of behavior that you share with us….it helps me see “our” osprey differently, a richer experience…thank you for that!
Thank you very much, Patty.
Nice sequence and interesting observations. I like the dark BG.
Thank you, Dave.
Great sequence, Ron
Those wings are dangerous in flight. I have been clipped by a peregrine when feeding and actually got cut.
So well the incoming osprey should beware.
Thanks
I’ve had some experiences with wings hitting me too, Diana. I was surprised by the impact.
Wonderful!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Great shots Ron, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Dick.