The Wonderful Ospreys of Del Mar, Part 2 starts with my
quick jog following after the male Osprey with the catch of the day to the Osprey's nest site. I spot one fledgling in the nest and
mom on the lookout post next to the nest. The male is spotted on his favorite
utility pole about 100 ft north east of the nest eating the tasty Yellowfin Croaker.
Mom and
Dad Ospreys have done a great job raising the youngsters. They both
have fledged and are looking healthy and alert. My first look at the nest as I spot one fledgling.
First flight usually occur at about 51 to 54 days after
hatching. The only major predators are Great Horned Owls, Golden Eagles, and Bald Eagles. They are able to take nestlings and adults. Raccoons can also threaten
the nest. The nest in Del Mar has a large metal band around the pole holding
the nest to prevent rats and raccoons from accessing the nest.
The youngster on the nest decides to take flight. This
photo really shows the white feather tips (fish scale pattern) on his wing
feathers typical of a young Osprey.
Mom is still on her lookout pole next to the nest.
Dad is busy feasting on his catch of the day. LOL, the
fish must have tasted too good to take it immediately to the nest.
Dad Osprey really enjoying his catch.
The fledgling from the nest flies to a small utility
pole near Dad. Mom Osprey joins the fledgling. She is shown perched at the top
of the pole.
I walk up closer to dad Osprey and take a close-up of
him enjoying his meal.
The fledgling decides to come back to the nest.
He decides to go for a short loop.
Heading back to the nest.
Back to the nest.
Here comes dad osprey to the nest with lunch.
He flies by very close to where I am standing... full frame!
Makes a loop right before the nest. He appears to be
showing that he has food for the youngsters. He is coaxing the other fledgling
that is not in the nest to fly back to the nest. The other fledgling is perched
on a post about 300ft east of the nest. She may have a little confidence problem
and dad is trying to entice her to fly back to the nest with a nice piece of
juicy fish lunch. It is just a guess that the fledgling on the east pole is a
female.
Close-up of the beautiful talons. The surface is
rough for a more secure grip of the fish. The outer talons are flexible and can
rotate forward. They can carry a prey with three toes forward and one back or
with two toes forward and two back for a more secure carry of the prey.
The fish is claimed by the fledgling at the nest.
Dad watches as the youngster takes his prize.
Dad osprey on our right keeps an eye on the youngster
and stays on the nest for protection from intruders.
Wow, I didn't see the second fledgling flying towards
the nest but I managed to capture her landing. Look at the huge wings! I believe
this one to be a female just because she appears so large.
What a gorgeous youngster!
She moves forward towards the other youngster and goes
in for the steal. Dad stays out of the way.
She has taken the fish away from her nest mate. Dad
keeps alert to his surroundings.
Here comes mom osprey to the nest.
She heads for her lookout post. You can see the top of dad
osprey's head at the bottom left of this photo. He is watching her fly in.
Female Ospreys are larger than the males. like many raptors. Females can be up to 30 percent larger than males.
Even though dad osprey (shown on the right) has had a
large amount of this tasty fish, he still looks at the youngster taking a large
bite with a look that says, " I could go for more of that fish".
Cherishing every yummy bite.
It's time to head for home and I get a last shot of
the other nestling that got his meal stolen by his sister and is looking a little
sleepy. He will rest up and I'm sure he will be testing his wings again soon.
A Great Egret flies over us . A beautiful sight with
the light coming through its wings.
A Double-crested Cormorant also flies over. It's been a
super birding day with friends watching the wonderful Ospreys of Del Mar and we
hope to come back soon.
Happy Mother's Day! Have a safe and fun weekend everyone.
