for a fishing Osprey on a ponderosa pine snag, observed today attempting to grab breakfast from a wetland pond, though unsuccessfully.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Well-coordinated carp-herding pelicans...
working a wetland pond for breakfast as a united flotilla, seemingly surrounded by glistening diamonds due to strong backlighting by the Sun. Between these and the Osprey, the fish that occupy these pools don’t stand a chance.
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).
Last time sharing the platform nest...
together this afternoon, caught at the moment when Mama Osprey takes off - seen below - and Junior launches shortly thereafter with little fanfare. Godspeed, Junior!
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Another sushi delivery by air...
by Mama Osprey, yet again, this evening. She’s going to have to starve this capable fledgling in order to get this nest potato to launch.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Operation Fledge Watch...
continues through another evening with Junior content to hang out at the platform nest while Mama Osprey continues to deliver fresh fish.
Mature female ‘Mama’ Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) perched nearby and calling to Junior on the platform nest.
‘Junior’ Osprey discovering and exercising its wings while waiting for a free meal. It’s fully capable of flight and just needs to take the big leap.
The tempo of life of a wildlife photographer is somewhat similar to that of a soldier: Long periods of interminable boredom punctuated by brief moments of intense chaos.
Failure to launch...
today because Mama keeps feeding Junior fresh fish. Why leave home and work for food when you can have it delivered, the avian equivalent of Grubhub or DoorDash?
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) with fish in talons.
This fledge's first flights...
consisted of short hops and hovering maneuvers this morning and late afternoon, no more than five to ten feet (2-3 m) above the platform nest, nicely oriented into the stiff breeze. Tomorrow’s the big graduation day, I’d bet.
Juvenile Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
An effective synchronized fishing team...
works the wetland pond, as if mowing the lawn back and forth, herding and gulping carp in the process. Seems quite successful.
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).
Telephoto images caught with my smartyphone. Not bad.
A properly potty-trained fish hawk...
projectile pooping in the preferred direction from the nest platform. But mother Osprey (not seen here) could be a better housekeeper.
Juvenile Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) assuming the position in the platform nest.
It’s amazing what you can capture at 120 yards (110 m) with a 500 mm prime lens, shooting at 1/1,000th of a second.
A slightly soggy bluebird...
warming in the sunshine following a dip in the birdbath.
Adult male Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana).
Pre-flight practice sessions...
are in order, especially given the long drop from the platform nest. Junior is stretching its wings as it gets ready to fledge.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Two hungry mouths to feed...
keeps Mama Osprey busy in the wetlands.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
Two quarts of sugary nectar...
are consumed each week by a growing gang of hummingbirds as they increase their visits to the feeders as the temperature soars.
Female or immature male Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri).
Lighting up the feeding stations...
with their brilliant plumage, their flashing blue heads really stand out at dusk.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
In significantly reduced numbers...
this spring despite large flocks visiting the ground feeding stations during winter, the melodic songs of this member of the blackbird family have been missed. Here’s one today perched at the summit of a cottonwood doing his thing.
Male Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) belting out its song.
King of the treetops...
on a conspicuous perch, this hefty flycatcher does the work during the day that our bat friends do at night.
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).
Maintaining a nearby nest...
keeps this flycatcher busy and it is now being frequently observed around the house.
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).
A face that only a mother could love...
but they sure are dee-licious. Credit goes to the first person who thought to put this thing in their mouth.
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).
Paying a social visit...
around the feeding stations on occasion, this large flycatcher is caught relaxing in a cottonwood.
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).
You can dress them up...
but you can’t take them out without teaching them some table manners. Chew your food with your mouth closed and use a napkin to be polite.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).