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 don’t stand a chance.
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).
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).
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
warming in the sunshine following a dip in the birdbath.
Adult male Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana).
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).
keeps Mama Osprey busy in the wetlands.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).
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).
with their brilliant plumage, their flashing blue heads really stand out at dusk.
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena).
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.
on a conspicuous perch, this hefty flycatcher does the work during the day that our bat friends do at night.
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).
keeps this flycatcher busy and it is now being frequently observed around the house.
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).
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).
around the feeding stations on occasion, this large flycatcher is caught relaxing in a cottonwood.
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis).
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).
in less than 40 years, this prolific dove is a common occupier of the feeding stations, here and nearly everywhere.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto).