Spring is Really Here!

+22C (74)F and everybody was laying around enjoying the sun.

 This Red Necked Grebe was cruising around. Brooklyn wanted a piece of him, but I had her on the leash.

 The breeding plumage is impressive! I didn't see the female around. She was probably in the weeds.

 The male Osprey was standing guard over the nest. I could see a head in the nest so I guess you will be bored with chick pics in a few weeks.

 The talons are quite impressive. He took off and caught a trout in the pond. I missed take off and also the catch. There was a tree in the way!

 Time for a little preening.

 They are one of my favourite birds!

 Everybody was preening! Got to look good for the ladies.

 Geese seem to really like the pond this year.

Heading South

Today they were very nervous and very skittish. I don't think they will be around much longer.

Just Like Kids

There comes a time when they are ready to leave the nest, but just won't go! Why go when mom will bring you fresh fish each day?

 Mom is a busy bird, coming and going to look after this chick.

 I've got it good, and I will go when I am good and ready! Quit making waves! After all, it's only September 3. Besides, what will that guy with the camera do, if I leave?

Still Hanging Around!

Mom and this chick are still hanging around

End of a Cycle (Or Start of a New)

It was very interesting to follow the Ospreys from first nesting to first flight.

 There is only one baby left in the nest, and he is exercising his wings regularly. The other two chicks have left.

 It will be interesting to see if they will return to the nest, or are gone till next year.

 I expect that they will be gone by the next time I take a walk down their way.I almost didn't walk down to the nest today. The last time I was there it appeared that they were getting close to departure.

 There has been a nesting pair on the post for the last 6 or 7 years.

 It's no wonder that the mom is sleeping a lot. She was a busy bird!

 Hopefully, they will return next year!

Just a Few More

Breakfast arriving! 

 Proud Daddy keeping an eye on things (me).

 It appears that there are three babies in the nest. This was the first time I got to see more than one at a time.

 I'm tough! Feed me! Or else!

 Yeah, feed me!

Fish Can Fly

Osprey dinner on the fly

Osprey Chick and Flickers

I kind of lucked out on this shot. From the ground, I could not see the chick up against his mother. It appears that this is a single chick this year.

 The Flicker was back at the ant hill eating away.

 She went to high alert several times, but did not fly.

 This was the "Too close, back off" look

 The baby kept an eye on me while Mom continued to scrounge food.

 Then at last, it was feeding time.

The End

A Hot, Hot day

I did my morning walk around the park plus a detour up the Sagitawa River to get some exercise for my back. Most of the critters were hunkered down in the shade some where and were very absent.

I saw hundreds of these small butterflies feeding in the wild flowers. This is the first time that I have seen this species and have no idea what their name is.

I also saw this fellow om the river flats. It is some sort of shore bird but not one that is readily identifiable in "The Audubon Field Guide to North American Birds". It could be the young of the year, I guess. It can fly very well, and was by itself.

The mother Osprey was shading the chick(s)? but I could not get a look at them today. She is one tough looking bird! Unfortunately, there is no way to get a look into the nest as it's located on a platform on top of a 30 foot telephone pole. One day I may catch them at feeding time. I would imagine they will be hopping around pretty good.

Northern Flicker

It was a cold, blustery, drizzly day, but I still decided to do my walk around Rotary Park. I was glad I did because I caught this Flicker out in the open, eating ants. He was quite content and laid back.

As far as the Ospreys go, I have only seen one head so far. If you look close you can see the chick .

Osprey Update

I haven't been over to the nest for about 4 weeks so I thought I would see what was new.

 I am assuming that this is the mama Osprey in a state of molt, and/or egg laying.

 The male showed up on the nest briefly and I missed his approach.

 He soon chose to sit on the top of a dead tree  to keep an eye on things.

Coming out of Hibernation etc.

I took a quick walk around Rotary Park yesterday just to see what was happening. The sun actually came out for the short time that i was there.

I caught this Muskrat swimming along the open space between the ice and shore. Yes, there is still ice! Lots of it!

I was hoping that he would come to shore, but he was just out for a cruise.

The Ospreys returned over the last two days, probably during a snow storm, and are staking out their old nesting site. The town built a platform on top of a telephone pole, and it's been used yearly for the last 8 years or so.

The old man prefers a top of a dead tree where he can keep an eye on things.

It's a start, and a sign that maybe better weather is coming. Rain and snow again this morning!