Welcome Back to the Ospreys

Yesterday was the first day back for the family. They found the nest very quick and were quick to stake out a claim.

 Nothing like a good scratch to loosen up the feathers after a long flight.

 

 The Athabasca River is pretty much open and flowing fast so food shouldn't be a problem.





The Rotary Park pond is still frozen so the Rainbow Trout are safe for a while.

This Mallard Hen is expressing her displeasure at the  dump of snow that came yesterday. I am sure the Ospreys can second that!

A Really Hot Day!

It was one of those non-ambitious days where I needed a walk, but not too big a one. The local watering hole came up with this Blue Winged Teal.

There was also this Belted Kingfisher. Not the best photo, but I now know where he is hanging out.

This pair of Green Winged Teal were resting. Well, the male was looking for food!

The Ospreys are back and nesting on the same platform they used last year.The one was intent on enlarging the home.

There was some interesting flying.

They are a massive bird

Stick after stick kept coming in!

This was a different way to land!

The male kept his eye on me. I was very close to the nest.

There were a few Mallards around

Also a few geese practicing water skiing.

Last For the Season!

The little guy still looks small on the nest

 Until he starts flapping his wings.

 His sibling is no longer in the nest, and I figure one more day this one will be gone.

 A good gust of wind would get him airborne.

 In the meantime, it's stretch and flap, and strengthen the muscles.

 In the meantime, Momma Osprey is keeping a close eye on her chick, and me. More so, me.

 All the geese, adults and goslings, have left the pond, except for this one.

So, no more osprey pictures for another year. And every one said " Yeah!"

Fun With the Ospreys

 This appears to be the equivalent of a dog Mohawk when he's not happy.

I was so focused on getting the Big Momma shot, I didn't even notice Junior in the corner! Actually, there may be two in the corner!

Zooming in, she looked kind of ferocious. I don't think I would want to try climbing the pole!

 Oops. Up comes the head again!

You, down there! You want a piece of me? Bring it on!

Another Outing

It was a cooler day today and after looking how comfortable Daphne was (she really likes her comfort), and looking at Brooklyn lying half under the bed, I figured a walk was in order.

All the Chickadee, Tree Swallow, and Wren babies are  now gone, and that says basically it was time to get an update on the park critters. The geese are all about the same now, and it's hard to tell the babies from the adults.

 Not much difference in size!

 The Osprey is still sitting and so far I have not seen any fuzzy heads poking up.

 When the dogs get too close, they head for open water.

I will have to start checking out a few more places.

On another hot, hot day we went to Rotary Park to give the dogs some exercise before the afternoon heat storm hit. Actually, it looks like ALL of Alberta is on a Tornado watch due to conditions.

 I was really surprised how much the baby geese have grown! 

 Our little town pond hatched out quite a few this year.

 Nothing to report on the Osprey nest. I can't tell if she is sitting on eggs, or keeping chicks cool. 

 It appears that Daphne is joining Brooklyn as a water dog. She loves it! Some dogs retrieve sticks. These two fetch logs.

 It is going to take Daphne a long time to dry off.