Chick Update...Leaving soon.

[SMB2]

The Osprey chicks are all full grown and feathered. The red eyes are the only thing that distinguishes them from the adults. That and the chicks are not flying yet; but they are trying.
The parents only stop by the nest to drop in some fish. They no longer feed the chicks. Pretty soon the adults will feed the kids less and less to get them to leave.
I tried that at my house but it didn't work.

Good looking Kids.




Working on flying




Lift Off



Dad brings in a snack

[rdiscus]

Awesome pictures, love them

[joanstone]

Wow, great job. Thanks for sharing.

[Disgirl]

What wonderful pics! I have something interesting to tell you about the nests they build. I work at an aquarium at the beach and near by, out in the sound, which leads to the ocean, is a big Osprey nest. The nest is many years old. It has chicks who just left. Two years ago we had a bad hurricane here, and it destroyed the newly built dock at the aquarium, it was well built with lots of heavy timbers. The dock got broken apart and floated away. But the Osprey nest about 100 feet away on a wooden platform, didn't budge in the high wind and wave action! They are really well built nests.
Barb

[Moon]

The snack looks a chiclid.

[SMB2]

Barb, they are amazing builders. This nest is two years old and withstood 70 mph winds last year. The birds are mostly monogamous and come back year after year to the same site, adding to the nest each year. They will use sticks and any garbage they like.
This nest has police "caution" yellow tape in it. The construction can weigh a couple hundred pounds.

Moon, maybe! but not a Discus!!! Mostly catfish and shad here.

[Joe]

Awesome photos!!!!!!!!

Joe

[sandy]

Nice pic


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[nc0gnet0]

Not quite what I expected when I seen "chick update" but way cool anyways!

[SMB2]

Sorry nc
But it did get your attention! I have been posting under photos several images of this nest as the Ospreys have been growing. The site is so accessible and the birds so tolerant that it is hard not to document their progress. So I photograph them a couple of times a week.