On our recent camping trip we were fortunate to see this Osprey nest.
The pictures are not as sharp as I would like, my lens is a 100-300 and not the sharpest.
We went out in the evening to get some shots of the birds on the nest. I couldn't see any chicks but was glad to watch and photograph the adults.
When we got home I noticed something below the adult on the right, was it a twig, the remains of a meal or?
Yes, I'm sure that is a little Osprey between the adults.
Even though we were quite a ways away, our presence made them nervous and the light was low so we left them in peace.
We returned in the morning when the light was better. No sign of the little one but a sharper image. These should enlarge (sometime they refuse) so that you can get a better look at the nestling.
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After a few days of camping we returned home. Always anxious for more birding opportunities I thought we should check out a nearby pond where Green Herons have nested the last several years. I've found them hard to photograph, they seem quick to spot me and the first I see of them they've taken to the air.
This time I had a bit of success, I spotted the Green Heron through the bushes and got a quick shot of his head before he took off.
Then an even bigger surprise, an osprey! It did a few circles over the pond and flew off to the north. I have never seen an osprey here. Our ponds are small and shallow and to me, they don't seem like good osprey habitat. I think it will find better hunting at some of the reservoirs.
Then I saw the tiniest quail I have ever seen. They couldn't have been more than a day or two out of the shell. Mom was calling and I barely had time to get a shot before they scurried under some shrubs.
Check out World Bird Wednesday, hosted by Springman, for more images of birds
35 comments:
You do so well photographing the birds. I'm just not very quick. Love the Osprey as they always meant Spring in the PNW.
Great bird shots. I really enjoyed seeing the osprey nest.
Wonderful post! We love watching the ospreys fishing at the cabin on Whidbey Island. And I'm always looking for a green heron at the wetlands, but have never seen one.
Good shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Lovely shots of the Ospreys.
I don't see them very often here, but such beautiful birds.
The little quail are adorable! I can never catch them with my camera, they are like fast rolling golf balls.
Beautiful. Quail chicks! Never saw that before. Look at the size of the Osprey nest! What a sight it is. Nice that you got back in the morning to get the lit up shot, what a difference light makes!
This is a delightful series of photos Martha. The Osprey's nesting is a sight to see and I loved those tiny quail you managed to capture.
Wow, such beautiful captures! I love the Ospey but even the green heron was impressive too!
Very nice captures! It looks as if you did very well with your 100-300. I love taking photos of Osprey.
Lovely images of your beautiful birds.
I am still pleased that I captured an image of an Osprey catching a fish a couple of weeks ago.
Only a record shot for me...your images are fantastic.
All great photos. The ospreys on the nest are beautiful - and those baby quail are so cute.
Terrific series!
What a great thing to find, this osprey nest! Beautiful. And the small quail babies are so sweet :)
Wonderful series of photos! The Osprey nest is cool and the baby quail look so cute.Awesome birds and sightings.
So beautiful captures!
How exciting to see the osprey! Wonderful shots.
Carolina Mts
No need to apologize for any of your pictures, Martha.
Nice shots of quite an assortment of birds. The Osprey shot with the little bobble-head chick is amazing.
I love the pictures of the osprey - Great job.
What wonderfully rich pickings from your camping trip!
That last shot of the Osprays is a gem, those eyes are hypnotising. Loved the family portrait with proud parents in protective poses over their offspring.
A great post altogether.
Hi there - I really like the osprey shots - they are such a wide spread bird, I like the fact I can watch the same species in Australia as I used to watch in the UK and you watch in the US. I rather like that.
Stewart M
I love this series of photos! I am forever trying to get the perfect shot of ospreys - an obsession - but I have never seen a quail.
Quail, osprey, heron--wow, I'd say you "hit the jackpot". Great photos and they look pretty sharp to me--better than my camera would do. Mickie :)
Wow, you got some incredibly wonderful shots there! Excellent!
Great photos Martha. Those Quail are so tiny!
Terrific, YES I saw the Chick in the nest!! I really am glad to hear you saw some quial we never see them here and yet there used to be SO MANY around.
Splendid captures of all your birds!
The Osprey nest photos are awesome.
The wee Quail chicks are so dang sweet.:)
How cool that you could nab a picture of a hummingbird sitting still. It seems to happen so rarely. I love the shot of the baby quail. I've only seen them a few times here in Virginia. They are quite beautiful. Hubs and I love bird watching. Little Bit also likes to look out of our big windows and watch the thrashers and robins in the lawn.
The Osprey were great catch BUT the baby quail were so precious!
I love to watch the osprey as they come back to the nest with all their goodies. Great pictures and post.
Martha, a magnificent bit of birding and photography. I am so glad you have a respect for wildlife and don't disturb the birds in search of good photos. I always feel that way also!
Martha -- that was an incredible birding day! I am so impressed....
I didn't know there had been tornadoes in CA (your post above; I'm catching up).... we are heading for Colorado, across part of tornado alley -- weather radio is tuned up....I guess you can't be sure of safety anywhere though.
Be safe. And thank you for the lovely birds.
Those osprey shots are amazing. The view of the chick is wonderful.
I also loved the quail chicks.
Great series! I'm still looking for my first green heron.
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