Bay Photos by Donna

I’ve debated myself on whether to post on this just yet, as those of you who have followed my blog for some time know I’ve been wishing with fingers crossed that a pair of Osprey will find our community’s empty nest platform desirable as a home after our beloved previous Osprey pair, Oliver and Olivia, did not return last year.  I don’t want to jinx!  BUT since Memorial Day (May 27th) a pair of Osprey appear to have taken possession of the platform and have started making a nest.  🙂

This pair seem to be young and have possibly paired up for the first time this season, evidenced by the late start on finding a home and the inexperience of getting the nest started.  Sometimes they’ve looked a bit bewildered at it all!  Some of expressions are priceless.  It is too late in the season for them to mate, but that’s all in due time next year, now they will bond and work together to protect their new home if they decide to keep it, which so far they are chasing other area Osprey away and acting as if they own it.

This series of photos are not the best in quality but I wanted to share these primarily for my community followers who’ve been as eager as I have, but also to my other followers to share them and the massive smile on my face!  🙂

To start, this Osprey pair have actually been occupying Lippincott’s Channel Marker No. 3 that I can see at a distance off to the left of my balcony for some time.  They stayed on that marker most of the time, and then would visit our platform to eat a fish and perch for a while.  Back and forth I’ve watched them.

Then several days ago I watched them begin to build a nest on the marker, which is a solid piling, flat on top.

Osprey pair trying to start a nest on Lippincott’s Channel Marker No. 3

Sticks are not staying on the marker

As you can see, the sticks and other nesting materials have fallen or gotten knocked off the channel marker as they’ve landed and departed from the marker.  There’s just no room!

May 26 – Our platform is still empty of nesting materials as one visits.

Okay, so where else could they build?  They must have had a discussion the evening of May 26.  Here’s what I found the next morning on our platform!  🙂

Morning of May 27th

Yes, this’ll work! (female on left, male on right)

As the male shifts some sticks around, three get knocked off into the water.

One of the fallen sticks

The male Osprey looks down at the fallen sticks.

Darn it!

Off to fetch stick #1.

Got it!

Heading back to the platform.

Here I come!

Don’t hit me!

Now stick #2!

Score!

Placing stick in front of female as a gesture of bonding.

And now after stick #3!

Don’t hit me!

Time for a break after that workout!

That series of photos all occurred in just ten minutes.  What entertainment they provide!  The next morning, the pair rests amongst more sticks!

Platform the next morning, May 28 –  More sticks!

May 29 evening

Osprey pair taking a break on channel marker.

The next photo is from this morning.  The nest is coming along nicely!

This morning, May 30th

Just before leaving for work this morning, I took another photo to show the work they did in the hour I was getting ready.  Interesting architecture!

Flag pole!   🙂

Well, I was hoping it would still be there this evening but the new ‘flag pole’ has disappeared, either it fell or is laying down within the platform.

This evening, May 30th

What entertainment they provide out in the open for us to enjoy so easily!  This young Osprey pair are a bit skittish of us, they will fly off if a walker comes along or a lot of movement is occurring on our balconies.  So I’ve been trying to photograph from inside through an open slider so they don’t catch a glimpse of me.  I want them to stay and be comfortable as they learn to co-habitat with us as Osprey will do.

So can you see the massive smile on my face?!!  🙂  Now, time will tell if they stay or move on.  But I am certainly hoping they are here to stay for the season.

I hope you enjoyed, and thanks so much for stopping by!