Bella & Beau 2018: All That New Flying Works Up An Appetite
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
August 5, 2018
Bella & Beau have gotten more reprieve from the past constant 24-7 care of their two OspreyTeens that are now eleven and ten+ weeks old. No longer does either parent have to stay perched on the nest.
Both OspreyTeens are now constantly flying about the area, mastering maneuvers, practicing landings, and even challenging intruders at a low-level (chasing gulls and swooping a Mallard).
OspreyTeen in flight.
OspreyTeen in flight.
OspreyTeens in flight.
OspreyTeen in flight.
When a rest is needed, the OspreyTeens will land and perch close-by or on the nest platform. Bella and/or Beau are usually perched nearby to still keep an eye on them.
OspreyTeen perched on the lightpost.
The lightpost is a favorite perch everyday.
A lightpost a favorite perch.
Both OspreyTeens perched on the pilings across the creek.
OspreyTeen on another piling.
OspreyTeens each on a piling. No longer the need for rooftops!
All that new flying works up an appetite! The OspreyTeens have not yet mastered how to hunt for fish; and boy, are they hungry. When an OspreyTeen thinks it’s past feeding time, it will perch on the nest platform and beg loudly to whoever will listen….
OspreyTeen begging for food.
Or even go where Mom or Dad are perched and beg to them from there.
Dad Beau (left) ignoring one of the OspreyTeens begging.
OspreyTeen (on the crane top) begging Mom Bella who is on the cell tower.
A hungry OspreyTeen begging one of the parents.
It’s usually not long before Bella or Beau will show up with a fish. Yes, even Bella is now helping to supply meals.
Bella delivering a fish.
“Yay, Mom’s here!”
Bella incoming with a fish.
Bella incoming with fish.
When Bella comes in with a fish and a chick is present (if one isn’t, it comes flying quickly from a perch), the OspreyTeens are still very obedient and passive. Mom Bella will most times still feed them.
Bella delivering a fish to a calm OspreyTeen.
Bella feeding an OspreyTeen.
Bella delivers a fish to an OspreyTeen who calmly and patiently waited to be fed.
Mom Bella feeding the OspreyTeens.
Bella delivering a fish.
Bella delivering a fish.
The second OspreyTeen flies in for its share.
Mom Bella delivering a fish and is spotted by the second OspreyTeen who decides to not miss out.
When Beau comes in with a fish and Bella is present, Bella again is in charge of the meal and will feed the calm chick(s).
Beau arriving with a fish.
Beau arriving with a fish.
Bella gets aggressive but the OspreyTeens stay calm.
Beau arriving to an aggressive Bella while the OspreyTeens stay calm.
But if Bella is not there, Beau has to deal with an aggressive, hungry chick at delivery. In this series, Beau (who was perched on a piling) catches a fish close to the nest before the delivery.
Beau snagging a fish alongside the nest platform.
Beau snagging a fish alongside the nest platform.
Beau snagging a fish alongside the nest platform.
Dad Beau delivering a fish.
Dad Beau delivering a fish.
The OspreyTeen becomes aggressive.
Dad Beau delivering a fish.
The OspreyTeen tries to take the fish away.
The OspreyTeen has the fish.
Dad Beau is quick to take flight.
Beau always tries to do a quick fish drop and get back in flight and away from the aggressive OspreyTeen(s).
Beau not wanting to tackle with the OspreyTeen.
OspreyTeen keeps begging.
Beau’s thinking twice. “Where’s Bella when I need her?”
The OspreyTeens learning curve is watching and imitating their parents. If you recall in past posts, the OspreyTeens are imitating what Mom Bella always did and still does when Beau arrives with a meal. Another teaching moment is that last series of Beau catching a fish alongside the nest while being watched by the begging OspreyTeen on the nest platform.
After the last eleven weeks of having practically no sibling rivalry, the OspreyTeens are now being…..well, teenagers! Whoever gets the fish from Dad Beau no longer wants to share. In fact, there’s been some aggression.
A little bit of sibling rivalry.
A little bit of sibling rivalry.
Sibling rivalry at feeding time.
Mom Bella is watching.
Sibling rivalry at feeding time.
Sibling rivalry at feeding time.
Sibling rivalry at feeding time.
Sibling rivalry at feeding time.
When the left OspreyTeen tries to get a bite, the right OspreyTeen becomes aggressive. Mom Bella is watching in the background.
The OspreyTeens begin to push and shove each other.
The OspreyTeens begin to push and shove each other.
The OspreyTeens begin to push and shove each other.
Some pushing and shoving ensues between the OspreyTeens.
Mom Bella made some loud noises and the scuffle stopped.
“Okay, truce? I’ll share.”
And just like that, the right OspreyTeen begins to shift the fish around to share with the other OspreyTeen.
As Mom Bella watches, the OspreyTeen begins to shift the fish around to share.
Moving the fish closer to the other OspreyTeen.
The other OspreyTeen takes the offering.
OspreyTeen begins to share fish with its sibling.
Both OspreyTeens now sharing the fish.
(Darn it, a cloud took my lighting away!)
Another display that Mom Bella rules the roost!
It won’t be long before the OspreyTeens begin fishing for themselves. Instinctively, Bella & Beau will slow down fish deliveries to force the OspreyTeens to go catch their own meals.
In addition, the last three days the OspreyTeens have been practicing “water dive and lift-outs” as well as skimming the water with their talons. Yes, they are almost ready!
A wet OspreyTeen after a practice dive and lift-out of the water.
OspreyTeen skimming the water.
The beautiful OspreyTeens!
My, my, my, how those little babies have grown and progressed into fine-looking Osprey!
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
Cassie Canvasback – Remember Me?
I’ve shared both in my “Bella & Beau” series and in separate posts as well on another of my Cambridge Creek regular ‘backyard’ feathered friends, Cassie Canvasback.
Hi I’m Cassie! How are you?
Cassie is a disabled female Canvasback I first started photographing back in April, with her featured post, She Is A Survivor. She was not able to migrate back to her Northwest U.S. or Canadian breeding grounds this past Spring due to a severely injured right wing. So she now lives here in Cambridge Creek full-time.
I am happy to say Cassie is still around, zigzagging up and down, back and forth, along the creek.
Cassie, a female Canvasback
I enjoy taking photos of her anytime she is near me.
Cassie Canvasback
No other Canvasback ducks stayed behind with her, so she is alone. On occasion, I have seen Cassie and a female Mallard swim along together for a while. I don’t know who is comforted by this more – me or Cassie.
Despite her right wing injury, Cassie appears quite healthy. She feeds along the bulkheads and pilings. Sometimes the side of a boat water line.
She makes me smile and feel joy every time I see her.
Cassie’s beautiful coloring.
Cassie Canvasback (taken from our boat)
I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
— Edward Everett Hale
Looking Down On A Great Blue Heron in Flight
Sometimes you just don’t know who’s hanging around you. Unbeknownst to me, this Great Blue Heron was hanging out on the dock right below my balcony. Someone coming along the walk path stirred him into flight. It was then I learned he was there. 😲
I shot down on that beautiful wingspan of the Great Blue Heron as he flew away.
Great Blue Heron in flight
That 6 foot wingspan gracefully flapping as he makes his turn…..
Such a gorgeous wingspan!
Gliding so beautiful down Cambridge Creek….
Letting everyone know he’s flying through….
“I’m just passing by, Bella, no worries!”
He made his way down past Bella and the OspreyTeens, landing on another dock to go back to his rest and fishing mode. Bella gave him clearance but we all know she kept her eye on him.
Bella & Beau 2018: Both Chicks Have Fledged
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
July 29, 2018
Two days after Bella & Beau’s last post, OspreyTeen#1 at ten weeks old caught a breeze during wingersizing and finally took its first flight on July 24. And for the rest of the day, we followed it around, flying from perch to perch, trying to figure out how to land back on the nest platform. With Mom Bella and OspreyTeen#2 still there, that surely didn’t leave much space to land!
We kept watch on the nest since the day before and the morning of, hoping to see the first flight. My husband saw OspreyTeen#1 leave the nest just before 9:00 a.m. As I hurried onto our balcony, I saw it land on a townhome rooftop. As I tried to get my camera on it, OspreyTeen#1 was losing its footing and took off again. Here’s my first flight shot of it leaving the roof.
OspreyTeen#1 back into flight after leaving it’s first flight perch alongside the exhaust pipe.
OspreyTeen#1 was then chased by a territorial Mockingbird. A lot of ‘firsts’ already!
Just imagine what OspreyTeen#1 must be experiencing/feeling now.
I think I see a smile….
After a couple of laps around the nest platform with a few attempted but failed landings on it, the wind caught OspreyTeen#1 and it went up over our roof.
OspreyTeen#1 going up over me on my balcony.
OspreyTeen#1 going up and over and out of sight.
Mom Bella circled our roof for a while, then perched up on the Cambridge water tower, giving the notion OspreyTeen#1 was perched on our rooftop or very nearby. Dad Bella was close by as well, helping to keep an eye on the family.
Both Osprey parents keeping tabs on the OspreyTeens.
Bella on Cambridge water tower. Beau on the DNR barge piling across from the nest.
Taking that first flight was awesome, but now returning back to the nest platform is another feat to be mastered.
It wasn’t until almost Noon before we saw OspreyTeen#1 making laps around the nest platform, trying to land again; but it was crowded with Mom Bella and OspreyTeen#2.
OspreyTeen#1 gave up quickly and flew over and landed awkwardly on top of the crane.
OspreyTeen#1 landing on top of the MD DNR crane around noon.
Mom Bella swooped over and landed alongside OspreyTeen#1.
A conversation occurred, and then Mom Bella took flight.
OspreyTeen#1 practiced flapping in the wind but still refused to let go of its grip on the crane.
It was now 1:55 pm and OspreyTeen#2 had now been on that crane for two hours. For some reason, Dad Beau decided it had been long enough. He left his perch, circled and flew up to the top of the crane, then bumped OspreyTeen#1, forcing it into flight.
Dad Bella approaching the top of the crane to bump OspreyTeen#1 off and into flight.
Dad Beau’s bump put OspreyTeen#1 back into flight again, and it tried to go to the nest platform.
Unfortunately, it got carried away again in the strong breezes, going out of sight. Dad Beau followed.
Winds were picking up as a t-storm was headed towards our area. I was now beginning to worry if OspreyTeen#1 was going to get back safely to the nest platform before it hit. I think the Osprey parents were worrying about this too.
And I now had lost sight and sound of OspreyTeen#1 and Dad Beau. Oh boy.
Fortunately, the t-storms just missed us but they could be heard. Finally, at 4:45 pm Mom Bella started a loud chirping from the nest platform. OspreyTeen#1 had reappeared and was trying to lap the nest platform; but it was so windy, it ended up landing on the condo building’s rooftop alongside the crane back across the creek.
OspreyTeen#1 landing on the condo building rooftop alongside the MD DNR crane.
Mom Bella got even louder, chattering at OspreyTeen#1, as if to say, “You can do this.”
Mom Bella has her concerned eye on OspreyTeen#1 on the condo rooftop.
OspreyTeen#1 hears Mom Bella and took flight again at 4:56 p.m. but flew directly to the crane top next to the roof and lands.
Mom Bella was not happy and continued the loud chattering. Dad Beau appeared and landed alongside OspreyTeen#1 on the crane.
After three minutes of discussion and support, OspreyTeen#1 took to the wind!
OspreyTeen#1 coerced by Dad Beau to take flight and go to the nest platform.
OspreyTeen#1 lapped the nest platform, and then attempted another landing. Yes, back on the nest platform at 4:59 p.m! Whew, that was eight long hours!
After eight long hours, OspreyTeen#1 finally returned to the nest platform as Mom Bella & OspreyTeen#2 cheer it on.
After eight long hours, OspreyTeen#1 finally returned to the nest platform as Mom Bella & OspreyTeen#2 cheer it on.
OspreyTeen#1 trying to get a grip on the wood platform to stay put.
Whew, OspreyTeen #1 (left) finally back home! Both hungry and exhausted I’m sure!
What was OspreyTeen#2 doing during all this drama? Watching and learning, of course!
OspreyTeen#2 watching the action of OspreyTeen#1 in flight.
OspreyTeen#2 watching and learning.
OspreyTeen#2 watching and learning.
OspreyTeen#2 thinking, “This isn’t fair. I want to fly too!”
With all that extra space on the nest platform, OspreyTeen#2 picked up on wingersizing!
OspreyTeen#2 practicing lots of wing flapping!
For the next two days, OspreyTeen#1 came and went from the nest platform, practicing flight control and landings, and doing a fabulous job. Quite frankly, it looked as if OspreyTeen#1 was having a grand ole time.
OspreyTeen#1 in flight.
OspreyTeen#1 in flight.
OspreyTeen#1 in flight.
Surprise! Just three days after OspreyTeen#1 took flight, OspreyTeen#2 took its first flight on July 27 at 4:10 p.m. I don’t think it was quite prepared, it was wingersizing with OspreyTeen#1 on the nest and the wind caught it, forcing it off the platform. OspreyTeen#2 had no choice but to flap and fly!
OspreyTeen#2 gets caught in the wind and takes its first flight.
As with #1, OspreyTeen#2 did laps around the nest platform.
OspreyTeen#2 lapping around the nest platform during its first flight, even tried to land on the sailboat canvas but failed.
While trying to keep flight control, the wind carried OspreyTeen#2 off! Bella was on a sailboat mast and chased after OspreyTeen#2. Even OspreyTeen#1 was excited and took flight from the nest platform but returned quickly, watching the action of Mom Bella and OspreyTeen#2.
It was not until just after 7:00 pm (three hours later) that OspreyTeen#2 reappeared, coming in for a landing on top of the crane. Dad Beau came in right behind and landed on the crane as well.
OspreyTeen#2 reappears and lands on the crane. Dad Beau also lands on the crane.
Dad Beau moves up higher on the crane and sits alongside OspreyTeen#2.
Dad Beau and OspreyTeen#2 sat there for over an hour. It’s now after 8 pm, with darkness approaching. Mom Bella had been out flying and was returning with a stick (yes, she still tries to add to the nest!). She changed her plans on landing on the nest platform and flew up to the crane top to join Beau and OspreyTeen#2.
Mom Bella arriving as well for additional support, with a stick (that she dropped).
Bella & Beau trying to give support to OspreyTeen#2 to encourage its flight back to the nest platform.
After a few minutes Beau left and flew out of sight. Bella left several minutes later and returned to the nest platform to rejoin OspreyTeen#1.
Mom Bella sits with OspreyTeen#2 a little longer and then leaves it.
Dad Beau returns again to the crane and sits alongside OspreyTeen#2, who tries to do a little flapping.
As darkness settles in, Dad Beau left the crane again. OspreyTeen#2 remained perched on the crane.
OspreyTeen#2 all alone on the crane.
I checked up until 11 pm, and OspreyTeen#2 was still alone on the crane. I’m sure Dad Beau was close by. Mom Bella and OspreyTeen#1 were on the nest platform. I went to bed with an uneasy feeling.
At sunrise, I got up and the first thing I did was check the nest platform. Both chicks were there! Yay!
OspreyTeens back home after both had fledged.
Since then, both OspreyTeens are coming and going from the nest platform often. 🙂
Not to be outdone by the first OspreyTeen taking flight, the second one leaves too!
The OspreyTeens will continue to return to the nest platform where they will be fed for a few more weeks by the parents while they master flight control and explore the vast new world they’ve now learned exists. The parents will include taking the OspreyTeens out to master the hunt to fish so they can begin to hunt and feed themselves.
A happy-looking OspreyTeen!
Doing a fly-by!
While watching both chicks fledge, it has been quite amazing to witness the care, teaching, and support the parents were giving them. So sorry, it was a long post, I wanted to convey some of this with you.
Until the next Bella & Beau post, happy flying OspreyTeens!
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
Bella & Beau 2018: Where’s Beau and Fledging is Imminent
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
July 22, 2018
It has now been a total of 14 weeks that Bella & Beau have been providing devoted, continuous care for their brood from incubating the eggs to today’s almost full-grown chicks. The parents have showed they are young and inexperienced with lacking the skill of nest building, but they have succeeded to date with bringing up a pair of beautiful, healthy chicks.
Beau leaving the nest platform per Bella’s instruction.
Of course, Bella still rules the roost. Did we think that was going to change? Ha!
Besides keeping the OspreyTeens away from the nest platform edges, Bella continues to provide her Mombrella shade from the sun and heat.
Bella’s ‘Mombrella’
When Bella says it is time to eat, she goes into a constant-calling mode, demanding Beau to appear with a meal. I believe the whole creek hears her.
Beau should be delivering about five fish a day to feed Bella and the OspreyTeens now.
Bella calling Beau for a meal while the OspreyTeens patiently wait.
Sometimes I can tell if Beau is perched nearby eating the fish’s head by watching Bella’s direction of call. She knows if he’s around and will look right at him.
Beau perched on the crane with a fish Bella demanding Beau deliver that fish
Osprey are not choosy with their fish species selection, whatever they can strike within the range of 3 feet from the water’s surface will do. Did you know Osprey will not eat a dead fish? Particular, aren’t they!
If for some reason fish are scarce, Osprey will prey on small birds, turtles, frogs, rodents, crustaceans and mollusks like conchs. There is one recorded instance of an Osprey eating a small alligator. That last one must have been a fierce tangle between the two before the Osprey won.
Here’s a few images of Beau incoming with a meal.
Beau finally delivering that fish that Bella hollered for in above photos
Beau delivering a meal
Beau delivering a meal
Beau delivering a meal
Beau delivering a meal
Bella is still quite impatient when taking the fish, while Beau tries to give it to her quickly and get out of the way. Poor Beau, he always looks a bit bewildered at Bella’s gruffness.
Bella grabbing the fish as Beau tries to let go of it.
Bewildered Beau….
Once she has the fish in her talons, Bella then will chatter at Beau sternly until he leaves the platform before she proceeds to start the feeding. Maybe she feels it’s over-crowded and not safe. Or maybe she’s just bossy.
Beau takes this opportunity to clean his talons and legs.
Beau skimming to clean his talons & legs.
Beau skimming to clean his talons & legs.
Beau skimming to clean his talons & legs.
Beau skimming before sunset.
Beau skimming before sunset.
Beau skimming before sunset.
Beau skimming before sunset.
Beau skimming before sunset.
Beau skimming the water to clean his talons and legs.
Bella begins a feeding
Each chick is patient and gets a turn
Each chick is patient and get a turn
Bella feeds the patient OspreyTeens. They are not yet feeding themselves. In the second photo, one OspreyTeen curiously watches Beau flying away. “Where’s Dad going?”
Beau does seem to be doing a swell job with fish deliveries. But where does he go if it’s not time for another meal run and Bella’s sent him off?
To find Beau is like looking for Waldo! (remember Where’s Waldo? 
) To keep tabs on him myself, I have followed Beau’s flight many times to watch him come to rest on several favorite close perches to watch over the family while Bella feeds herself and the OspreyTeens. He’ll also use these perches to eat the fish head before delivery, and I imagine he spends the night on any one of them as well.
Beau’s crane perch
Beau’s telephone perch
Beau’s barge perch
Beau’s sailboat mast perch
Beau’s telephone perch
Beau’s sailboat mast perch
Beau’s crane perch
Some of Beau’s perches that look over the family.
Beau even uses the Town of Cambridge’s water tower just behind our neighborhood.
Beau is on top of the tower
Do you see him?
A little closer crop of Beau
There’s Beau! 🙂
Beau perching on the Town of Cambridge’s water tower to eat the head of a fish before delivering it to the family. He can see them perfectly (and hear Bella, of course!), as well as watch for any intruders approaching the area.
So how about those OspreyTeens, my how beautiful they’ve grown. The oldest is nine weeks old, followed by the second at 8-8½ weeks.
Beautiful OspreyTeens
Beautiful OspreyTeens
Those OspreyTeen wings turned out gorgeous!
No squabbles with these siblings!
Another full week of “wingersizing” (wing exercising) has further strengthened the OspreyTeens’ wing muscles.
Ahhh, feel that breeze….
Flap….
Flap….
Flap…
I’m almost ready to fly!
Wingersizing!
After that last flapping, the OspreyTeen fluffed up those feathers!
“Boy, that feels awesome! Soon I’ll be flying like Mom & Dad!”
With lift-offs happening too, it’s just a matter of time for a fledging to occur. This next lift-off was the best I’ve seen yet!
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…..”
“You better not push me or I’m telling Mom!”
I think Bella is ready for her chicks to fly also. This morning it was windy, and she left the nest for about an hour and perched on a cable on the crane across the creek. She watched and I could hear her chirping to them, almost as if encouragement. The OspreyTeens wingersized away! I watched and waited too. But no luck today.
Bella watched from across the creek her OspreyTeens take turns flapping hard and strong for a possible flight.
Instead of beautiful sunsets this past week, we had clouds and periods of rain. It’s humbling watching the precipitation pour down on Bella and the OspreyTeens.
Enduring the rain
Enduring the rain
Enduring the rain
Enduring the rains.
This storm wall hit hard.
Nasty, heavy rain….
This storm wasn’t pleasant at all for the Osprey family.
We are in for another week of rain and t-storms, one of which will hit here in about a half hour.
Let’s not worry about that, for now; instead, let’s view one more precious portrait of Bella and her babies.
Momma Bella and her OspreyTeens
I’m expecting next week’s post to give the news we have one, if not two fledgings! Also some catch up on the still ongoing fierce nest protection, as well as the school of learning the OspreyTeens are going through with Momma Bella.
Until then, enjoy your week and happy flying thoughts!
And a quick add, after I published this post, I got to thinking there was a beautiful sunset this past week…..and here it is!
Sunset over Cambridge Creek – July 19, 2018
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
A Tightroping Green Heron
A gorgeous Green Heron was perched on a swinging dock line hanging just above the water between two piers at our marina.
As we approached to pass by him, he showed us his perfect acrobatic balancing act as he quickly tightroped up the dock line and onto the boat.
Green Heron
Green Heron
Green Heron
After the quick ascent, the Green Heron hopped onto the other boat and waited for us to pass.
Green Heron
With those acrobatic skills, he shouldn’t have any problem joining a circus!
Sika Deer and White-tailed Deer
While out riding around the Dorchester County Neck Districts, not only were we seeing a lot of Eastern Wild Turkeys I recently shared, but near them we’d also see deer. Never any large herds, just a few here and there.
Closer to the marshes, we found the Sika Deer.
Sika Deer (hind or cow – female)
Sika Deer (stag – male)
Further inland around the forest, we found the White-tailed Deer.
White-tailed Deer (fawn)
White-tailed Deer (buck -male)
White-tailed Deer (doe – female)
White-tailed Deer (male & female) running for the woods.
Cool Fact: Sika Deer are not actually deer. They are a member of the Elk family, sometimes also called Sika Elk or Asian Elk. They were first introduced in the Chesapeake Bay watershed on James Island in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1916.
Eastern Kingbirds
While watching Osprey pair, Bella & Beau, yesterday for a few minutes, directly in front of my balcony, landing on top of a sailboat mast, I was offered an awesome, quick photo opportunity of an Eastern Kingbird.
Eastern Kingbird
Not an often seen perch for an Eastern Kingbird, I’d think.
Eastern Kingbird
And then, poof, he was back in flight!
To my neighbors: George, do you recognize the top of your mast? 😊
Yesterday’s above photo op reminded me of the Eastern Kingbirds I had captured at Blackwater NWR several weeks ago in a more natural perch setting.
Eastern Kingbird
Sweet shot!
I didn’t alter the next photograph and loved how it turned out.
Eastern Kingbird sitting pretty in a breeze.
Bella & Beau 2018: It’s All About The Wings
(Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, USA)
July 15, 2018
In a previous post here I shared Bella taking a much-needed bath and about the importance in keeping their feathers clean and maintained, especially those large, gorgeous wings.
Bella’s gorgeous wings.
(she’s delivering a stick to the platform that has no nest.)
Those wings are the Osprey’s life. They need to be exercised and maintained to be in great condition for excellent flying so they can hunt for fish, plunge and then lift themselves from the drag caused by water capillarity, as well as have speed and control to challenge any enemies in the air.
Bella in flight – you can see her feathers have damage. She has been molting throughout the season. Osprey molt by losing only a couple feathers at a time so they do not lose the capability to fly.
The OspreyTeens are now: oldest is eight weeks, followed by the second at 7 to 7 ½ weeks. They have quickly learned that keeping their feathers conditioned is a daily chore. They are in constant preening mode, cleaning their new feathers and ridding the last of their wooly down.
OspreyTeens preening their brand new feathers.
The OspreyTeens also need to exercise their wings. One way is by stretching. Most times this looks quite funny.
“Mom, I’m bored, I have nothing to do…”
Bella and an OspreyTeen watch the other’s wing stretch out and then back in.
This was cute, a sibling “wing hug”.
Here’s another sibling “wing hug” in a six-photo slideshow.
The last photo is priceless!
The OspreyTeens also exercise their wings with strong flapping, sometimes with a couple hops as they feel the lift.
(photo chicks flapping)
It is getting very close now for the OspreyTeens to take their first flights. It usually happens while flapping, the fledgling will catch the wind and off it goes!
Usually the first flight is brief and awkward and ends soon with the fledgling landing on a nearby perch. After probably a much needed rest, it will try to return back to the nest where it will continue to live for several more weeks as it learns to control flight and then learn to hunt for food. It’s surely a nervous time, for both them and us!
And now here is a series of some beautiful flight images I’ve captured over the last couple months of the caring parents, Bella & Beau, showing off their gorgeous patterned wings.
Bella
Beau
Beau
Bella
Beau
Bella flew up close to me.
Bella
Beau is usually no longer at the nest except to deliver food. So catching a family portrait is not easy. Here’s a couple from this past week.
The Osprey Family
Family Portrait
Beau is alarming an intruder while the rest pays attention to the danger.
And a few more of beautiful Bella.
“Mombrella” Bella
Bella on guard while the OspreyTeens rest.
(taken from ground level)
Bella on guard while the OspreyTeens rest.
(taken from ground level)
Portrait of Beautiful Bella
Wrapping up this week’s post, I’ll share another sunset that Bella, Beau, the OspreyTeens and we enjoyed.
Sunset over Cambridge Creek and the Osprey Family (far right over docks)
(For all the posts on Bella & Beau’s 2018 season, you can click HERE.)
Eastern Wild Turkeys
While recently exploring the remote “Neck District” areas of Dorchester County, one bird sighting that we seen often were Eastern Wild Turkeys. A couple dozen would be foraging along tree lines. Quite skittish, they would run into the woods at the sight and sound of a vehicle. The males would ensure the females were safe before they too would follow.
Eastern Wild Turkey, male
We luckily happened upon a dozen or so Wild Turkeys alongside the road. I saw several poults as they and their Mommas were scattering into the tall grass. I got lucky with one capture of a poult who was hiding and watching. Momma was just behind in the grass.
Wild Turkey, Poult
Again as before, the females quickly disappeared into the tall grasses and woods while the males hung back. This was the last male to retreat.
Eastern Wild Turkey, male
He just strolled along, in no hurry, which was great for me.
Eastern Wild Turkey, male
I quicky zoomed in for this final close-up shot as he headed into the shade and woods.
Eastern Wild Turkey, male
From southern Canada to southern Mexico, there are actually six species of Wild Turkey:
– Eastern Wild Turkey (the species our pilgrims first encountered)
– Rio Grande Wild Turkey
– Merriam’s Wild Turkey
– Osceola or Florida Wild Turkey
– Gould’s Wild Turkey
– South Mexican Wild Turkey
Cool Fact: Not only do Wild Turkeys fly, but they can at high speeds. There have been recorded flights of up to 55 miles per hour. Can you see a Wild Turkey flying alongside your vehicle, keeping up with you at that speed?? Mercy!!
Bay Photos by Donna 