American Robin – Gallery
A couple days ago watching Osprey teens Bonita & Brad (who are still here!), an American Robin shot past me in his journey.
It made me realize I hadn’t seen or heard much of our local robins lately, now that their breeding season is over.
It also reminded me I hadn’t posted any more photos of this beautiful bird since the end of June.
Here are a few more of my favorites from this past summer…
“American Robin at Sunset”
American Robin preening
Fluffing up the feathers!
A constant favorite perch
“Sunrise on Beak”
“Attitude”
“American Robin at Sunrise”
“Morning Song”
American Robins are year-round residents here in the mid-Atlantic region. Soon they will begin flocking in areas nearby through the winter in search of delectable berries to feast on before their ‘return’ to their nesting grounds where many of us are accustom to seeing them as our harbinger for Spring.
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
We were rewarded with another spectacular sunset this evening…..
Sunset over Cambridge Creek
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands…”
. – Psalm 19:1 (NIV)
Canada Geese – A Reflective Landing
I captured this series one morning a few months ago. A pair of Canada Geese had dropped down from the sky and proceeded to fly up the creek towards me…..and where the water was mirror-glass smooth.
Canada Geese coming in for a landing
Still incoming…..
Now ‘skidding’ on the water top to slow down
Still skidding…..
Then a splash when they put their bodies down into the water.
Canada Geese “Love Birds” visiting Cambridge Creek
Canada Geese mate for life with very low “divorce rates,” and pairs remain together throughout the year.
Red-winged Blackbird, A Balancing Act
Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents of the Chesapeake Bay region.
It is always a treat to see and hear them around our marshes and wetlands.
Red-winged Blackbird (male)
Photo taken at Blackwater NWR
Green Heron Perched On A Dock Line
Stepping out, looking around and then down from my balcony, I spotted a delight.
Photo opportunities like this make for happy dances! 💃
Green Heron
The Green Heron is about the size of an American Crow.
In North America, the Green Heron is the smallest of the heron family.
Green Heron
Turning around ever so slowly……
Green Heron
….giving me the hint a launch was forthcoming.
Green Heron
The past six weeks we’ve had several Green Herons fishing daily from the dock braces at the water’s edge around the creek. One day, I could count five in my view.
Which means…..more of my favorites of the striking Green Heron to come. 🙂
Series: Take a Moment and Enjoy a Sunset
Last night’s dreamy sunset……
Sunset Over Cambridge Creek
“It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.”
— Bern Williams
Bella & Beau 2019: Teen Temper Tantrums
Osprey nest location: Cambridge, Maryland, Chesapeake Bay Region, USA
August 27, 2019
Welcome back to Bella & Beau’s Osprey season! For the past 1½ weeks, there were many wonderful highlights that I was lucky to witness and some captured.
First, the great news that I didn’t confirm until yesterday. I hadn’t seen Momma Bella for several days. I began to wonder if she had left for migration. But although I hadn’t visually seen her, I was getting some ‘hints’ from the teens she might have been perched several times in the tree across the creek that Beau also uses. There were times the teens would beg towards that direction, then turn to Dad Beau on the water tower and beg more.
Bonita & Brad begging towards the tree across the creek.
Yet Dad Beau is behind them on the water tower.
Bonita & Brad begging across the creek. Dad Beau is behind them on the water tower.
It was yesterday, the teens started alarming. I knew something wasn’t right from their sound and ran outside to see a family of Black Vultures flying quite low over the creek. I saw an Osprey shoot out of that tree I mentioned and began to pursue the Black Vultures. They quickly took off, of course.
Osprey in pursuit of a Black Vulture
Once satisfied, the Osprey (who I thought was Beau) flew over the nest, looking down at the teens who were quiet and watching, and then flew off towards the end of the creek and perched on the communications tower Bella & Beau used a lot late in the season last year. I turned to check and saw an Osprey on the water tower. I got my binoculars and saw it was Beau. So was that Bella I just watched chasing the vultures? I quickly checked & zoomed in on my shots and could see a ‘necklace’ on the Osprey’s chest. It was!
Bella flying off after chasing a Black Vulture.
Bella in flight, passing by the teens and nest.
Bella in flight, headed to the communications tower.
Bella in flight
Bella lands on the tower.
Bella still on the tower 1.5 hrs later.
Bella on the communications tower
So all along, Momma Bella has been around, keeping a protective watch over the teens when at the nest. And she just proved again, no one messes with her babies!
Bella’s instinct to leave for migration is imminent. I felt very fortunate to get to see and photograph her again as I know it may have been my last time.
So, yes, the teens, Bonita & Brad, are out and about for hours at a time. The nest sits empty.
I know Bella didn’t see this blackbird at the time, she wouldn’t have allowed him there.
As soon as either teen is tired of flying, or tired of trying to fish, they’ll return to the platform and solicit to Bella & Beau to feed them. It appears the parents are starting to withhold feedings even longer as the begging can go on for hours. The begging turns into downright loud, hilarious temper tantrums!
Brad and one of his temper tantrums.
Both having a loud temper tantrum
Bonita & Brad both perched in front of the tree that either Beau or Bella is in perched.
Temper tantrums!
Temper tantrums!
Teen Temper Tantrums
Bonita & Brad wondering, “Is anyone listening to us?”
Bonita & Brad wondering, “Is anyone listening to us?”
Bonita & Brad wondering, “Is anyone listening to us?”
Bonita & Brad looking and listening to see if the temper tantrums worked
Bonita having an all-out temper tantrum.
Then Bonita looks to see if it worked.
Bonita having a full-fledged temper tantrum. Bonita checks to see “if it worked”.
Bella & Beau withholding food must be working. I’ve watched both Bonita and Brad trying to fish in the creek, sometimes right from the nest platform.
Bonita sees a fish.
Bonita launches for the snatch!
Great form, Bonita!
Bonita back up to the surface.
Bonita beginning to lift out of the water.
Lifting up…..
Using those strong wings….
Bonita’s out of the water, but no fish!
Notice the water drop trail from Bonita flipping her tail.
Keep practicing, Bonita!
Bonita diving for a fish
Bonita sees a fish….
Bonita launching for the dive.
Bonita aborts the dive last minute and flies around for a while.
Bonita dives for another fish another day
Brad begins to launch at seeing a fish.
Heading down for the dive.
Brad attempting a dive for a fish but changes his mind
I haven’t seen either teen catch a fish yet, but they are probably trying out on the river as I’ve seen them both return to the platform wet.
To be sure, Dad Beau does make fish deliveries to ensure they don’t starve. Poor Beau, he’s practically assaulted trying to pass the fish.
Beau delivering a fish to Brad.
Brad is aggressive with the grab.
Beau trying to release the fish.
Beau trying to release the fish.
Beau trying to release the fish.
Beau trying to release the fish.
Finally, Beau is free.
“Kids are so ungrateful….”
Brad protecting his fish.
Brad looking around, probably hoping Bonita isn’t enroute to take it.
Brad figures best to go over to the telephone pole where he can hide better.
Brad flying over the creek.
Brad landing on the telephone pole.
Beau delivering a fish to an aggressive Brad
Dad Beau’s thinking, “Oh no, they both want the fish!”
Beau landing with the fish.
Brad is quick for the grab as Bonita tries to get closer.
Brad continues to grab for the fish….
Much to Bonita’s dismay.
Brad blocking crying Bonita with his wing.
Brad mantles the fish, Beau is bewildered as usual.
Bonita cries, “But Dad, what about me?”
Brad making sure Bonita cannot take his fish.
Brad mantles the fish, while Bonita screams.
Brad says enough is enough, and leaves with the fish.
Brad flying over the creek.
Brad landing on ‘The Family’s Telephone Pole”. (They all use this one pole.)
Beau delivering a fish with both teens eager for it…..who gets it?
This next gallery series was a wonderful highlight I was excited to share. Beau dropped down right in front of me and caught a fish. I captured most of the action, as did Bonita who was on the nest.
Beau looking at the water.
Beau making a dive.
Beau diving, refocusing.
Beau continues down to the water.
Instead of a plunge, Beau prepares to snatch.
Going for the snatch!
Stupid piling!
Beau with his catch!
Beau flying past the nest platform where Bonita is perched and watching….and thinking it’s for her.
Beau passes on buy Bonita.
Beau heads away from Bonita and disappears.
Beau catches a fish
Was this a teaching moment for Bonita’s benefit? Dad Beau obviously made sure he didn’t deliver it, he probably went off and ate it himself. Bonita certainly looked solemn after that.
Bonita watching Dad Beau fly pass her with the fish.
Bonita is disppointed.
Bonita’s reaction to Dad Beau passing her by with the fish
With Beau staying in close proximity much of the time, I have gotten some nice photos of him as he flies in and out of the area.
Beau in flight
Beau in flight
“Peek-a-boo, I see you”
(Beau in flight)
Beau’s handsome wingspan
“Beau’s Belly”
Eldest teen Bonita is the ‘wild child’, she’s out adventuring from the nest most of the day, then suddenly flies in with speed while announcing loudly her arrival. Trying to catch her in flight hasn’t been easy, but I did get a few of her in flight as well.
Bonita returning wet.
Bonita in flight.
Bonita’s wing.
Bonita in flight.
Bonita in flight.
Bonita in flight
Youngest teen Brad is the homebody, he still likes to hang around the general vincinity of the nest and has his share of handsome flight photos.
Brad in flight
Brad in flight
Brad preparing to swoop up to the nest platform
Brad in flight
Brad in flight
Here comes Brad!
Brad in flight
Brad in flight
Brad in flight
What does Brad see?
Brad in flight
Brad in flight
Brad in flight
Brad using his ‘goggles’ in flight
Brad still enjoys perching on the sailboat mast just off to the right of my balcony. I love when he perches there.
Brad on a sailboat mast
“Smiling for the camera”
“Hmmmm….I see a fish!”
Someone’s above on the rooftop.
Brad shaking off the water.
Brad fluff-up!
Brad scratchin’ an itch.
Brad on one of his (and my) favorite perches
A few more favorite photos from this past week and a half….
Bonita
Brad
Bonita
Bonita
Bella perched, watching over the teens
Bonita amongst the clouds
Finally, I’ll end with three dramatic sunset photos with Bella & Beau’s nest platform.
Sunset over Bella & Beau’s nest platform on Cambridge Creek
Different sunset dramatics over Bella & Beau’s nest platform on Cambridge Creek
Sunset over Bella & Beau’s nest platform on Cambridge Creek
