Osprey Chicks and Nests
Soon as we arrived in Everglades City first of January, I quickly took notice of their half dozen or so Osprey nests throughout the town, observing females were already incubating/brooding.
At the end of March before leaving, the chicks were practically full grown.
Osprey chick
Osprey chick spreading those enormous wings
Osprey parent looking at its chick who is watching something in the sky
Two Osprey chicks
Everglades City Osprey Chicks
At home around the Chesapeake Bay, our female Osprey are just now beginning to lay their eggs. 😲
The Osprey in Everglades City had some interesting nests. One Osprey nest platform idea in Florida is the use of old satellite dishes. Holes are drilled for drainage and then they’re erected on poles, providing ample room for a growing family. What an awesome idea to recycle old dishes!
Satellite dish nest
High School field lights nest
Satellite dish nest
No takers this year for this new satellite dish setup
Communications tower nest
Top of tree AND top of tower in background
A Few of Everglades City’s Several Osprey Nests
Seen at a residence in Everglades City ❤
And to finish up my Florida Osprey, a final capture of a male at sunset, watching over his family.
Male Osprey
I’m missing these Florida Osprey, but am delighted to see an adult pair fishing the lake at our present location in SC. And soon, I’m hoping we’re able to return home to see our Chesapeake Bay Osprey who arrived mid-March and are in the process of laying eggs now!
Another Osprey With A Fish
Another day, another male Osprey is perched with its latest catch.
A wet male Osprey with its catch
As he eats the head (a common practice by males before taking the balance to the nest), the Osprey’s mate is crying on the nest, demanding he bring the fish to her and the chicks.
He obviously hears her. We all hear her.
Male Osprey looking at his mate who is demanding he bring the fish to the nest
Male Osprey readying for flight to heed to her begging
Knowing what was truly best for everyone…..
“Alright, alright, I’m coming!”
Eye on the nest and his mate
“Powerful Wings and Tail”
Osprey have an impressive five foot wingspan
And over my head he went, straight to the nest, to the awaiting, hungry family.
Osprey Splash and Two Fish Catch
I didn’t see this Osprey preparing to dive directly above me between the mangroves.
But I heard the splash!
Luckily I was able to shoot these two full frame photos as the Osprey was already lifting out.
Osprey dive splash
Osprey lifting out…..was it successful?
With the mangroves surrounding us both, the Osprey was quickly out of my sight. I watched for it to rise above the trees to see if it fished successfully.
Most definitely! The Osprey caught two fish!
Osprey caught two fish at once!
Both the Osprey and I got lucky! 😉
Happy Earth Day
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.” — Rachel Carson
Snowy Egret, Brown Pelican, Great Egrets
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
With the last few days of rain and clouds, I was in need of a sunset to enjoy myself!
These sunset photos were taken back in the middle of February from under the Chokoloskee Bridge to Chokoloskee Island. It is a favorite location to fish from land by the locals. And a perfect place to take sunsets.
I met and chatted with the fisherman, Branden, who is featured in my photos.
Fishing pole at sunset
Fisherman at sunset
Reeling in the sun….
Still reeling….
Reeling in the sun….
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay
Something was hooked but lost, so no fish photos. But is does appear the fisherman is trying to reel in the sun! 😉
Green Heron On The Run
It happened so quick, a female Green Heron flushed out of the mangroves and flew a short distance to reland.
The male decided he would just run along the embankment in pursuit!
Male Green Heron chasing a female
Green Heron hot on the trail
Green Heron sees me and his excitement vanished
Oops! So sorry, Mr. Heron! He gave me a nod and continued on with his pursuit!
Florida Red-bellied Turtle
With the busy scene, I almost missed this red-bellied turtle taking a break from the water.
Red-bellied Turtle
(Photo taken February 2020 in Big Cypress National Preserve)
Tricolored Heron – Preening
Prior to this past winter vacation in Florida, I’ve not had many other opportunities in photographing Tricolored Herons; so any time I saw one in the past few months, I tried capturing as many photos as I could of this gorgeous heron.
Tricolored Heron
With the surrounding brown mangrove roots and reeds, it wasn’t the greatest to compose the Tricolored Heron’s profile with anything else in the frame. Darn. We always like a pretty scene or background.
But wait! After a little bit, my beautiful subject decided to do a little preening.
The Twist (song)
“Come on, baby
Let’s do the twist
Come on, baby
Let’s do the twist”
“Take me by my little hand
And go like this
E-yah, twist
Baby, baby, twist”
“Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss, and do the twist….”
Lyrics by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters 1959
(which gave birth to Chubby Checker’s Twist dance craze in 1960)
Tricolored Heron – “Doing The Twist”
A scene that seemed dull unfolded into a beautiful shoot with just a little patience on my part.
Three Butterflies and A Dragonfly
In the Florida insect world, I succeeded with just these three butterflies and a dragonfly while down there this past winter.
Kudos to you insect photographers, these are not easy subjects!
White Peacock
Zebra Longwing
Blue Dasher
Queen
Queen
Great Egret – Reflections
Another one of my favorite hangouts was in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The strand’s forested canopy and dark waters were perfect for mirror reflections.
This Great Egret was an incredible opportunity for me.
Great Egret Reflections
Bay Photos by Donna 