Birds: An Osprey chick trying to fly

[zig-123]

I spent the month of March of this year, in Marco Island, FL. There is a wildlife Refuge located their by the name of Tigertail. I spent each morning at Tigertail taking photos of the wide variety of birds that winter there. It was a beautiful learning experience, one that I hope to repeat again next March.

There was an active Osprey's nest on the way out to the beach. I monitored the chick each and every day. Watching it grow and then, the last week looked very promising that i would see the chick fledge. alas, it was not to be. But, on the last day the chick made a valiant effort. Here is the sequence of shots I took.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Zig

Yes mate - cracker shots [tho image #4 looks a double-post]
Love the eyes and the concentration of the bird "doing what comes naturally"

Regards, Phil

[zig-123]

Originally Posted by Ozzie_Traveller

G'day Zig

Yes mate - cracker shots [tho image #4 looks a double-post]
Love the eyes and the concentration of the bird "doing what comes naturally"

Regards, Phil

Hi Phil,

thanks for the kind words... and, yes thank you also for the catch. I double posted accidentally.

Zig

[pj1974]

Hi Zig,

Great photos as usual. All show the bird in different stages of flight, etc.

Sharp and great exposure and accurate colours. Well done! (and thanks for the background story too, which always makes it a bit more interesting / informative).

Have a great day / night.

Paul

[vsch1]

Ahh, you've caputured the "hovercraft" stage of flight school as they just hover above the nest. It's too bad you couldnt have stayed another day or two...bet you would have seen him soar.

[zig-123]

Originally Posted by pj1974

Hi Zig,

Great photos as usual. All show the bird in different stages of flight, etc.

Sharp and great exposure and accurate colours. Well done! (and thanks for the background story too, which always makes it a bit more interesting / informative).

Have a great day / night.

Paul

Hi Paul,

thank you very much for you very kind comments. They are much appreciated.

[zig-123]

Originally Posted by vsch1

Ahh, you've caputured the "hovercraft" stage of flight school as they just hover above the nest. It's too bad you couldnt have stayed another day or two...bet you would have seen him soar.

Hi Vanessa,

Yes, it's fun to see the birds flap their wings and then see them get rather apprehensive as soon as they realize that they are actually flying. They immediately, slow down so that they just "hover" over the nest a while, then return home. i don't think know what would happen next should they actually fly away from the nest.

Zig

[Mugmar]

Great captures.

[wave01]

great shots

[saly]

What a great series! Look at the intense look on his face!!