AMAZING OSPREYS

Osprey, Finland - In this picture, you can clearly see the difference between the adult and the young osprey. The young osprey are probably as big as their parents at this point, but you can still distinguish them by the white markings on their back.

3 healthy looking chicks



A little bit of a family squabble

The youngest one is still quite small compared to its 2 older siblings.

Family portrait

Stretching the wings

A really big stretch!



I am amazed at the massive wing span!

The osprey's wing span ranges from 1.8 to 3.3 meters!

HANGING AROUND THE NEST

Sea Eagle, Norway - The eaglets are now going on 13 weeks old! From what I have read on the main site, the nesting ledge is quite large and well vegetated, so if the nest is empty, it is possible that they are exploring or hiding in the vegetation. They are also able to fly and will make short trips, but they will hang around the nest and are dependent on their parents for another 5 - 6 weeks after fledging.

Giving the wings a good stretch!

A rare sighting these days - both eaglets in the nest together!

White Stork, Vetschau, Germany, UK - On July 20th, both storks fledged. However, Apoll and Finja continue to hang around close to the nest, with their parents nearby, watching over their young from afar.

Word from the Stork Center is that Apoll and Finja seem a bit hesitant to fly to the fields where the white storks congregate and feed. They continue to hang around the stork center and take little flights around the roofs. The parents have been seen feeding them as well, although they need to learn how to search for food on their own soon!

White Stork, Bornheim (Nest #2), Germany, UK - Slowly but surely, these storklets have left the nest. This capture was taken around the 19th of July.

Down to 2 storks by the 21st of July.

One is the loneliest number - by July 26th, a lone stork was spotted in the nest.

OOPS-A-DAISY!

Bald Eagle, Delta, BC, Canada - One day you're resting in the nest with your sibling, enjoying all that life has to offer.

Flapping your wings, preparing for the big day when you leave the nest.

However, the nest is quite small for two growing eaglets...

...and suddenly you are falling out of the tree!

You call for help, but nobody answers you.

All you can do is look over the edge to make sure that your sibling is okay.

The poor little eaglet seemed quite distressed after its sibling fell from the tree. She called and called and I guess the parents weren't close by at the time. Fortunately, the eaglet was rescued the next morning by O.W.L., a rescue/rehabilitation center in Delta, B.C. He was a little on the skinny side and his feathers were a little pale in color. He could fly, but was unable to get any height to get back up to the nest. They will be putting him in a flight cage with other eagles and released in a couple of weeks when he is ready to be on his own.

THREE OSPREY CHICKS!

Osprey, Finland - Shortly after I posted my first sighting of these ospreys, I was sent a comment that there are actually 3 osprey chicks in the nest. It took me a few days before I could make out the third one. Their camouflage is phenomenal!!

One of the parents calling.

Keeping a sharp eye on the horizon.

BALD EAGLE & SEA EAGLE NEWS

Bald Eagle, Delta, BC, Canada - These 2 are about 8 weeks old. Bald Eagles can take their first flight 10 - 13 weeks after hatching, so it won't be long for these two.

Extreme close up.

Dad drops by with some tasty morsels.

Raw meat anyone?

Sea Eagle, Norway - These two are close in age to the Bald Eagles, coming in at 9 weeks old. They fledge at 10-11 weeks and remain close to the nest, dependent on their parents, for a further 5-6 weeks.

Close to fledging, you usually see birds flapping their wings a lot. This is to exercise the wings and make the flight feathers stronger.


Look at me! Aren't I grand?

It must be a little bit hot in Norway today. When birds get too hot, they will cool themselves off by holding their wings away from their body.

STORK NEWS, BLACK AND WHITE

White Stork, Vetschau, Germany - 7 weeks old!

I'm just as tall as my mommy now!

The parents are able to leave the two storklets on their own for longer periods of time now that they are older.

Black Stork, Estonia - The Black Storks' plumage continues to darken with each passing day.

You have a feather out of place right here...

These three are about 7 weeks old now.


White Stork, Bornheim Nest #2, Germany - 8 weeks old.

Lazing around the nest.

Yup, wing length is pretty good!

I love this nest! It has the best view and the most spectacular lighting in the early morning and evening.

You looking at me?

White Storks, Bornheim Sportsplex Nest, Germany - Out of the 4 storks, one has gone and never come back. These three are able to fly and seem to go on day jaunts, but return home to spend the night.

Sometimes there is only one storklet around.

Other times, all the storklets are away for some time and one of the parents gets the nest to itself!