Young Osprey

Rolling Stone

I was paddling my kayak amongst the lesser keys in SW Florida and came upon this nest. As I rounded the end of the island, the parent had just dropped this fish and was taking off.

Jim Victory

Outstanding capture!

Excellent detail and comp.

Harryb

Very good captures with excellent details.

Poindexter

The little guys are great!

Osprey Whisperer

Nice captures of one of my favorite birds.

If anyone's interested...... The juvenile osprey when full sized still have a white pinstriped edge around their dark brown feathers. It is easy tp spot and easy to tell which osprey are still young. Judging from these pics, this is an older (adult) osprey. Notice the brown feathers DO NOT have the thin white outline on the feathers. Here are some examples of full sized juvenile osprey with this pinstriping.

Here are some pics of juvenile ospreys with the very noticeable pinstripping on their brown feathers.

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/60199453

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/62765164

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/60881129

compared to an adult bird.

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/59473336


Also judging from the rough look of this bird, I'd guess it had just gone diving for fish and still has not dried out yet. This time of year, here in Florida is breeding/mating season. It is most likely that the one adult brought fish back for the other adult who is either sitting on eggs or guarding the hatchlings. All the local nests here have hatchlings in the nests. They are very young and can still not be seen from below. They are not large enough to raise their head(s) above the nest to view/shoot.

It is typical with osprey for BOTH parents to sit on eggs and guard young. If you watch the nest and find that at least one of the adults stays on the nest, you'll know there are young in the nest. It is a good idea to keep a safe distance from the nest as not to upset the adult birds. They are stressed enough during this time.

Another bit of trivia. Many believe, although incorrect, that the female has the "necklace" (neck/chest markings). This is not a sure fire way to determine the sex of osprey. Both male and female adult osprey can have the "necklace"....or NOT have the neck/chest markings.. So the neck markings are not an accurate way to determine the sex of the birds.

Note the "necklace" (chest/neck markings) often inccorectly associated with only the female on this osprey.

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/59094972

Best way to determine the sex of the bird is to observe their behavior during breeding. Then, if possible maek visual note of specific characteristics of the bird to remember which bird was which, while they were ...well doing the "dirty bird".

Ok..enough osprey trivia. Not trying to climb that soap box and correct anyone, but thought some might like to know a little bit about our buddies the ospreys.

Nice pics of a mature osprey(s)

raptorcaptor

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Nice captures of one of my favorite birds.

If anyone's interested...... The juvenile osprey when full sized still have a white pinstriped edge around their dark brown feathers. It is easy tp spot and easy to tell which osprey are still young. Judging from these pics, this is an older (adult) osprey. Notice the brown feathers DO NOT have the thin white outline on the feathers. Here are some examples of full sized juvenile osprey with this pinstriping.

Here are some pics of juvenile ospreys with the very noticeable pinstripping on their brown feathers.

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/60199453

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/62765164

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/60881129

compared to an adult bird.

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/59473336


Also judging from the rough look of this bird, I'd guess it had just gone diving for fish and still has not dried out yet. This time of year, here in Florida is breeding/mating season. It is most likely that the one adult brought fish back for the other adult who is either sitting on eggs or guarding the hatchlings. All the local nests here have hatchlings in the nests. They are very young and can still not be seen from below. They are not large enough to raise their head(s) above the nest to view/shoot.

It is typical with osprey for BOTH parents to sit on eggs and guard young. If you watch the nest and find that at least one of the adults stays on the nest, you'll know there are young in the nest. It is a good idea to keep a safe distance from the nest as not to upset the adult birds. They are stressed enough during this time.

Another bit of trivia. Many believe, although incorrect, that the female has the "necklace" (neck/chest markings). This is not a sure fire way to determine the sex of osprey. Both male and female adult osprey can have the "necklace"....or NOT have the neck/chest markings.. So the neck markings are not an accurate way to determine the sex of the birds.

Note the "necklace" (chest/neck markings) often inccorectly associated with only the female on this osprey.

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/59094972

Best way to determine the sex of the bird is to observe their behavior during breeding. Then, if possible maek visual note of specific characteristics of the bird to remember which bird was which, while they were ...well doing the "dirty bird".

Ok..enough osprey trivia. Not trying to climb that soap box and correct anyone, but thought some might like to know a little bit about our buddies the ospreys.

Nice pics of a mature osprey(s)

Also it is a little early in the year for juveniles. I would think in a few months you might have some chicks though as this is probably a nesting pair!

Very nice photos!

Rolling Stone

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Nice captures of one of my favorite birds.

If anyone's interested...... The juvenile osprey when full sized still have a white pinstriped edge around their dark brown feathers. It is easy tp spot and easy to tell which osprey are still young. Judging from these pics, this is an older (adult) osprey. Notice the brown feathers DO NOT have the thin white outline on the feathers. Here are some examples of full sized juvenile osprey with this pinstriping.

snip


Nice pics of a mature osprey(s)

Thanks for all the great info, the nest was high up on a manatee zone warning sign and you had to be a distance away to even see them. I probably would have missed it if I hadn't seen the other bird taking off.

ShepsMom

wow, what a cutie pie!! Great capture!

Maestro

Yes, very nice detail. I like the fact that you can just imagine from this shot what happened as you the fish laying there along with wet, ruffled feathers. I even see what looks like bits of fish netting and possibly part of a sign.

dbaker1221

fantastic captures! there is nothing like eaing in bed!!!:D