Peter Cracknell caught this Osprey resting on a branch. Ospreys have returned to the Mendonoma Coast to build or rebuild their nests, pair up and hopefully start a new family.

Ospreys build their nests on top of flat-top trees. The nests are quite substantial, as they must survive the winds that blow in from the northwest in springtime and from the southwest in stormy weather. Here is an Osprey nest photographed by Craig Tooley.

The Osprey nest that Rick and I can see through our spotting scope blew down in the December storms so the Osprey pair have been busy rebuilding it. The female is now sitting on the nest so perhaps there is an egg or two in there. I hope so!

Thanks to Peter and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com.