Ron Bolander was at the Gualala River when he saw an Osprey carrying its catch of a fish. Then a Bald Eagle swooped in.
Despite the eagle's efforts, the Osprey kept its dinner. Go fish for yourself, Bald Eagle!
Thanks to Ron for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
There is a high fog today, with mild temps.
Eric Zetterholm photographed one of the first returning Ospreys a few weeks ago. Ospreys usually return from their overwintering sites around the first day of Spring - this year some were early. Eric found this Osprey with its catch, a tasty fish.
I am fortunate to be able to watch an Osprey nest through a scope. The pair has used this nest for well over ten years. The male returns first, followed soon thereafter by his mate. She immediately gets to work on reinforcing the nest. Some winters the nest is destroyed by winter storms, but it looked in good shape when the Ospreys returned this year. They are now mating and she will soon be sitting on eggs. Her mate will fish for both of them.
Ospreys have a high-pitched, whistling call that you can listen to at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/sounds
The Mendonoma Coast has everything the Ospreys need to thrive: tall trees for their nests and lots of fish in rivers and the Pacific Ocean. Welcome back, Ospreys!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
It's sunny today, with high clouds drifting through, and quite a bit of wind. No need to worry about brushing your hair today!
Ospreys returned to the Mendonoma Coast several weeks ago. They got busy rebuilding their stick nests. Ospreys mostly eat fish, and it's a treat to see them dive for a fish feet-first. Steve Bennett photographed a successful Osprey.
Notice how the Osprey carries the fish. They always fly with the head of the fish positioned to the front. It's more aerodynamic that way.
I love the calls of Osprey. I've been hearing them every day since they returned. To hear their whistling calls, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/sounds
Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Cool weather has returned. We had fog today. It burned back around 2 pm here in Anchor Bay.
Location, location, location...the mantra for valuable real estate. Ospreys love to nest on the Mendonoma coast, as there are rivers and the vast Pacific Ocean. Dinner is only a successful dive away. Rick Denniston recently photographed an Osprey with a fish in its talons.
The chick in the nest that I watch is really getting big and beginning to exercise his/her wings. The parents are beginning to leave the chick alone in the nest now and then, but the father always brings a fish to the mother and chick in the early morning hours.
Here is a close-up of an Osprey taken by Jim O'Brien.
Ospreys migrate far south in the early part of autumn, but while they are here, we very much enjoy watching and hearing them.
Thanks to Rick and Jim for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
One of the joys of living on the Mendonoma Coast is sharing the Coast with Ospreys, spring into autumn. Pairs are busy rebuilding nests and mating. Soon the female will be sitting on eggs. The males are busy fishing and Steve Wilcox recently captured a beautiful photo of one passing by with a fish in its talons.
That's a pretty good size fish this Osprey got. And it looks like the Osprey is looking right at Steve, perhaps warning him off his catch. Thanks to Steve for allowing me to share his photo with you here.