Heavy Lifter

_DSC6094_DxOpsnxce 72dpi(C), originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

It is amazing how much weight these birds can carry. He must have been thinking about adding a second story to the nest with a stick this big.

Fencerow Flower

_DSC7268nx2psnx 72dpi(C), originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

This wild flower is found around the farm in the fencerows. Some years I see them and some years not.

Red Barn Reflected

_DSC3358_DxOpsnx 72dpi_Snapseed, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

A local barn that we drive by on the way to church. Been going by it for years. Finally stopped awhile back to make the click.

A Fish Tail

_DSC5514_DxOpsnx 72dpi(C), originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

These are perilous times for fish in the river. Yesterday morning the male brought back three fish to his mate in an hour and a half. Perhaps I should say, "three half fish" as he eats the front half and she gets the back half.

Padding the Nest

_DSC5133_DxOpsnx 72dpi(C), originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

It seems like the male Osprey can't stand to sit still for long. If he isn't fishing, he is active in nest building. After bringing breakfast back to his mate yesterday morning (a big fish), he rested a couple of minutes and went to collect soft material to line the nest.

Ospreys Textured

IMG_1669, originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

One of my favs of the pair from last season. I shot this with my Nikon right before sunset, then applied the texture in my iPhone. Last year (2011) was the pair's first year together. they have filled out and look more mature this year, especially the male (on the left) who is now very close in size to the female. It is hard to get a shot of the male as he is much more antsy and does not seem to like sitting around for extended periods. He is a busy fellow, fishing, hauling sticks to the nest and on the go. Once the eggs are layed, he will sit on the nest for short periods to give her a break to stretch her wings. Once the chicks hatch he will be a very busy guy keeping all the hungry mouths fed.

Ruffled Feathers

_DSC4496_DxOnx 72dpi(c), originally uploaded by Donnie Fulks.

Another pair flew by the nest yesterday morning and the occupants did not seem to think it was a social event. I saw this behavior last season. The message is clear- Back off and beat it!

Usually when I hear racket at the nest it is because the the female sees the male coming back from the river with a fish to eat. Yesterday, however, she had seen the other pair coming too close and had called her mate back. He came hustling back to the nest. They were both standing on the nest, back to back with their heads on a swivel watching the intruders. When the nest was buzzed, the talons came out.

These four frames were part of a continuous burst. My camera can only shoot 8 frames per second, so this sequence lasted only about half a second. Those big birds can really move when they want to.

A big thanks to David for loaning me his long lens.