Osprey Saga. A Young Osprey Learns to Build a Nest

The young ospreys are already on the wing. They venture far from the nest, but they always return home.

This young Osprey surprised me by bringing nesting material back to the nest.  Nest-building is an ancient instinct—he watched his father at work and followed right in his footsteps.

 

A young osprey is about to land on the nest while his sibling calls out nearby. They've become so vocal lately.

Mission accomplished: nesting material delivered. I'm sure this young osprey is incredibly proud of his hard work.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. Tangled Lines

 

A tall pole stands topped with the massive nest of Osprey family. Below it, loose nesting materials dangle like tangled threads. 

Now and then, little unfamiliar birds appear on these hanging strands, lingering for a heartbeat before flying away. 

***

The idea to edit the scene in high key didn't come right away. But when, a photograph by the Finnish photographer Pentti Sammallahti surfaced in my memory, everything suddenly fell into place.

Of course—it had to be high-key.  It would leave nothing but silhouettes and winding strands as compelling lines.

India, Delhi, 1999, Pentti Sammalahti

Female Swainson's Hawk and Her Babies

A year ago, I photographed a family of Great Horned owls with their babies in this same tree.  This year, a family of Swainson's hawks took a fancy to this tree, built a nest, and are now raising their two babies.

Normally, the female spends time in the nest and the male guards it nearby. Both parents feed and care for their babies for six weeks before the young birds are strong enough to leave the nest. 

While raising their young in the summer the Hawks' family will feed their babies a varied diet that will include mice, lizards, snakes and insects. 

Generally, life is good.

Great Horned Owlets - II.

The last time I saw Great Horned babies they were very small, but they have since grown and right now barely fitting in the nest.

There are three babies in the nest and they are all have different personalities.  Some are more curious and active, others are quiter.

The mother stays with her babies day and night, and the father brings food. Thus, the baby owl above was lucky to get a mouse for breakfast which it swallowed very quickly.

Generally, life is good.

In the Nest

 

The family of Great Horned Owls has lived on Antelope Island, on the Garr Ranch, for many years. This spring there is a new addition to the family - two very small owlets. 

When the young ones will be forty two weeks old they will make their first attempt to fly but it will take seventy days when they finally will learn how to do it properly.  

Meanwhile, the Owlets will stay in the nest and will be supervised by their parents who will feed them constantly day and night.  And the babies need a lot of food!

Female Great Horned Owl with her babies.

Male Great Horned Owl is watching his family from nearby tree.  He is half awake and half asleep.

It's interesting that Great Horned Owls often use existing nests built by other large birds. These nests are typically found at the tops of large deciduous trees. 

Unlike many birds, Great Horned Owl do not construct elaborate nests from scratch.

Generally, life is good.