no wanna be's allowed ;-)

no wanna be's allowed ;-)
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

For those who would proclaim themselves.... "Duck King"... :-D just saying..... :-)

osprey spread eagle?

osprey spread eagle?
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

There was a fanfare blowin' to the sun

There was a fanfare blowin' to the sun
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Taken at Thousand Acre Marsh in Delaware. It was intense.

Exposure:1/8000 sec
Aperture: f6

git along little sun doggie

git along little sun doggie
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

One of the best vibrant brightest Sun Dogs I've seen. It was gorgeous. Same spot as the sunset.

Delaware City-- Thousand Acre Marsh

See Doug's below - I hate to admit it but I ALMOST like his better than mine. I said ALMOST. :-)

open air

open air
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

"Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth."

WALT WHITMAN, Song of the Open Road

Good Night Sun

Good Night Sun
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Oh fluffy sparrow. ...

Oh fluffy sparrow. ...
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

They may be un-bright in color and common but I still like sparrows.

grab n go

grab n go
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

stillness

stillness
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Coming Soon To Any Street USA

Coming Soon To Any Street USA
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Eagle

Eagle
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

grace

grace
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

I know many people do not find Vultures beautiful. Indeed by most standards they are not the most handsome raptor.

But I also think they are worthy of photographing. They glide and soar like no other birds I know. They take a back seat to no other bird when it comes to being graceful.

Vultures are beautiful in spirit.

Nearly Vertical

Nearly Vertical
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Eagle with fish -- adjusting cargo against the wind

Jr with takeout

Jr with takeout
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

from August 1, 2008 Jr Osprey taking his food away from platform and Chick 2.

lemonade

lemonade
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

left work to get to the marina to shoot in the nice light. Before I got there the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. yup Hanna is rolling in.

So nature handed me a lemon - so I made lemonade. :-) I used the monochrome feature and shot mostly black and white.

HFF

HFF
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

biplane

biplane
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Eagle

Eagle
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Chick 2 Remains - so long Jr

Chick 2 Remains - so long Jr
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

Osprey Update:

This is Chick 2 - It seems that only the male adult Pops and Chick 2 remain. See the update below.


It would appear that The female adult (Ma) has left the marina area. I've not seen her in a while. There are very few Osprey in the marina area right now. There could be 4, but I am fairly certian there are 2. Chick 2 and Pops.

Ma



The make adult (Pops) is still there with Chick 2

Pops



On a bittersweet note, I think our Jr has left the immediate area. I will be trying to go out today and or tomorrow to try to confirm.

Chick 1 aka Jr Osprey



Chick 2 is seeking food from the male adult. I don't know if this normal or if as during development Chick 2 is the usual week or so behind Jr. Time will tell.

The male did a few fly bys but did not bring Chick 2 a fish, Chick 2 waited about 3 and a half to 4 hours. I know, because I waited too ;-)

At sundown Chick 2 finally left the platform to go to the other area near by where our Osprey family has been hanging out.


I know this is a moment to celebrate, but my heart already feels the void. I knew this would hurt like hell after I fell in love with this nest of Osprey. I am sending my prayers that our Ma and Jr have safe travels.

Jr, I feel very confident that you will be a very successful Osprey. I hope to see you again when you return in 2 to 3 years.

From your peeking above the nest to get a look at the people in the boat, when you should have been laying flat in your nest like you are suppose to do.... :-)

Jr



Your first flight was a bit of magic. I will never forget that moment when you let the current pick up you up and off the nest. You were magnificant to watch.



First Flight Vid

Even more of a thrill when you flew with in feet of me and sat perched.

Jr with in feet of me



Godspeed Jr Osprey~

taking terns

taking terns
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

terns chasing each other over fish.

"All we are we are
And every day is a start of something beautiful, something real"