Osprey Flying Class
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
Osprey Flying Class
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
A visit to the Osprey nest on 7/14/18. The chicks are quite large now and are very close to fledging. It has been 5 weeks since they were large enough that we could first see them over the top of the nest and we suspected that one or more had hatched approximately 2 weeks before that.
Dad delivered fish for a lunchtime feeding but before they fed, it looked like Mom and Dad gave a brief flying lesson. Dad then flew off for the trees to watch from a distance.
Each of the chicks took a turn practicing before they ate. The practice spot is same place where dad lands to deliver his catch. Mom and the other two stood at the opposite side of the nest with their backs turned to give them room. The two oldest managed to catch a little air during flying practice and the largest one almost beat mom to death with his wings.
Mom is still feeding one of the chicks but the other two seem to be feeding themselves. After everyone had eaten, the oldest was playing with the remainder of the fish almost like he was trying to catch it in his talons.
Everything I’ve read says that Osprey fledge at 7 to 8 weeks of age. For 2 weeks after that, they will follow dad on hunting expeditions and will then begin hunting on their own.
In this image, mom and dad are giving a quick flying lesson.
Copyright 2018 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
July 17th, 2018
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