The Ospreys are nesting on the same offshore stack as last year............
Unlike the Peregrines from last week the young have yet to fledge. There were 3 of them. the same as last year.
These were taken with 500 mm lens plus the 2X teleconverter, they are cropped about 50% and it was very windy meaning the tripod was wobbling a bit. The IQ is a bit dodgy to say the least but it is still quite exciting for me to see a family of Ospreys on the nest. I recall my first ever sighting of this species. Loch Garten, 1976 maybe? There was a scope fixed on the distant nest and very very occasionally the female's head would pop up...................and that was it.
I've seen many more since around the world and in Hokkaido they are a common summer visitor with many pairs along the coasts. There were no other photographers at this site, in fact I didn't see any people at all.
The male dropped off one (small) fish, otherwise not much happened.
Here's a crappy video I made, note the spectacular dump one of the youngsters makes right at the end.
Not much else of note. More Rhinoceros Auklets offshore in Hakodate Bay, do they breed nearby I wonder?
Ospreys are very spectacular birds and we too have a thriving community in the summer. It's the kind of bird you never tire of seeing. Sometimes we are able to witness some failrly epic aerial battles between Ospreys and Bald Eagles. The Bald Eagles has bulk and power but the Osprey is more agile and the outcome nearly always seems to be a bit of a standoff.
ReplyDeleteMust be great to see. Our eagles have mostly left by the time the ospreys arrive in spring...........
DeleteExcellent pictures, Stu. I don't see as many ospreys in Niigata as I used to. Haven't seen any in quite a while in fact. I often saw them when I first came and took them for granted.
ReplyDeleteSurprised to hear that Russell, they are still very numerous up here at least.
DeleteWonderfu that they have reared 3 chicks. Loved the video clip
ReplyDeleteNice work Stu. Yes I remember the views at Loch Gaten too - rubbis. Much better at Loch Stu, Japan.
ReplyDelete'Loch Stu'. I like it.
DeleteNice to see the Ospreys just "getting on with it" @"Loch Stu"☺
ReplyDeleteI should apply for a change in the name of this place..............
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