The Osprey who lives down the street
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
Eugene, Oregon
June 23, 2017 7:28pm CST
I have been walking early every morning this week and realized that there is an Osprey nest on a platform one long block from my house. She may have eggs or fledglings up there. I can't see them, of course, but she is pretty active. Her wingspan is about 5 to 6 feet.
A smaller, perhaps curious bird was cruising too close for her comfort and she started loud warning chirps that made him decide not to linger. One morning this week, she landed on the nest as I approached. I wish I had that photo, but did not have the camera.
This once endangered species is making a great comeback.
I am taking the camera with me each day now.
11 people like this
13 responses
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - This is a wonderful shot! You and @DianneN have friendly ospreys among your circle of "animal friends." I'm jealous!
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jun 17
I will have to look her Osprey post up. I am glad there are so many now. Did your eyes turn green?
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40054)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - Ha Ha! No, I'm jealous, but my eyes didn't turn green. LOL
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
24 Jun 17
A great photo you got there James!!
I have never seen an osprey in real life.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jun 17
Thanks, @TiarasOceanview. There is a small lake across the road and rivers nearby too, so we have many Ospreys and Bald Eagles around. Fish is their favorite meal.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35084)
• United States
26 Jun 17
I hope you get a photo, I would love to see it.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jun 17
The one above is mine and here is one I took this morning. It was a bit cloudy.
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
26 Jun 17
@jameshxstatic - Brother James - Here is a link to a new article on ABC News.
Regards, -Gus-
Along the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach, ospreys build nests with just about anything: tree branches, stuffed animals, flip flops — even an opossum skull. The abundance of nests is proof of the bird's surging population in recent decades after the inse
1 person likes this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
27 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - You are most welcome, Brother James. If I close my eyes and open my ears, I can hear those ospreys right now even though they are 1500 miles distant from me at the moment. -Gus-
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Jun 17
Thanks Gus! I am glad to see they are coming back all over the country!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Jun 17
That's cool. I don't think I've ever seen one before.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
24 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - I don't know. If I've seen one, I wasn't aware of it at the time.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jun 17
It was the result of pesticide use making the eggs soft as I recall. See my response to @enlightenedpsych2 above for more.
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Jun 17
@enlightenedpsych2 DDT was banned on 12/31/72 in the US, but is still used in many countries, even for agricultural purposes. (India is the largest user). Very interesting info here:
DDT use was popular as a form of insecticide up until the 1960s until speculation emerged about the safety of its usage.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
24 Jun 17
Perhaps she would like to meet Orville, the Osprey friend of DianneN--but it would be a long distance relationship, as he lives in Florida. I always regret not having a camera, when such great shots occur.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jun 17
Since she is so close, I might get more shots. There are a couple of things to steady the camera on nearby too.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Jun 17
So glad to hear this. I love Osprey, hawks and eagles. We have the World Center of Birds of Prey here in Boise. I am very proud of that fact and the knowledge that they are working on the endangered ones right here where I live.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
24 Jun 17
Well photographed! Osprey appears to be a bird of prey.It is a pity I haven't seen it myself.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jun 17
Yes it is and a beautiful one. They, like some eagles eat a lot of fish.
1 person likes this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
24 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - I used to watch the ospreys as they dove to catch fish from the "Twin Lakes" as I sat there with my own busy fishing pole during the warm months. When they hit the water in their diving, the redwing blackbirds would explode out of the big banks of water reeds in which they nested. Sure are neat birds, those ospreys. -Gus-
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jun 17
Yes they are Gus. I like to hear them and watch them fly.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
3 Jul 17
How did I miss this post???? We have them here in CT, too. Many have their fledglings already. My favorite osprey is Orville in Florida. He's my pet away from home. Don't be surprised if the she turns out to be a he, since they mate for life, care for the little ones, and take turns hunting. The female has a feather necklace, while the male does not. I hope you get many photos!
Here is a photo of my boy fishing. He loves to show me his fish before heading back to his nest.
@JudyEv (325755)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 17
We take our cameras virtually everywhere now. There is no knowing what is going to turn up.
