Hello Everyone...
Please pardon the interruption of the regularly scheduled programming!! I witnessed the rescue of two Osprey chicks yesterday, July 17, 2010 and couldn't wait to share some photos. It was truly an experience to see so many caring individuals pull together in an effort to save the Osprey chicks...
This past Thursday evening/early Friday morning, Tuttle Marsh was hit with a nasty storm. It is my understanding that Friday morning, even though the nest tree was blown down and in the water, the Mom and two chicks were still high and dry. As the day progressed, they believe the water current slowly pushed the nest sticks away from the tree base. By Friday evening, the two Osprey chicks were found floating in the water. Two men then rescued the two Osprey chicks and put them on the tree trunk, of what was the remains of the nest tree. Mom soon returned and perched with the two chicks on the tree trunk. A good sign that Mom would protect the chicks throughout the night. However, the big question was...How would Mom be able to feed the chicks?
Saturday morning, when I arrived at the Osprey nest, the rescue was already in progress...so, the adventure begins...
This is what the Osprey nest looked like in May, 2010. If you look closely, you'll see that the bottom of this photo ((tree trunk)), is the top ((tree trunk)) in the next photo...
Here is the remains of the Osprey nest tree after the nasty storm...
The two Osprey chicks perched in the nest tree. It certainly does not look safe for a couple of Osprey chicks who can not fly yet...and an impossible situation for Mom to feed the chicks...
A floatable platform was built and attached to the nest tree. This would give Mom a place to perch with the Osprey chicks, and a place for Mom to be able to still feed her youngins.
Osprey chick #1 taken down from tree trunk....
Osprey chick #1, safely placed on platform...
Osprey chick #2, safely on platform...
Mom would fly by to check out the situation...
...then perch on what used to be her nest...
Time to retreat, and watch what happens...
That didn't take long, here comes Mom...checks out the situation, but returns back to what used to be her nest...
Soon Dad arrives with food...
Dad calling for Mom...
Here comes Mom...
hmmm...Mom can't get food from Dad...not good!!
Mom...Dad....we're down here!!
Several attempts were made by both parents to reach the platform. They were unsuccessful...and the discusssion began for Plan B. While waiting for Plan B to be implemented, it gave me the opportunity to shoot some extra shots...
Osprey chick exercising its wings, which was a good sign this chick still had some energy...
One of Mom's attempts to reach the platform...
Osprey chick #2 exercising its wings...another good sign...
Time to implement Plan B...to cut down the tree trunk and allow Mom and Dad to reach the platform. The Osprey chicks would be brought to shore for their safety.
One Osprey chick decides to bail...darn it!!
Hand off...Osprey chick that bailed...safely on shore...
Aren't their eyes gorgeous??...
Then a couple of questions were brought up...wonder how long it was since they last ate?...if we bought some fresh fish, would they eat it?...any place close that sells fresh fish? With answers like, it could of been 48 hours now....I don't know, certainly can't hurt to try...and directions to closest store that sells fish...I took off in hopes of finding fresh fish!
When I returned, the tree trunk had been cut down and the two chicks returned to the floatable platform. Please understand, this is a temporary platform as these chicks should be fledging in the next week or so. It was also discussed to get a USWFS platform built this fall in hopes of this pair returning next spring.
Now, to get the fresh fish cut up into smaller bites. Get the food out to the chicks and hope they eat!! Slowly approaching the platform, in hopes the chicks don't bail again!!
The fresh fish ((a mixture of cod and steelhead)) was left on the tree trunk and at least one chick investigates....and has a chunk in its beak...
How does Mom and Dad do this??
Of course, its just my luck...both Mom and Dad land on the platform while I was changing a photo card. Mom took the food from Dad and he left. See the fish in Mom's talons?
This was my last photo for today. I wanted to give Mom some peace and quiet to feed her youngins. I hope to see this happy family again next week...
