Today was a day for me to go outside, walk, and enjoy a beautiful, warm, fall day in the country. I did check on the Port Lincoln Ospreys before I left and Dad had brought in a fish and they were eating. It is now noon in Port Lincoln, Australia and there have been two feedings. Everything is fine. I believe the following images will dispel any concerns. We had great days with 8 to 10 feedings and then they slowed down. The chicks are older and their crops can hold more so they get more food but there are less feedings. The older two are in the reptile phase. Some people love the rubbed oil effect and the bald heads, the dark plumage – I am usually glad when they get through this phase!
So here, with little narration are some images from the first 4 hours of the day. Check out the time stamps as you go through.
I love the golden rays of the morning sun falling on Mom and the nest. She is really beautiful.
First feeding. None of the chicks are fighting and this fish came in much earlier today than yesterday (past noon).
Mum makes sure that everyone is full. You can see, look carefully, that all three chicks have nice crops. She is still checking to see if Little Bob wants any more bites.
Right now it is really easy to tell Little Bob from Big and Middle Bob.
Mum is eating some fish. She deserves to eat just like dad and it is hard to get bites in with these three. But, look, does Little Bob want some more fish?
If anyone says this mum feeds herself before her osplets, they are wrong. She is breaking off a piece above and below she is offering it to Little Bob to make sure that he is full.
Look at the crops and the bald oily looking heads. Oh, dear! These kids are changing right before our eyes.
Oh, gosh. Little Bob just finished and now the other two are up at the table again. Mom is feeding both Big and Middle again.
“Last Call at the Fish Bar!”
Mom lets them fall into food comas and makes sure they are covered and warm. Maybe they will sleep for a few minutes.
Oh, no. They are starting to wiggle their way out. Just look at those pin feathers. These babies are going to be doing a lot of preening very soon.
An hour later and Mom is feeding them again. This is feeding 3 and they still have crops from the earlier feeding. No one is going to feel hungry today.
Little Bob stays up at the table. The other two are full.
Finally – food coma.
Happy, full Osplets sleeping in a pile!
There will be more fish meals today. These three are doing fine. We had one worrisome day. Let us all hope that is the last for this family. Right now – in this very moment – all is well.
Take care everyone. Thanks for stopping in. See you soon!!!
Thank you to the Port Lincoln Osprey Project for their streaming cam where I took my screen shots.