Earlier this month Limpy and I made our first visit to Rutland Water in years, which seems incredible considering it's still our closest osprey nest. We wasted no time in heading to the Shallow Water hide to get grandstand (if a tad distant) views of them:
095 on the nest with her father, Blue33, incoming.
Whatever he carried in his talons, she's clearly not impressed!
Off he goes!
He's a particular fan of lurking in this tree. It's not too easy to spot him in it once he settles.
Maya on her perch, just to the left of the nest.
Enjoying a good flap in the rain!
It wasn't supposed to rain so I'm very glad we'd reached the hide before the heavens opened.
A buzzard flies past. We usually see red kites here as well but not on this occasion.
095 goes into full nest defence mode.
Getting stuck in!
Her brother, 096, flies past with a fish.
He lands on a more distant perch to eat it in peace.
Maya in the air. There was another osprey about, which clearly didn't impress her!
She is looking good!
It was only a few weeks since we were standing on the top deck of the Observatory at Dyfi watching Maya's daughter Telyn give us an equally beautiful fly past.
I hope you all enjoy these. Sorry they're a bit late but I took 1,116 photos on the day and it took a while to get through them all!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Absolutely TERRIFIC Clare - thank you so very very much. What a visit you must have had ! An excellent selection and very much appreciated.
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Karen W said:There was an evening cruise that night - did you go?
Strangely enough we've never been on one of the cruises. It's something I must talk Limpy into doing at some point.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Absoutley fantastic pictures Clare, thank you for sharing them with us. Osprey are a favourite of mine, they are magestic and wonderful looking birds and are such good parents, I am sure many other breeds are but when we watch these nests up close and follow them through a season, you really get to know them and see all their ways and habits. It must have been such a joy to have been there an to see them live!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Clare Bailey said:Earlier this month Limpy and I made our first visit to Rutland Water
Great photos Clare! I'm hoping to get there one year and do one of their cruises
Clare Bailey said:I hope you all enjoy these.
Sure did!
Clare Bailey said:Sorry they're a bit late but I took 1,116 photos on the day and it took a while to get through them all!
Eek! Well I'm a bit late too cos I've only just seen your heads-up in the Manton Bay thread - for which, thank you, it was well worth the trip over here
Warm wishes to you and LIMPY
IMAGICAT
Clare Bailey said:
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler