A visit to the Wildwing Lake nest of C09 and his mate provided the opportunity to verify the identity of this pair.
The female, shown landing, was banded a few years back and part of the purple band on her right leg can be seen in this photo when viewed full size. It's hidden in the shadows, but can be seen when this photo is manipulated in Photoshop. The silver USF&W band is very visible on her left leg.
Jim Kortge photo; used with permission
C09 was caught leaving the water after diving for a fish that he missed. With legs down and some extra photo processing, the details of his hacking band could be seen. Here the "9" digit and the single rivet in the band on the left leg can be seen, as well as the silver USF&W band on the right leg.
We love those big white numbers and letters on the green hack bands!
JIm Kortge photo; used with permission
As one might guess, landing photos with the legs extended provide the best opportunities to see an ospreys ID bands. With legs fully extended and facing the camera, the remaining two characters of C09's band could be seen. If you look closely, you can make out the "0" of the green hack band on his left leg.
Jim kortge photo; used with permission
Here is the leg detail from the above photo. The "0" digit of the band is clearly visible, as is part of the "C" prefix. A silver USF&W band on the right leg is also clearly visible. This pairs identitiy is no longer in question.
It is delightful to see C09 and his mate return for their fifth nesting season. We hope they produce another two or three ospreys.
A visit to the Wildwing Lake nest of C09 and his mate provided the opportunity to verify the identity of this pair.
C09 was caught leaving the water after diving for a fish that he missed. With legs down and some extra photo processing, the details of his hacking band could be seen. Here the "9" digit and the single rivet in the band on the left leg can be seen, as well as the silver USF&W band on the right leg. 
As one might guess, landing photos with the legs extended provide the best opportunities to see an ospreys ID bands. With legs fully extended and facing the camera, the remaining two characters of C09's band could be seen. If you look closely, you can make out the "0" of the green hack band on his left leg.
Here is the leg detail from the above photo. The "0" digit of the band is clearly visible, as is part of the "C" prefix. A silver USF&W band on the right leg is also clearly visible. This pairs identitiy is no longer in question.