June
12th - First Looks at Wildwing Lake Chicks
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 Having
photographed ospreys for many years, most everything one of them does
has been captured, until this photo showed up in the collection. This
is C09's mate in hot pursuit of an intruder when she decides to scratch
under her chin with her left talon while in flight!
Quite amazing!!
Jim Kortge
photo; used with permission |
 We
were quite sure there were chicks in the Wildwing Lake nest because of
observed brooding activity, but had not seen any until this little head
popped up and started looking around. We knew then that there was at
least one "bobble head"
Jim Kortge
photo; used with permission
|
 Not
long after the first chick appeared, another head popped up
and
started looking around. We now had confirmation of at least two chicks
in the Wildwing Lake nest.
The kids from Mrs. Anderson's class
(see Breaking News) were having a great time watching them too, along
with OWSEM members Barb Jensen and Karen Verhey, who hosted the field
trip.
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission |
 Mother
osprey returned to her nest several times while chasing off intruders
to see how her chicks were doing. With the wind coming out of the North
while facing the camera, she seemed to be having a "bad hair" day!
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission |
 One
of the intruding ospreys was this female wearing 3 narrow lavender
bands on her right leg. The DNR used this band style and color in 2007
when the chicks in various Southeast Michigan nests were banded. It is
gratifying to see one of these chicks back in the area.
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission |
 This
male osprey was the second intruder that C09 and mate had to deal with.
They were both very persistent, and did not want to leave the area.
This osprey is easy to recognize with the notches in its wing tips.
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission
|
 Osprey
chicks tend to be quite curious about their surroundings. Here, one of
the chicks has made its way to the edge of the nest for a closer look
at the lake below and the surrounding area.
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission
|
 While
we were watching and photographing, C09 came to the nest with a rather
large bull head. It probably weighed close to two pounds. After showing
it off to the female, he left for a short time to eat some of it before
returning it to the nest for his mate and the chicks.
This fish was certainly large enough to feed everyone all that they
could eat.
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission |
 C09 began
feeding some of the bull head to the chicks, while his mate seemed to
be brooding.
We wonder if
there wasn't a third, smaller chick under her. Time will tell.....
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission |
 Eventually, the female took over the
feeding task. She was feeding herself as she fed her chicks.
Occasionally, she would reach down into the bottom of the nest with a
fish morsel, as if to be feeding yet another hungry mouth.
Jim
Kortge photo; used with permission
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