Osprey Feeding Chicks

Gallery: AvianPosted May 24, 2010218 views14 comments

This pair was wonderfully dilignet in feeding both chicks equally, not just the largest and most vocal one on the left.
Here, papa is feeding the littlest one, while mama is vigilantly standing guard. Lots of raptors around, so one parent was always present in the nest.

The chicks are 1 day (smallest) and 2 days (biggest) old here.

D300
500 mm + TC 2.0
1/1250 sec, f/10
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
Exp comp: -2/3
ISO: 400
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

I rarely include larger images, sorry (too much theft) but did so here to show detail in the tiny chicks.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by dan elster on May 24, 2010 at 1:08 PM

Great angle you've got here. Those are tiny osprey chicks...they couldn't be more than a few days old. Very nice.!

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Laura Stafford on May 24, 2010 at 1:16 PM

Sandy, this is such a great photo. The detail is wonderful. What a rare scene to witness, much less photograph.

Laura Stafford

Registered on November 3, 2009, 52 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 24, 2010 at 2:13 PM

Amazing clarity with a 500 + 2X! Thanks so much for including the larger on this

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 24, 2010 at 2:43 PM

A great look at this family Sandy, I like the ocean bg as well. Beautiful shot.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 24, 2010 at 3:11 PM

The BG is actually a beautiful river in Wyoming.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 24, 2010 at 3:14 PM

Wonderful angle looking down into the nest, you do not usually see this, the larger version was a pleasure to view.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Roche on May 24, 2010 at 3:47 PM

Hi Sandy,
Great shot. I try my best to get Osprey shots while spending the winter in Florida, but I never have been able to get above the nest; I assume you were higher up a hillside?
Larry Roche
larry@larryspictures.net

Registered on April 17, 2009, 12 Posts, 20 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 24, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Larry, yes, this is a very unique nest with a good vantage point above it on a cliff.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 24, 2010 at 6:45 PM

Sandy:
I'm enjoying these. I see lots of osprey nests, but I've never seen the inside of a nest with chicks. You usually shoot handheld. Was this handheld with 500 +2x tc?

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 24, 2010 at 6:53 PM

David - I Laid here for three hours, flat on my stomach, and lens on a tripod 18 inches off the ground , to minimize any distress - after a wary first minute, they didn't mind my presence at and were much more worried about the harriers, hawks, and occasional eagle overhead.

I do usually shoot hand-held and dislike trpiods as I seem to trip over them far more than they are worth, and I miss too many fast shots.
But THIS time, the tripod was essential.

I don't think a handheld 500 with a TC 2.0 would work very well.. I'm not that strong or steady - maybe with the 500 VR, though, which is my next dream... photography sure is an expensive thing to love..

Thanks for asking..

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 24, 2010 at 8:11 PM

Very nice Sandy. All the birds are sharp and this really shows the care and tenderness essential for such small and vulnerable chicks and it's such a treat to see "down" into an Osprey nest for a change. Great to see your larger version.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 25, 2010 at 1:06 AM

WOW Sandy, a view down on a nest. Nice. I have never seen such tiny chicks. This is outstanding Sandy. I'm stunned at how sharp this is with 2x converter. You must have been over the moon to get these. Bet you came away with a very stiff neck but a shot for the ages. Very special Sandy.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 25, 2010 at 7:17 AM

Outstanding image Sandy. I, like many others that have commented on this post, have never seen "into" an Osprey nest...very special. Your determination and perseverance were certainly well rewarded. Congratulations.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 27, 2010 at 8:31 PM

Sandy,

The river is a perfect background for the Osprey family. Wonderful view of the very tiny chicks!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments