Osprey Nest

[Airedale1]

I took this shot yesterday here in Laconia of an Osprey perched above a nest with one chick showing. I thought I had seen a second chick in there when I was using a spotting scope, but I'm not certain. The adult looks very small to me; maybe a male? This image is heavily cropped as I was about 50 yards from the nest. I'll try again today and I'll add a 1.4 TC to my lens.

"Lens is like cowbell; you always need more." Paul Merritt

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/osprey%202016%202_zpsyjggqjyk.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Airedale1/media/osprey%202016%202_zpsyjggqjyk.jpg.html)

[Airedale1]

I went by the Osprey nest again today and this time I added a 1.4 TC to my 400mm but it still Is not giving me the reach that I would like. The closest I can get to the nest is about 50 yards away. So, this is a heavy crop and not a very good image. Still, this time I was able to confirm that there are at least 3 chicks in the nest.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/osprey%202016%203_zpsyctqlczx.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Airedale1/media/osprey%202016%203_zpsyctqlczx.jpg.html)

[salty dog]

Ya, the 1.4 added to the 400 might be clearer then just cropping the 400. Then you might compare that combo with a small crop to see which is better. I've got a 70-200 and sometimes use my 1.4. I don't do a lot of birds like you so never got a 400 or 100-400. You do get some great shots! (more cowbell!!)

edit...just realized you had tried the 1.4 on the 2nd shot..

[Dave R]

Cool pics.

I was boating on Chesapeake Bay for the first time two months ago and I saw an osprey in a nest within 1 minute of of the start of my cruise. I thought, "how lucky am I?" Within 5 minutes, I realized I was not so lucky after all. There's an occupied osprey nest on EVERY SINGLE place that can support an osprey nest down there. They are so used to boats that you can easily get within 10 feet of them. If you like ospreys, it's a great place to see them.

[Airedale1]

I went by the nest again today. It was raining and very overcast. I spotted mom bringing home some nice nesting material to help keep the chicks dry.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/osprey2_zpsqz9fli82.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Airedale1/media/osprey2_zpsqz9fli82.jpg.html)

[Airedale1]

Mom bringing home a fish for dinner. Note that there are still 3 chicks in the nest and with both parents also in this image there area a total of 5 in the nest at once. It's getting a bit crowded.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/osprey%20dinner%202_zps5qbstxft.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Airedale1/media/osprey%20dinner%202_zps5qbstxft.jpg.html)

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Wow, Airedale1!!! You captured some amazing shots!

[Diver1111]

Beautiful shots thanks. They really are impressive birds as are all raptors. Keep posting.

[Airedale1]

Thanks all. Here is one showing first lift off for one of the chicks. They are in the process of strengthening their wings in preparation for when they fledge and they do so by flapping them while in the nest. Occasionally they manage to get a short duration lift off as was the case here.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/OSPREY1_zpsduxtpsyq.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Airedale1/media/OSPREY1_zpsduxtpsyq.jpg.html)

[Barney Bear]

Look at the expression on its face: terror, surprise, pride.

[Airedale1]

Stopped by again today and there were three in the nest and the light was better; so better detail.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/OSPREY7_zps6kj7agt4.jpg (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/Airedale1/media/OSPREY7_zps6kj7agt4.jpg.html)