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The Osprey Babies

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Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 7:36 AM Subject: Good Morning 7-31-10

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Cooter & Henrietta have been expanding their horizons by flying further and further from the nest each day.....Capt. Robert saw them flying around the mast on his sailboat Thursday afternoon.....so far they return to the nest every night and watch the Sunrise with me every morning!! More photos of them forthcoming...hopefully some of them in flight?? Happy Saturday!!

Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 10:09 AM Subject: Photos Of The "Kids" This Week....

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They are getting better at flying but landings need a lot of work.....they miss and have to "Go Around" again quite often......but getting more confident every day!!

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The perch they are on in the last few photos is two lots upstream.....I believe that's Hilda with them teaching them how to fish??  She sits on the cross piece with the kids up high!!

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Stay tuned for more.......Osprey Family Fun.......

Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 7:29 AM Subject: Good Morning 8-2-10

Yesterday evening as the Sun set I had the opportunity to get some close-ups of the "Kids" as they perched on the nest!!  They both were fussing at me but neither of them flew since they are definitely more comfortable with humans than Mom & Pop are!!  After all, they've seen us humans since the first day they peeked over the edge of the nest!! 

More "Fishin' Lessons" today.....Happy Monday!!

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Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 7:40 AM Subject: Good Morning 8-3-10

The "Kids" were perched on the uprights holding the nest watching along with me......they will probably migrate back to Florida in early September....hope they learn how to fish before then?? Happy Tuesday!!

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PS:  Gloria Jean Husk has a wonderful website and has included the saga of Cooter & Henrietta there....THANKS A BUNCH!!  Take a look here:    http://www.gloryway.com/osprey_babies.htm

Thank you Jack it has been a PLEASURE! to watch them grow.

Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 7:46 AM Subject: Good Morning 8-4-10

I shot some more photos of the "Kids" flying last evening.......I'll send a few later if they are good?? Happy Wednesday!!

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Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 5:27 PM Subject: The "Kids" Playing...

I got a few more shots but in the evening light the camera doesn't like action shots too well....slow shutter....but I'll keep trying as long as they are here!! It's fun to watch them as they get more and more confident..... BTW, that is Henrietta in the 4th photo doing some serious SQUAWKING!!!

Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 7:27 AM Subject: Good Morning 8-6-10

The "Kids" were playing tag and flying around and around the nest as I walked in this morning!!  They were also practicing hovering....hopefully to eventually spot and catch fish so they can become independent and self supporting??  More to come.....

Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 12:23 PM Subject: Weekend Photos Of The "Kids".....

Poor Hilda (Mom) is just about worn out keeping the youngsters fed and just keeping up with them to make sure they are safe......Ralph is laying low for now!!?/

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Notice that Hilda's eyes are green while Cooter's and Henrietta's are red.....a characteristic of all adolescent Ospreys!!

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Cooter blasts off in while Henrietta lays back??

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I figured out she has a fish (part of a Flounder) in her left talons...YUMMY....UGH!!

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Meanwhile, Cooter lands on a piling down the way beside a......Woah Nellie......who are you and whatcha doin' here??

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The last photo is Henrietta making a perfect landing on the piling down the way that had the Sea Gull on it yesterday....Lookin' good young lady!! Stay tuned for more......as long as they are around!!

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