We stopped to check out this Osprey nest just outside of the Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. At first we spotted only this guy:
With those wild eyes and disheveled feathers he looked like he'd just woken up. I wondered if he was alone in that big nest. And then his mate emerged from down below.
I waited and waited and waited for Osprey #2 to turn, so I wouldn't have to post a 'butt-shot.'
Finally she took a break from her work and turned.
Unfortunately, so did Osprey #1.
Linked to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY, where pretty much everybody else is talented and patient enough to wait for that perfect shot! It's the best birding on the web. Thanks to Stewart for hosting.
Great shots! What a powerful, beautiful bird. xo
Posted by: Nancy | April 29, 2013 at 03:21 AM
I loe it! Yes, the butt shot!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | April 27, 2013 at 03:34 PM
No chance, Sally ! But it is so funny !
Posted by: Annie | April 27, 2013 at 09:40 AM
magnificent birds!
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | April 27, 2013 at 03:38 AM
Dearest Sallie,
Wow, GORGEOUS and BEAUTIFUL proud shots of the Osprey♡♡♡
I checked the word 'Osprey'. At first, the title reminded me of the militaly air planes of America, (^^;)
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: Yamda Miyako (orchid) | April 25, 2013 at 05:50 PM
Oh, I've missed a lot of your beautiful nature photos, I like these ospreys I am not even sure if I can tell one if I see it in person.
Posted by: Prem | April 25, 2013 at 10:29 AM
toll wenn das SO erleben kann Sallie
LG vom katerchen der einen schönen Tag wünscht
Posted by: katerchen | April 24, 2013 at 11:33 PM
Those eyes are huge! Your shots are fantastic, even if the two of them wouldn't cooperate for photos. :) Happens to me all the time!
Posted by: Gail | April 24, 2013 at 06:34 PM
Great shots. Very crisp lines. Osprey's are very neat raptors. MB
Posted by: MaryBeth | April 24, 2013 at 04:04 PM
Fantastic shots of the ospreys.
Posted by: Carver | April 24, 2013 at 12:41 PM
You did really well. We love the refuge and have visited Sanibel many times with our bikes! What a great place to ride and take pictures. Since moving to Ocala, however, we haven't taken the time to go back. One of these days!
Posted by: Lowell | April 24, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Oh well, at least you got to view them and got a couple of nice captures!
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | April 24, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Beautiful images, Sallie! I like the look on the Osprey's face in the 1st photo.
Posted by: _CabinGirl | April 24, 2013 at 09:19 AM
Great shots, Sallie! I particularly love that first one! ;-)
Posted by: Lindy | April 24, 2013 at 09:09 AM
What magnificent birds! Great photos :)
Posted by: Hilde | April 24, 2013 at 08:54 AM
Great catch! He looks young with all of that white in his feathers. I wonder if he's a first year.
Posted by: Dina J | April 24, 2013 at 07:40 AM
Those birds don't always pose for a glamour shot. But you still got good photos. Next stop Corkscrew!
Posted by: Sharon Wagner | April 24, 2013 at 06:32 AM
Thems the breaks Sallie. Sometimes you just get the butt end. Love that crazy, fierce look in the first shot.
Posted by: Arija | April 24, 2013 at 06:26 AM
I could sit and watch ospreys all day long. They're such magnificent birds...as are your images.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | April 24, 2013 at 05:58 AM
Beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | April 24, 2013 at 04:52 AM
Its hard to get birds to pose isn't it? You have done well though to capture these magnificent creatures .
Posted by: diane | April 24, 2013 at 04:36 AM
I like the way people from all over the world can watch osprey - I saw one last week in Perth - but no pictures.
Glad you think that WBW is the best!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: scmonckton@optusnet.com.au | April 24, 2013 at 04:04 AM
I hate 'butt'shots, too! Love the first shot a lot. Kinda looks like me in the morning.
Posted by: bettyl | April 24, 2013 at 03:39 AM
The size of Osprey's nests always amazes me even though I know how big the bird is. Still, it can't be easy bringing up a family in just one room. Great shots Sallie - wish I had some Ospreys close to here.
Posted by: Phil (@anotherbirdblog) | April 24, 2013 at 02:35 AM
Yes, definitely just out of bed, that's bed hair, I know. Amd wild eyed too, - probably having one of those dreams that come along in the fifteen minutes before you have to get up, and stay with you all day! Wonderful pictures, Sallie.
Posted by: Hildred | April 23, 2013 at 09:55 PM
Too funny Sallie!
But all the same these are wonderful images!
I couldn't get over the big eyes!!
You commented on my post about me seeing all kinds of birds from my window. I was gone quite a few hours today and almost as soon as I got home my husband informed me - 'you missed it' - seems we had our first spring turkey while I was away. :(
Posted by: Carletta | April 23, 2013 at 09:10 PM
Wonderful shots of the birds near the nest.
Posted by: Rajesh | April 23, 2013 at 08:43 PM
I don't find birds very cooperative. Great osprey shots.
Posted by: Gaelyn | April 23, 2013 at 08:39 PM
Excellent shots, Sallie. Especially that first one!
Posted by: Sally in WA | April 23, 2013 at 07:05 PM
Beautiful birds and photos of them. The first photo is amazing.
Posted by: pat | April 23, 2013 at 05:57 PM
What big eyes. I visited Sanibel once - a lovely island.
Posted by: Barb | April 23, 2013 at 05:56 PM
that first shot w/ the googly eyes is just priceless! love these!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | April 23, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Oh excellent! I think he is givining you the evil eye in that first shot!
Posted by: Karen | April 23, 2013 at 04:23 PM
You got some outstanding shots! The first one looks like the bird is saying something to you!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | April 23, 2013 at 03:33 PM
Sallie, you got some great shots of the Osprey on the nest. Very cool!
Posted by: Eileen | April 23, 2013 at 02:28 PM
You have Ospreys too. :) And in a nest. I have never seen a nest. They say they nest somewhere in my area but I never found out where. I think it is great shots.
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | April 23, 2013 at 02:18 PM
Love that first shot of the osprey!
Very nice photos! It's not easy to get the perfect photo. :)
Greetings Pia
Posted by: Pia, Sweden | April 23, 2013 at 01:13 PM
Great photos. Wouldn't it be nice if birds posed the way we want them to!
Posted by: Mick | April 23, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Lovely post for WBW!
Well done!
Posted by: HansHB | April 23, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Magnificent bird!
We can follow their nesting from web camera here but they are now on their way to Finland :)
Posted by: Leena | April 23, 2013 at 09:37 AM
Fantastic-the first photo especially, shows a truly majestic bird of prey!!
Posted by: Hazel | April 23, 2013 at 09:31 AM