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tammie | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Osprey Love ~ PG-13 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Osprey Love ~ PG-13

This is the pair that are nesting in Memorial Park in New London. This is the 4th year I've been involved in monitoring this nest site. The goal is to be able to band the chicks. Last year the City of New London threw a wrench into those plans, but we hope this year to be able to band and educate area kids about ospreys.

On this particular day they mated twice while we were there.
Viewer discretion is advised. :)


Come and get your love
Come and get your love		 To mate the male has to get on top of the females back
To mate the male has to get on top of the females back		 They have to be careful about hurting each other during mating
They have to be careful about hurting each other during mating		 The male will ball his feet up to avoid hurting the female with his talons
The male will ball his feet up to avoid hurting the female with his talons
Here it looks like he is resting on his hocks to avoid injury to the female
Here it looks like he is resting on his hocks to avoid injury to the female		 Ospreys are known to mate for life, with rare exceptions
Ospreys are known to mate for life, with rare exceptions		 To mate, she brings her tail up and he brings his down. That is her tail in the front of him.
To mate, she brings her tail up and he brings his down. That is her tail in the front of him.		 I am not quite sure exactly how this all works
I am not quite sure exactly how this all works
This whole process lasted just seconds
This whole process lasted just seconds		 My work here is done
My work here is done		 2nd verse, same as the first......
2nd verse, same as the first......		 It is believed that the female chooses the male largely on the suitablitly of his nest
It is believed that the female chooses the male largely on the suitablitly of his nest
Courtship can last up to 3 weeks
Courtship can last up to 3 weeks		 During courting they will spend time together on the nest, mate feeding and copulating
During courting they will spend time together on the nest, mate feeding and copulating		 They are sexual mature at approximately 3 years old
They are sexual mature at approximately 3 years old		 g3/11/80511/3/95593466.5Ykf7CjC.jpg
Is nothing sacred around here?
Is nothing sacred around here?

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Guest 02-May-2008 04:47
Wonderful gallery Tammy. This is one of the birds I have on my list to capture. You've done it so well. Thanks for sharing. Vote :)
Guest 28-Apr-2008 22:33
Tammie, this entire gallery is very well done. Appears Mrs. Osprey is well done also.
Big Vote for this gallery.
Susanne v. Schroeder14-Apr-2008 12:16
Fantastic series of pictures. You do such a nice job on these!!
Lisa W.14-Apr-2008 11:41
Excellent Tammie! This series is fantastic. We have a few Ospray's here on Long Island and I love watching the nest building. You & your cam took some great shots here. A great learning experience. Hope your able to band the chicks this year.
routerer14-Apr-2008 09:35
Some great shots here Tammie
john + V
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