|
Post by baja252 on Jun 21, 2013 15:23:25 GMT -6
Part I I was too busy yesterday to get out on the water, so today I went out to see if I could find Ozark & Star. At about 7:30 I was about 20' out from our dock when Stein surprised me and flew right over my head. I really wanted to follow him, but the boat wasn't warmed up yet, so I had to just sit and watch as he turned the corner at the main channel and headed South. I thought perhaps he was headed to the twin islands, so when the boat was warmed up I headed over to some of his popular hangouts. I looked for about 20 min, but no luck. Next I went to the small cove below the nest, nothing. I went towards the end of the main cove, nothing. I decided to call it a morning and head home. I get almost home and I see who I believe is Ozark landing on a chimney. I'll explain later why I think its Ozark. He was out of the cove and around the corner. He sits there awhile and naturally while I'm turned looking the other way he takes off. He flew into the cove below the nest. In this photo you can see the nest and the old nest tree. Star and Stein are also in this photo, can you spot them. As I headed towards Ozark, he lands in a tree just to the right of Star! I didn't even see or know Star was in that tree when I passed it 5 min before. Maybe he flew in behind me. The one that flew in is on the left. Again, I believe it to be Ozark, with Star on the right. Like all siblings they fight at times, but today they were best buddies. I took over 500 photos this morning. I'll be adding more as I get time to upload them.
|
|
|
Post by baja252 on Jun 21, 2013 18:05:34 GMT -6
Part II As I sat there waiting to see if I could get a shot of them flying, they started to squeal like crazy. It's deafening with both of them going at it. I turned to see what they were squealing at and I see Stein coming over the tops of the trees on the other side of the cove. Most of the time he travels along the water, I don't see him come from this direction very often. It amazing how he spots them from so far off. He was headed straight for them as they squealed even louder. I had my camera set for to take pictures of S and O sitting still, so quick as I could I'm changing the settings to get Stein coming in because he's headed right at me. Just as I raise my camera I see he has a fish. Then all of the sudden I hear a WHOOSH and one or both juvies fly right over my head. The squealing was unbelievable, then just as suddenly the squealing was drown out by the noise and sound of the air coming off the wings. It was so loud and powerful it made me instinctively put my hand on my head and duck like a jet fighter was buzzing me, I'm lucky I didn't fall out of the boat. After it passed I regained my focus and stayed with Stein and the fish as they approached. Stein circled one way and Ozark circled the other. For about 5 long seconds I didn't know what was going on, who was where or what to do. I don't know why, but again I stayed with Stein and just kept clicking away. The squealing got louder as second whoosh of air passed over me. Stein banked left and landed on the ground 50' from the tree S & O were both sitting in. What I now believe is Ozark circled back around behind me and comes in under Star, who I figured out by now never flew and was still sitting in the tree. Ozark is heading straight for the fish dad has. At the last second dad drops the fish and jumps back. Perhaps to avoid a collision or more likely a training lesson in landing on prey. I think he purposely landed under the tree they were in, in order to give them an opportunity to swoop down and land on some prey. It worked and Ozark swooped in and landed perfectly on the fish. The reason I believe it is Ozark, is because he immediately assumes his usual defensive block the fish strategy. Then he looks over his shoulder to see if Star is coming after the fish. He holds this position for several minutes, until satisfied that Star wasn't going to challenge him for the fish. He then starts to eat. Dad just stood back and watched. Star squawked a little at first then settled down and just watched Ozark eat. I could be wrong on who's who. I'm just making a guess based on the behavior that Ozark seems to do. The next batch of photos will have some side by side shots. I'll try and get them up later tonight.
|
|
|
Post by baja252 on Jun 21, 2013 20:36:20 GMT -6
Last batch of photos from this morning. Juvie #1 was eating, I thought it was Ozark, but now I'm not so sure. Anyway, dad flew off to a tree 50' away. So now I have dad to the left, juvie #2 50' to the right high up in a tree and Juvie #1 eating 75' in front of me. I stay focused on juvie #1. He eats about half the fish and walks a couple of feet away. I don't see Stein take off, but I take this photo as he flies over juvie #1 and under juvie #2 in the tree. He turns left towards the end of the cove. Now juvie #2 sees that Juvie #1 has walked away from the fish and he silently drops out of the tree. Juvie #1 sees him and doesn't look to happy, but no squealing by either one. Looks like a battle is about to start. Juvie #2 lands with no drama. They just enjoy some fish together. I use to think Star was a boy and Ozark a girl, but I'm not sure any more. The more I examine my photos the more I'm confused. One time one looks bigger, has more white or has some other feature that stands out. Then in a different photo they look total different, so who knows. I guess as someone said in the chat it really doesn't matter, one is Star and one is Ozark. The E's great parents and Ozark and Star look happy, healthy and are learning more and more every day. I'm just glad they tolerate us and stick around. As quickly as it started it was over. Something must have spooked them because they were both off in different directions at the same time. Yes, I ducked again as he flew right over me.
|
|