10:50am (approximate)

Mom had been on alert. Suddenly, one O appeared below the nest over the river and one near the island. The one near the island banked toward the nest and gave chase to the one near the shore. I do not know who was who



And so began a busy couple of hours. Mom and Dad and the camera shy intruder.
(not to mention the worrying @#$#$% bag and egg)


Dad arrives on the nest and issues big wings challenge


Mom stands up and issues her challenge

11:30 cont'd

Mom continues to challenge as she moves around the nest rim keeping the Intruder in her view


Watching the Intruder


Dad claims Mom and then flies off after the Intruder

11:30 to 12;30

Dad flew off and then back on the nest chasing the Intruder several times during this hour. Both birds were on alert the entire time. Restless, moving back and forth, picking at the bag, watching all around down below the nest and above too.

One more of Dad's return to nest and issue a challenge


Intruder flies over the nest

3:58pm MDT

Dad brings Mom the first fish of this season - headless as is his wont




She flies off with it to eat undisturbed elsewhere.

7:00pm MDT


Mom was standing on the nest rim. She had been "calling" (I am guessing at the calling as there is no sound, but she did a wing spread, fluttering, and tail spread, rear end wiggling. I interpret that as a blatant invitation.) She had performed like that several times earlier in the day with no results. This time as she concluded her performance, Dad appeared below the nest heading out very low over the river.



Mom stood and watched him fly away, but - he turned and flew back


He landed on Mom's back, performed as requested and flew off again without ever touching foot to nest.:oops:


Then the cam froze.

Wednesday, May 12

About 10: 30 am MDT

Mom and Dad were on the nest when I logged on. Mom flew off and the image of the bag was revealed. I can not see the egg at all. I did note yesterday afternoon, and forgot to mention, Dad brought in another glove, possibly the mate to the first one. It is in the left front interior edge of the nest



Intruder must be near as Dad went into wing challenge mode. Gave us some really nice images of his wings. I liked this one best



Intruder overhead and Dad gives vocal challenge



Flew off after the intruder and returned fairly quickly. Not sure where Mom went to take her rest and recuperation break

Approximately 11:20 - 11:30am

Another mating


Dad flew off and Mom studied the bag and where the egg might be


She started poking at the bag trying to rearrange it. This is the result and Mom standing to the side as if thinking "what should I do now".


Cam totally shut down at this time.

Thursday May 13


Cam has been down since yesterday at 11:30 MDT

EnMax has posted this comment

Live Camera

We are currently experiencing technical issues with this live camera feed. Please be patient as we try to troubleshoot the problem. We will provide an update as to when the camera will be back up as soon as possible.


Regarding the plastic bag: this was posted on the "blog" on the EnMax site (to say I differ with this platitude is an understatement)

May 12, 2010

Nesting materials can be brought to the nest by both birds, but typically the male brings most of the materials leaving the female to arrange them to her liking. While sticks and sod make up most of the nest, other human items are often found in the midst of construction. The ospreys will often look for plastic or other materials to line the nest to prevent the eggs from falling through cracks. (Ewins, P.J., J.R. Miller, M.E. Barkker. 1994). Starting from scratch the ospreys will take from 10-20 days to build their nest. Then egg laying will begin.

This week a black plastic garbage bag was delivered to the nest by the male. It was incorporated into the nest and shortly therefter the female laid the first egg. Unfortunately the bag continues to blow about in the breeze which appears to stress her. At times the bag has covered the egg completely. The situation is being closely monitored and we'll keep you posted.

Tanya Hope, Interpreter Coordinator at the Calgary Zoo