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I hope I haven't bored you with all these landing and take off images, but I am hoping that it can give you a feel of the urgency and haste that Dad was exhibiting

re: BET: forum/viewtopic.php?topic=60645#60645

Not boring at all, BET. Have come to depend on your observations and images of the Calgary nest.


About the red thing in the water: My first thought was that the humans put their cooler of beer in the water. Guess I lived in NW Montana too long.

5:45pm MDT

The nest was empty, when movement caught my eye. An Osprey landed from direction of the cam, full wing span and another - who turned out to be Mom landed coming in from the left side and forced the other off the nest. I don't know if it was Dad, protecting, or an intruder being brazen. Probably Dad, judging from the direction as he has always liked to perch on top of the cam from where he can easily survey his world. Unfortunately, I did not capture it. But an aerial battle went on for about 20 minutes. Mom, guarded the eggs, her head swiveling and her beak open - I guessing calling threats. Sure wish there were two cams, one wide wide angle and the other up close.

Suddenly a wing and tail zipped over the nest - Mom defensive - tail feathers spread - ready to attack. Dad fending off Intruder or Intruder?



Mom's head continued it's swiveling and soon another fly over - again, Dad defending or Intruder, I don't know

5:45 pm MDT
Evidently the Intruder came too close. Mom leaped up to attack



She landed on the far side of the nest



Continued her challenge stance as she moved over the eggs



She settled back down over the eggs, but her head kept up its active swivel. I am guessing the aerial display continued but not so close to the nest as she remained very alert for the next 15 minutes or so

6:34 pm
Dad came flying in. At first I thought maybe he brought Mom a fish because she scrambled to get up so quickly but as soon as he flew off she settled on the eggs again. No fish

I have a theory about the intruder, but I hope I'm wrong.
Since we're almost certain this is a new female this year I keep wondering if the original female is in the area and trying to claim her nest back again. Maybe she was late migrating back :dunno: It would really be sad if that's the case.

7:11 pm
Mom up for an egg roll before snuggling herself over the eggs again.