Osprey in Caloundra

We visited Caloundra last November, and I spent much of my time stalking osprey, which seems to have become a bit of an obsession for me.  See my blog of osprey in Caloundra in March 2011 at http://jemamum.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

 

Here are some of the shots I took of these beautiful birds, beginning at Bulcock Beach: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calling osprey.

The sound they make is a very high pitched whistle – a much smaller sound than you would expect from such an imposing bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our friends Nev and Di, who live in Caloundra, had told us where to find an osprey nest at the top of a Norfolk Island pine tree.

 

Osprey and nest.

 

 

Osprey with fish in pandanus tree, Moffat Beach.

 

 

 

Osprey with fish on cliff, Moffat Beach.

 

 

 

When I was photographing osprey on Bulcock Beach in the early morning, a council worker watering the gardens there told me that at the swimming pool on King’s Beach, a little further north, there was an abstract sculpture of some sea birds (not sure if they were based on osprey or seagulls), where the osprey often used to perch.  So of course, off I went.

 

It appeared that someone places fish on these sculptures for the osprey, which provided an excellent opportunity for more pictures:.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tail can be a bit tricky……

 

 

Almost finished….

 

Finished!

 

Just a bit of a paddle in the sea to cool down…..

 

A stretch of the wings in the afternoon sun…..

 

This breeze does ruffle a bird’s feathers…..

 

Really must take off this time…..

 

….. and fly home.