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Fly with the Ospreys

This is a page about  the Whirley Crane Osprey nest in Richmond. CA. Its purpose is to provide information to those who are new to the cam.  It also proffers osprey related poetry, songs and stories. If you have a poem or song or chart you'd like to see on this site, please contact Midi.
All writing and personal photos are the property of the authors and may be shared only for non profitable purposes. Courtesy would dictate letting this site know if you do so. 
All photos captured from the camera are the property of and used by permission from the Golden Gate Bird Alliance. They are not to be copied from this site without permission from GGABA If you enjoy this site, please consider sending a contribution to:
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goldengatebirdalliance.org

Part 6: Developing Chicks Week 2-5

5/25/2022

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After only one week, the chicks are coming out from under Rosie to look around.  They can lift their heads and track movement. And they have learned to open their beaks to get fish. Their development will be quick now, as they develop their wings, talons, and tails.  They will learn to stand and to move around the nest, keeping their parents busy. And they will demand more fish than ever. We hope Richie is up to the task of providing fish this year. He has been doing a valiant job but seems to come empty taloned more than in the past, due probably to his missing talon. Stay tuned for a wild ride on the Whirley Nest!
Week 2 Becoming aware, developing wings and standing. 
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Developing wings. May 25. cap by midi
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They have wings and goosebumps now. May 25, 2022. cap by midi
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Standing erect and aware. May 25, 2022. cap by midi
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Chick A beginning to wander off. May 26, 2022. cap by midi
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Sibling awareness. May 27, 2022. cap by FW
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awareness of surroundings. Chick A. May 30, 2022. cap by midi
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Bay talons. May 27, 2022. cap by dinnae ken
Two growing chicks require sustenance and Richie has had to up his game lately. He has responded valiantly, although he catches fewer fish than in past years and Rosie has done more fishing. For a few days, she was finding pfm's close by, leaving and returning to the nest in just a few minutes. Fishermen bait, one wonders?
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A Striped Bass feast. May 26, 2022. 19:26 pm. cap by FW
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Oopsie daisy. Chick B topples over. May 27, 2022. cap by ES.
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Full crop. May 27, 2022. cap by J
The chicks' appearance seems to change daily. First down, the white pimply skin, then the second dark down and now feathers beginning to show. Which makes them itchy.
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May 29, 2022 cap by FW
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Fish to the nest. May 29, 2022. cap by dinnae ken
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Time to eat. 9:40 am. May 30, 2022. cap by midi
Chick B falls upside down then rights itself. Rosie is unperturbed.   VA.
After a fish meal, the chicks fall asleep. Often Richie and Rosie both rest on the nest in the mid afternoon. A quiet family time.
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Chicks napping under Rosie after lunch. May 30, 2022. cap by midi
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One chick for each parent for their afternoon siesta. May 30 at 1:32 pm. cap by midi
Chick A decided it would grab the fish intestine for itself. But the gut got caught in its beak. It valiantly tried to swallow the intestine bit by bit and Rosie helped a bit, finally getting the chick free from the gut. See the entertaining video on the sfbayospreys Youtube channel.
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Chick A eating a fish intestine. Photo from VA video, May 31, 2022
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Rosie tries to help, resulting in a gut tug-of-war. May 31, 2022 cay by FW.
Week 3  Exploring, awareness of the world around them
The chicks are sleeping in the open more and are beginning to wander around the nest. Rosie is bringing in sticks to build up the nest rails, so that her wandering chicks will be safe. They are also more aware of their surroundings and beginning to watch for Richie to bring a fish. And getting proficient at poops shots away from others. They have little tussles but on the whole get along quite well, compared to previous chicks. 
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Rosie nestorating. June 2, 2022 cap by midi
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sibling tussle. June 3, 2022. cap by C
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Chick B bullied into submission by Chick A. June 10, 2022. cap by midi
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Rosie nestorating. June 3, 2022. cap by midi
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poop shot. May 31, 2022. cap by Tweeter
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Looking out at the world June 6, 2022. cap by midi
The chicks' appearance is changing to a darker down, and their feathers are beginning to come in, making them itchy. Their wings are developing and they are beginning to flap them, as well as to use them to get around on their knees. 
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Itchy feathers coming in. June 3, 2022. cap by midi
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Black down coming in and feathers. JUne 2, 2022. cap by midi
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Close-up of black down. JUne 2, 2022. cap by PP
 Wing flapping by Chick A.   June 5, 2022.  video from VA
Despite his damaged talon, Richie has been bringing plenty of fish to the nest, mainly striped bass and jack smelt. He and Rosie have also both brought some Plainfin Midshipmen. And a first-ever Lingcod. The Fish Matrix below the Live Chat has a full report on all fish brought to the nest. The chicks have learned when the fish are coming and also to tell Rosie they are hungry. Richie also babysits while Rosie goes to bathe, eat or just have some alone time. 
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Mama, I'm hungry. June 1, 2022. cap by midi
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Feeding time. June 7, 2022. cap by midi
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Richie on duty. June 1, 2022. cap by midi
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Two stripers! May 31, 2022 cap by PP
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Watching for Richie to bring a fish. June 6, 2022. cap by midi
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Full crops but still eating. June 7, 2022. cap by midi
The chicks are becoming quite adept at eating. They sit ready to take bites, reach for fish and even take the long gut and try to swallow it. Rosie seems to be showing them some tricks such as how to eat a fish tail. They have also become adept at shooting their poop off the nest. 
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Chick B gets the gut. June 10, 2022. cap by midi
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Adept poop shot. June 7, 2022. cpa by Dinnae ken
The chicks are growing rapidly. Rosie was spreading her wings to keep them covered at night, but now they squirm out from under her, wanting to peek out. 
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Rosie trying to cover the chicks at night. June 5, 2022. cap by midi
The first egg, which never hatched, is still on the nest. Sometimes, Rosie carefully rolls it and sits on it. 
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Peeking out at night. June 9, 2022. cap by midi
There are occasional intruders but Rosie and Richie ably defend the nest. One visitor seemed to excite them but it turned out another osprey was flying around as well. The egret was not a threat and was let be.
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Egret visitor. June 6, 2022. cap by craigor, enhanced by FW
Weeks 4 and 5 Developing adult features and behavior
In week 4, the chicks are developing wings and beginning to use them to stretch and to flap. They are learning to walk, using their oversized feet. They have tail buds. And they have learned to track and now take interest in the world beyond the nest, sitting and watching out over the Bay. They take more initiative when feeding and are learning to eat guts and skin, as well as the nice white fish flesh.They have also become quite proficient at sending their poop over the edge, although Rosie has received several hits.  This pair has been quite calm and there have been few squabbles. They have also become too big to fit under Rosie and sleep out in the open more. They do still cuddle against each other. 
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Tailbuds. June 10, 2022. cap by FW
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Chick talons. June 12, 2022. cap by midi
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wing stretch. June 14, 2022. cap by Tweeter
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Sleeping in the open. June 11, 2022. cap by midi
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wingercize. June 12, 2022. cap by C
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poop shot. June 14, 2022. gif by craigor
PictureRosie regards the egg. June 13, 2022. cap by FW
The first egg, never hatched, remains on the nest. Sometimes it is ignored, other times the chicks rest against it, and sometimes Rosie tends to it, fluffing up the nest material around it, even sitting on it. 

One interesting incident was when Rosie flew in a dead bird. After much discussion, it was decided that the bird was a gull. The chicks had little interest in eating it and Rosie eventually flew it back out.
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Rosie brings in a bird. June 12, 2022 cap by Dinnae ken
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Momma, what is this Do we have to eat it?
The chicks have been banded and have official names! They were banded early Saturday, June 18, off camera. The bands are the eldest XA and the youngest WM. Their names, chosen by the powers that be from names suggested on Facebook and chat, are Brooks and Molate. Brooks for the island and Molate for the point and other locations with that name in the area. 
The name Moleta was applied in Mexican times to the island known as Red Rock, probably because its conical shape resembles the conical stone (called moleta in Spanish) used by painters to grind colors. Beechy in 1826 misspelled it “molate,” and this version was adopted in 1851 by the Coast Survey when it used the island as a secondary triangulation station. Point Molate was named by the survey in 1854. 
More Information on Pt. Molate's history and the name can be found at:
 https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/45313/Point-Molate-History-PP?bidId=
Brooks Island is an East Bay Regional Park, accessible only by park tours. The name Brooks goes back to the 1850's but the origin has never been found. 
The chicks continue to develop adult features and behavior. Their feathers are coming in and they're losing that baby look. They have talons and walk upright. Their wings are large. they stretch them and soon will be flapping and learning to fly. Their eyes have turned golden and they use them to track moving objects over the Bay. They are showing more awareness of their parents, each other, and intruders, as well as boats and people. But at night, they are still babies, sometimes struggling to fit under their mother to stay warm.
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NIght time huddle. June 16, 2022. cap by midi
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What do you see, Sis? June 17, 2022. cap by midi
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Looking out over the Bay. June 14, 2022. cap by midi
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Rosie staying alert to protect her chicks. June 14, 2022. cap by midi
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Mama Rosie teaching her chicks and making sure they don't go off the edge. They're watching the ship go by. Dad is on the crane, resting,watching for fish. June 21, 2022. cap by midi
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New tails developing. June 20, 2022. cap by midi
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Feathers coming in. June 17, 2022. p by midi
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Chick eye. June 17, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken
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The osprey family, including Eggie, who just stays the same. June 16, 2022 cap by Dianne A.
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Home alone. June 18, 2022. cap by midi
While the two chicks grow rapidly, the first egg lies on the nest unchanged, never growing. But it is still there. As it is natural and doing no harm, the powers that be left it when they cleared the nest of such hazards as the two ropes that were there on banding day. 
Rosie feels comfortable leaving the chicks alone on the nest now, but she stays nearby, ready to step in when necessary. Richie, too, though he may not be seen by the cam, is usually nearby and shows up quickly when an intruder approaches. 
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Part 5: Week 1 Hatching May   18-25

5/18/2022

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The eggs have hatched! The first egg went past its due date and is probably not viable. The second egg hatched on May 17 at 16:00 pm. It is quite an active chick already, sitting up asking to be fed. The third egg hatched on May 18 at 16:35 pm. 
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Three eggs May 16. cap by J
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Richie performs a dance. May 16. cap by dinnae ken
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Egg id by Robin. Egg #2 hatched first and is Chick A.
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Rosie and Richie looking a their eggs. May 16. cap by Tweeter.
Chick A from Egg #2 showed a pip at  15:33 on May 17. It hatched at 4 pm. 
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Crack in egg #2. May 17. 15:38. cap by dinnae ken
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Rosie removes the shell. ay 17 at 15:59. cap by lurker
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Chick A and two eggs. May 17. 20:06. cap by dinnae ken
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Daddy, feed me. May 18. at 6:41 am. cap by dinnae ken.
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Hatchling. May 17 at 17:05. cap by lurker
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"The Kiss" by Hank Ezra. May 17
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Chick A on its back May 18 at 641 am.cap by dinnae ken
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hungry chick. May 18 at 643 am. gif by J
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Chick A. My 18, 2022. 6:39 am. cap by dinnae ken.
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Egg #3 had the shell of Egg #2 over it, but it persisted and pushed its way out to hatch on May 18 at 4:35 pm. It is wobblier than its older sibling and not as outgoing, but it is also a day younger. 
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eggshell over Egg#3. May 17 2022 cap by lurker
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Crack in Egg #3 May 17, 2022 at 21:23 pm. cap by dinnae ken
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Pip on Egg #3 May 18, 2022. 11:27 am
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Waiting for little sibling May 18, 2022 cap by benjamin
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Egg #3 pip hole May 18, 2022 16:04 pm. cap by C
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Food coma while waiting for little sibling to hatch. May 18, 2022. 16:35 pm. cap by lurker
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Hatch #2. Chick B. May 18, 2022 at 1633pm. cap by Chappy
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Hatch #2. Chick B hatches at 16:45 pm on May 18, 2022
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First feeding for Chick B. May 18, 2022 at 19:32 pm. cap by lurker
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food coma. May 18, 2022 1939 pm. gif by B
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Two chicks and Egg#1. May 18, 2022 1749 pm. gif by J
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Where's breakfast? May 19, 2022 7:54 am cap by dinnae ken
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Here's the fish! May 19, 2022 8:37 am. cap by midi
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Where's breakfast? The kids are hungry. May 19, 2022. 8:16 am. cap by midi
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Morning feeding. May 19, 2022 8:37 am. gif by J
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Post prandial heap May 19, 2022. 9:31 am. cap by dinnae ken
May 20
Daily life with chicks has established itself. Richie has been bringing fish in regularly. Rosie feeds the chicks then they fall into a food coma for a while and she rests. Richie takes over for a while so that she can take a short break. This repeats two or more times a day.
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Waiting for breakfast. 8:30 am.
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Breakfast is served. gif by B
On Friday, May 20, an unusual event occurred. First, chatters thought that Richie and Rosie were arguing over a fish remnant, then they realized that there was an intruder on the nest trying to steal that piece of fish. this went on for quite a while. Unlike usual intruders, this one was allowed on the nest. A young female perhaps? She had no band. 
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Intruder trying to land to get a fish Richie delivered. 9:40 am. from VA
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The intruder on the nest, waiting. 10:33 am. cap by dinnae ken.
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Tug of war between intruder and Rosie. 10:37 am. cap by lurker
Eventually the intruder left, after Rosie gave it the stinkeye. 
And it was time for lunch. No fish were delivered after the lunchtime fish.
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Waiting for lunch. 12:24 pm cap by FW The egg is the first one laid and presumed to be unviable.
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Post prandial snooze with Richie on guard. 12:54 pm. cap by midi.
May 21-23. Quick development. The chicks are learning to eat properly and to track movement with their eye.  They are in the bop'em stage and have proto wings. . They still have their egg tooth. Their main job is to eat and to sleep. They are beginning to peek out from under Rosie. 
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Waiting for breakfast. May 22, 2022. 7:41 am. cap by Dennae ken
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First fish of the day. 5 22 2022 9:55 am. cap by dinnae ken
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Close-up
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Plain Finn Midshipman for lunch. May 21 2022 12:18 pm. cap by J
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Hi Mom. May 23, 2022. at 9:09 am. cap by midi
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Rock 'em, sock'em. May 21 2022. gif by B
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Quiet time 5 23 2022. at 9:08 am. cap by midi
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This behavior was explained by one chatter as the chicks learning to track movement. But there also seems to be a certain sibling rivalry as well, which continues for a while. Whichever it is all a learning experience.
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Rosie and her chicks. May 23, 2022. 12:23 pm. cap by midi
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Two chicks. May 23, 2022 643 am. cap by Tweeter
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Rosie and one chick. May 23, 2022. 1536 pm. cap by J
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Two chicks upright. May 24, 2022. 7:54 am. cap by midi
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Finally supper! May 23, 2022. 1949 pm. gif by J
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chick pillow. May 24, 2022 8:57 am. cap by nidi
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evening striper May 24, 2022. 19:23 pm. cap by dinnae ken
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Unviable egg still here, acting as a pillow. May 25, 2022 cap by FW
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Family on the nest. May 24, 2022. cap by MW
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Incoming nest material. May 25, 2022. 8:57 am. cap by dinnae ken
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flopping fish May 25. gif by B
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Rosie flies in with a Plain Fin MIdshipman. 20:06 pm. May 25, 2022. cap by dinnae ken
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meme by FW
There has been some concern about Richie's left rear talon. It was noticed by chatters that he had poor footing then one chatter saw that a rear talon was missing. It could grow back in, but so far it is a stub. It could be just a broken talon that will regrow, much as our fingernails do, or it could be an injury that doesn't allow regrowth, or it could be a fungus. We can only watch to see. 
He has been a bit lax in delivering fish this year and has not visited the reservoir. He often comes back from fishing empty-taloned. So it would seem that the missing talon does impair his fishing ability, catching and/or transporting a fish. 
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Richie's talon nub. May 24, 2022. cap by chappy
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Handsome Richie, proud father May 24, 2022. cap by C
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    Midi

    is a poet and writer of children's stories who has been watching the adventures of the ospreys on the Whirley Crane Nest in Richmond, Ca. for the past eight years. 

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    The Archive will not let me keep posts except by date. So before 2020, the dates are not accurate. The subjects of posts before then are listed here:

    June 2019 WWOC Glossary
    May 2019 Life of an Osprey in Nuce
    March 2019- chapter by chapter for years 2017-1019
    February 2019- Rivet's Diary
    January 2019- The Nest
    October 2018- The Boats
    Sept. 2018- The Fish
    July 2018 In Memoriam 
    andThe Red Oak Victory ship
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