The faithful watchers of the osprey cam call themselves the WWOC after a visitor cam on one day and left in disgust when confronted with the discussion going on, calling them the world's worst osprey chat. W can now stand for worst or wackiest, take your pick. The WWOC is wacky. Their discussions range from ospreys, to other birds, to recipes, art discussions, science, and jokes. But the conversation is clean and polite, and visitors are always welcome. Some take right away to the wackiness, others come on briefly to ask and get answers to their osprey questions, then leave. It is a place to ask whatever you wish to ask, and usually get an answer, to have fun, and to learn much, on any topic, but especially about the ospreys. For the WWOC has observed these birds for 5 years now and has faithfully recorded their life in detail.
In the course of discussion, chatters have learned vocabulary from ornithology and have made up other words. One chatter compiled a list of these words as a reference. So Richard's Glossary is posted below. Feel free to comment here or to contact the webmaster to add a word.
In the course of discussion, chatters have learned vocabulary from ornithology and have made up other words. One chatter compiled a list of these words as a reference. So Richard's Glossary is posted below. Feel free to comment here or to contact the webmaster to add a word.
WWOC Glossary April 6, 2019, first edition by Richard
ATN Around The Nest Web camera positioned on the crane, pointing at the nest and environs from a
distance. As opposed to the Nest Close Up camera
Bobblehead Infant chick
Breakfish n. first meal of the day
Brisa Youngest of the three 2018 chicks, known for her voracious appetite and for occupying the RYC nest at the end of the 2018 season.
Cap Capture Photo grabbed from web camera feed
CK "Cloacal kiss" Copulation, osprey type See, for example http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cloacal
(the) corner Spot where those who, by virtue of a disgraceful typo or other human frailty, are sent for punishment Puritanical influence strong GailMac, proprietor of the corner, was the only one who could “put” you there. The corner has been pulled out of use. One wonder when and how it might reappear.
CPS Chick protective services Agency to contact when osprey parents are neglecting their young, or the young are otherwise in danger
Donuts Condition or manifestation of a server failure, causing the nest cam image to devolve into a spinning circle “Oh no, the nest cam has gone donuts for me. How about you?”
Eyebrow Richmond’s distinctive black line on his right profile that resembles an eyebrow One of Richmond’s identifying marks. Chatters also look for his dark “knee patches" and the Spade or Heart shaped spot on the top of his head.
Facectomy Removal of fish face by eating Richmond delivered the fish with a facectomy.
Feak v.transitive & intransitive) To clean (one’s beak) by wiping against a nearby surface. Feaking after every meal helps keep the beak clean and disease-free. Feaking against a hard surface, like the steel cables of the Whirley Crane, also sharpens beak edges, like honing a knife.
Fingie n. finger
Fishing line VERY hazardous to the birds as they can get tangled up or strangled by it Sometimes brought to the nest
Flappercize n. & v.i. See wingercize
Frustration nest Collection of sticks and grass stashed on the sheave, the system of pulleys seen from the ATN cam In chat-speak mini-nest, balcony, upper nest or other term. Most used in the pre-season, and then after the chicks have gone.
J idiom “To pull a J.” v.i., to claim to have seen a fish on the cam when no fish exists
Jacksnack n. a small jacksmelt or similar fish, especially one eaten quickly “The chicks only had a jacksnack this morning, so they’re still hungry.”
Mantle Protective spread of wings
Matrix n. “The Matrix” 1. The Live Chat Fish Counting Matrix
2. A diabolically complex situation from which escape may be difficult or impossible.
Necklace Used to describe the spots that mostly occur on female Ospreys In Rosie’s case necklace also refers to the spotted bandana that her namesake Rosie-the-Riveter wore. Chatters also look for the Eiffel Tower shaped spot on the top of her head.
Nestoration, Nestorating Nest preparation May also refer to ongoing nest maintenance. Further linguistic research required.
NFNS No Fish & No Stick Osprey returns to nest with empty talon sfbayospreys.org fans often in distress at this realization
Nit v.i. & v.t. to nitpick
n. a minor dispute or correction of another’s chat post.
interj. 1. used to admonish someone for making a minor critique “Nit, nit nit!”
2. used to preemptively admit that the critique one is making is a small one “I’m sure you meant to say ‘talons’ (nit).”
O n. an Osprey “I see one O on the cable but I can’t tell who it is.”
Osprey Yoga Meme by craigor
Pancake To flatten on nest in defensive move (v) Rosie sounded an intruder alert, and one of the chicks pancaked
PFM n. Plainfin Midshipman, aka “Humming Toadfish” (Porichthys notatus) A fish of striking appearance and fascinating habits. PFM made up about 5% of the recorded 2018 catch.
Pog n. Obstruction of the view due to Osprey nestling excretions on the camera housing; contraction of “poop fog” “The new self-washing feature should really help with the pog this year.”
adj. Poggy
POL n. “Proof of Life” Photographic evidence of something mentioned or claimed in a Live Chat post
Richmond Male osprey resident of the ROV nest Two years ago Richmond and Rosie shared the same nest, had 3 eggs, two of which hatched, of which 1 survived fledging. Last year, they had 3 active chicks.
Rosie Female osprey resident of the ROV nest
Rivet 2017 offspring of Rosie and Richmond Fledged and departed for “Cabo” for a couple of years. Or so it is said. Expected back in town Spring 2019. Banded with the letters ZR, which for some stand in as a name. Returned to the area but has been seen only once.
Roemer aka “Remy” Eldest of the three 2018 chicks
ROV Red Oak Victory The World War II ship alongside which the Whirley Crane sits (see below), in which the osprey nest is found.
RTH Red Tailed Hawk
RVB n.pl. The three 2018 chicks, Roemer, Victory, and Brisa, collectively
RYC Richmond Yacht Club Site of another Osprey nest As of 3/24/2018 two osprey residing, incubating egg(s); Richmond resided RYC nest three years ago
Snakey Purple, stuffed snake, that spent much of last year’s nesting period on the nest Some believe that Snakey served as a third parent for the 2017 chick cohort. After nest season, Snakey was retrieved from the nest, cleaned, and now resides in a special, glass enclosure at craigor’s residence.
SOD Sweet Osprey Dreams As in, Good night friends; SOD. Said at night, when signing off Live Chat
Victory aka “Vic” Second of the three 2018 chicks
Whirley Rivet’s 2017 sibling Died from internal injuries sustained in a fall into the water, just after fledging. During banding Rivet and Whirley were identified as females.
Whirley Crane (Former) revolving boxcar with 110-foot boom, sitting on massive legs Adjacent to the ROV ship
Wingercize Wing exercise (n, v) When the chicks stretch their wings. May apply also to adults. In early morning hours adults and kids would always stretch their wings a bit before flying.
w*** (spellings vary) Term for (1) vocation or paid employment, or (2) any form of obligatory labor requiring effort The most notable feature of w*** is that it detracts from time spent watching the Osprey cam and participating on the chat, although in some circumstances doing household chores is believed to encourage desirable outcomes around the nest.
WWOC World's Worst Osprey Chat The second W can be modified as befits whim: Wackiest, Wisest, Wittiest, etc. World’s Wanton Osprey Chat?
“World’s Worst Osprey Chat” originated in 2017 when a new chatter appeared and exclaimed this was the worst chat they’d ever seen. Rather than be offended, the chat group embraced it.
General geography – prominent features seen from the nest cams
Bird Island Southwest of Brooks Island Called Hat Island by some Chatters because it reminds them of the Magritte painting, “Man in a Bowler Hat"
Brooks Island Island, with breakwater sand spit attached Nesting habitat for terns and gulls
Dolphin Two or more pilings lashed together at their top ends in a conical arrangement, used as a channel marker One of the dolphins in this picture supported an Osprey nest in 2017
Rigger’s Loft Former shipyard building across the roadway from ROV Current use: wine bar, tasting room, working winery, cidery Back in the day, used for fitting out the top part of the completed vessel with masts and other equipment
Roof Tiki Image on roof of Riggers Loft Wine Co, across Canal Blvd. from ROV; also referred to as Tiki Man
Warning: your results may differ
Ship stuff
Bulker, or bulk carrier Ship with non-containerized cargo usually kept in large holds Bulkers carrying sand, gravel, gypsum, coal, and petro-coke pass by the camera regularly. We get a lot of car carriers too (many of whose names end in Leader), and some tankers. Most Richmond-bound tankers go to the Chevron-operated RLW (Richmond Long Wharf) instead of passing by the camera to the Inner Harbor.
Pivot, or Point Potrero Pivot Two tugs swinging a long ship around to enter the Inner Harbor channel backwards
Henry: Hon. Henry Jackman. A very long ship that visits often, belching dark smoke.
Thanks to craigor and other chatters for this year’s updates. And to previous generations of WWOCers for everything.
Under consideration for future use
Clog Copulation log
Flog Fish log
Llog Litter log
OGs Osprey Gossips
Plog Poo log
Slog Stick log
Non-Osprey talk
AFAIK As far as I know
BRB Be right back
IIRC If I recall correctly
IM(H)O In my (humble) opinion
WTK What the kick
YMMV Your mileage may vary People may have a different opinion or experience compared to yours
ATN Around The Nest Web camera positioned on the crane, pointing at the nest and environs from a
distance. As opposed to the Nest Close Up camera
Bobblehead Infant chick
Breakfish n. first meal of the day
Brisa Youngest of the three 2018 chicks, known for her voracious appetite and for occupying the RYC nest at the end of the 2018 season.
Cap Capture Photo grabbed from web camera feed
CK "Cloacal kiss" Copulation, osprey type See, for example http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cloacal
(the) corner Spot where those who, by virtue of a disgraceful typo or other human frailty, are sent for punishment Puritanical influence strong GailMac, proprietor of the corner, was the only one who could “put” you there. The corner has been pulled out of use. One wonder when and how it might reappear.
CPS Chick protective services Agency to contact when osprey parents are neglecting their young, or the young are otherwise in danger
Donuts Condition or manifestation of a server failure, causing the nest cam image to devolve into a spinning circle “Oh no, the nest cam has gone donuts for me. How about you?”
Eyebrow Richmond’s distinctive black line on his right profile that resembles an eyebrow One of Richmond’s identifying marks. Chatters also look for his dark “knee patches" and the Spade or Heart shaped spot on the top of his head.
Facectomy Removal of fish face by eating Richmond delivered the fish with a facectomy.
Feak v.transitive & intransitive) To clean (one’s beak) by wiping against a nearby surface. Feaking after every meal helps keep the beak clean and disease-free. Feaking against a hard surface, like the steel cables of the Whirley Crane, also sharpens beak edges, like honing a knife.
Fingie n. finger
Fishing line VERY hazardous to the birds as they can get tangled up or strangled by it Sometimes brought to the nest
Flappercize n. & v.i. See wingercize
Frustration nest Collection of sticks and grass stashed on the sheave, the system of pulleys seen from the ATN cam In chat-speak mini-nest, balcony, upper nest or other term. Most used in the pre-season, and then after the chicks have gone.
J idiom “To pull a J.” v.i., to claim to have seen a fish on the cam when no fish exists
Jacksnack n. a small jacksmelt or similar fish, especially one eaten quickly “The chicks only had a jacksnack this morning, so they’re still hungry.”
Mantle Protective spread of wings
Matrix n. “The Matrix” 1. The Live Chat Fish Counting Matrix
2. A diabolically complex situation from which escape may be difficult or impossible.
Necklace Used to describe the spots that mostly occur on female Ospreys In Rosie’s case necklace also refers to the spotted bandana that her namesake Rosie-the-Riveter wore. Chatters also look for the Eiffel Tower shaped spot on the top of her head.
Nestoration, Nestorating Nest preparation May also refer to ongoing nest maintenance. Further linguistic research required.
NFNS No Fish & No Stick Osprey returns to nest with empty talon sfbayospreys.org fans often in distress at this realization
Nit v.i. & v.t. to nitpick
n. a minor dispute or correction of another’s chat post.
interj. 1. used to admonish someone for making a minor critique “Nit, nit nit!”
2. used to preemptively admit that the critique one is making is a small one “I’m sure you meant to say ‘talons’ (nit).”
O n. an Osprey “I see one O on the cable but I can’t tell who it is.”
Osprey Yoga Meme by craigor
Pancake To flatten on nest in defensive move (v) Rosie sounded an intruder alert, and one of the chicks pancaked
PFM n. Plainfin Midshipman, aka “Humming Toadfish” (Porichthys notatus) A fish of striking appearance and fascinating habits. PFM made up about 5% of the recorded 2018 catch.
Pog n. Obstruction of the view due to Osprey nestling excretions on the camera housing; contraction of “poop fog” “The new self-washing feature should really help with the pog this year.”
adj. Poggy
POL n. “Proof of Life” Photographic evidence of something mentioned or claimed in a Live Chat post
Richmond Male osprey resident of the ROV nest Two years ago Richmond and Rosie shared the same nest, had 3 eggs, two of which hatched, of which 1 survived fledging. Last year, they had 3 active chicks.
Rosie Female osprey resident of the ROV nest
Rivet 2017 offspring of Rosie and Richmond Fledged and departed for “Cabo” for a couple of years. Or so it is said. Expected back in town Spring 2019. Banded with the letters ZR, which for some stand in as a name. Returned to the area but has been seen only once.
Roemer aka “Remy” Eldest of the three 2018 chicks
ROV Red Oak Victory The World War II ship alongside which the Whirley Crane sits (see below), in which the osprey nest is found.
RTH Red Tailed Hawk
RVB n.pl. The three 2018 chicks, Roemer, Victory, and Brisa, collectively
RYC Richmond Yacht Club Site of another Osprey nest As of 3/24/2018 two osprey residing, incubating egg(s); Richmond resided RYC nest three years ago
Snakey Purple, stuffed snake, that spent much of last year’s nesting period on the nest Some believe that Snakey served as a third parent for the 2017 chick cohort. After nest season, Snakey was retrieved from the nest, cleaned, and now resides in a special, glass enclosure at craigor’s residence.
SOD Sweet Osprey Dreams As in, Good night friends; SOD. Said at night, when signing off Live Chat
Victory aka “Vic” Second of the three 2018 chicks
Whirley Rivet’s 2017 sibling Died from internal injuries sustained in a fall into the water, just after fledging. During banding Rivet and Whirley were identified as females.
Whirley Crane (Former) revolving boxcar with 110-foot boom, sitting on massive legs Adjacent to the ROV ship
Wingercize Wing exercise (n, v) When the chicks stretch their wings. May apply also to adults. In early morning hours adults and kids would always stretch their wings a bit before flying.
w*** (spellings vary) Term for (1) vocation or paid employment, or (2) any form of obligatory labor requiring effort The most notable feature of w*** is that it detracts from time spent watching the Osprey cam and participating on the chat, although in some circumstances doing household chores is believed to encourage desirable outcomes around the nest.
WWOC World's Worst Osprey Chat The second W can be modified as befits whim: Wackiest, Wisest, Wittiest, etc. World’s Wanton Osprey Chat?
“World’s Worst Osprey Chat” originated in 2017 when a new chatter appeared and exclaimed this was the worst chat they’d ever seen. Rather than be offended, the chat group embraced it.
General geography – prominent features seen from the nest cams
Bird Island Southwest of Brooks Island Called Hat Island by some Chatters because it reminds them of the Magritte painting, “Man in a Bowler Hat"
Brooks Island Island, with breakwater sand spit attached Nesting habitat for terns and gulls
Dolphin Two or more pilings lashed together at their top ends in a conical arrangement, used as a channel marker One of the dolphins in this picture supported an Osprey nest in 2017
Rigger’s Loft Former shipyard building across the roadway from ROV Current use: wine bar, tasting room, working winery, cidery Back in the day, used for fitting out the top part of the completed vessel with masts and other equipment
Roof Tiki Image on roof of Riggers Loft Wine Co, across Canal Blvd. from ROV; also referred to as Tiki Man
Warning: your results may differ
Ship stuff
Bulker, or bulk carrier Ship with non-containerized cargo usually kept in large holds Bulkers carrying sand, gravel, gypsum, coal, and petro-coke pass by the camera regularly. We get a lot of car carriers too (many of whose names end in Leader), and some tankers. Most Richmond-bound tankers go to the Chevron-operated RLW (Richmond Long Wharf) instead of passing by the camera to the Inner Harbor.
Pivot, or Point Potrero Pivot Two tugs swinging a long ship around to enter the Inner Harbor channel backwards
Henry: Hon. Henry Jackman. A very long ship that visits often, belching dark smoke.
Thanks to craigor and other chatters for this year’s updates. And to previous generations of WWOCers for everything.
Under consideration for future use
Clog Copulation log
Flog Fish log
Llog Litter log
OGs Osprey Gossips
Plog Poo log
Slog Stick log
Non-Osprey talk
AFAIK As far as I know
BRB Be right back
IIRC If I recall correctly
IM(H)O In my (humble) opinion
WTK What the kick
YMMV Your mileage may vary People may have a different opinion or experience compared to yours