"As a group, with their masterly powers of flight and their swashbuckling mode of life,

[elleng]

the birds of prey are by far the most exciting and romantic of all the breeding species....The "King of the Birds," the eagle is recognized the world over as a symbol of power and flight; but surely Nature, in the course of evolution, has not fashioned anything quite so superb in every way as the Osprey." *

- George Waterson
* "Return of the Osprey- A Season of Flight and Wonder", David Gessner , 2001.

[3Hotdogs]

1. I guess it was long about 20 years ago, Sandy Hook, N.J. A Bald Eagle attacked an Osprey nest.

Osprey left the nest to defend it. The Eagle swooped down to attack the Osprey. The Osprey turned itself to fly upside down with talons extended upwards. If the Eagle continued the attack, it would have gotten a belly full of Osprey talon.

The Eagle made a turn to the west and went on to find another victim (or steal a fish from another unfortunate hunter.)

[SheltieLover]

4. Wow!

I didn't realize they can fly upside down!

I sure have been enjoying watching Ellen's posts.

Wonderful parents they are!

Thx for sharing!

[KT2000]

2. What a nest!!

[elleng]

3. A great one, been here for ? 20? years,

protected from the worst winds/weather due to location, on roof of small boathouse over creek east of river on little peninsula.

[SheltieLover]

5. Do they reuse it?

Thx for sharing!

[elleng]

6. Been using it at least ever since I've been here, 7 years.

They leave in August/September, for south/central America, after youngsters have learned to fly and catch food, and return in March, around St. Patrick's Day; the 'kids' don't return here, take 1-2 year break south, and allegedly return to their home neighborhood, but not to here.

[SheltieLover]

7. That's great, Ellen!

Ty for sharing!