Do IT till you're satisfied?!!

[rbtree]

But 5 times in 2 hours?!! Wowsers!

To make this more like a movie, choose options on the upper right, then "fast"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbtree/sets/72157630036362089/show/

Here's the set, which has a description http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbtree/sets/72157630036362089/ I wrote:
Shortly after the pair returned from the South, they were greeted with their new platform nest, which they took right to. On this April 18 day, my first visit to the new nest, I was treated to a bawdy show, as the pair mated 5 times while many looked on--perhaps the crows and pigeons as well! "

Since I shot this April 18, I've learned how to set the camera to get more in focus action shots. Also, just Tuesday, I got the latest camera which has vastly improved auto focus, along with other new features. But it, like my Canon 5D Mark ll, which it replaced, is a full frame camera. The 7D, which I shot most of the osprey images with, has a smaller sensor, which means it is better for long telephoto shots.

 

[rbtree]

Today, I was trying out a new tool which intensifies a flash beam. It's only for long lenses. It seemed to work for the shots at the start of this set http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbtree/sets/72157626533749950/show/ which are of a nesting chickadee pair, which have a brood deep inside a cavity low down on the trunk of one of my dying amanogawa cherry trees. They are bringing grubs and spiders as fast as they can to the little chicks.

Here's a few of the over 400 images I shot with the new kick asz 5D Mark lll on Friday, sandwiched between bids, here and there around the Seattle environs. I didn't pick up the camera till Tuesday night http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbtree/sets/72157630088264880/show/

 

[pantheraba]

I really like the picture above...amazing blue. Thanks.

 

[rskybiz]

Great shots!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Stig would be jealous!

 

[vharrison]

Roger, you take the most amazing photographs. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jack]

Beautiful work.

 

[HolmenTree]

Yes beautiful work Roger, think of the potential National Geographic would have with a working climbing arborist in their employ with capabilities like this.
Unless you are already working for them?

 

[gf beranek]

beautiful!

 

[Koala]

Wonderful pics!

 

[mistahbenn]

Excellent pictures Rog.

 

[stig]

My wife and I really get a kick out of your bird pictures.
Thanks for showing them.

 

[rbtree]

Update. Two months after I captured the osprey mating--repeatedly--- the fledglings have hatched.

I've added the new images to the slide show....Dad bringing in a tasty treat and the young heads popping up.

that was last Wednesday, I think.

Link

 

[MasterBlaster]

That's a lotta pitches!!!

 

[TheTreeWiseMen]

Very cool pics, Rog...thanks for posting them. We have osprey hunting on the river behind our house, amazing to sit on the back deck and watch them diving into the river and pulling out fish.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Used to watch tham up at Bass Lake on vacation. There was one shore that was obviously theirs. I'd take the little boat over and just kick back for the show

 

[stig]

Splendid.

My wife just loved those picyures.

 

[treetx]

OMG - Osprey porn!

 

[rbtree]

I have killdeer porn as well, to say nothing of heron porn.....twice for the latter, and each time, the male had a solid bite hold on her neck. Perhaps he was saying, don't move, bitch..!
I'm just now uploading some of the appx 800 images from yesterday....my first day back from a week off (during which I shot close to 4000 pics), instead of doing tree work.

 

[rbtree]

Update, the osprey chicks are growing fast!

I just climbed a pine, then pulled up a pack loaded with water, two camera, and my big 6 pound 300 m lens, in order to look down at the ospreys, that I've been following since April 18, when I started this set with a bang...well, birds don't actualy copulate as do mammals..but they appeared to be having fun....

The sun just came out, so I'm going back today. I may climb the tree again, but this time, I'm going to hang out till I can get them diving for food and coming up full clawed, I hope!

The latest shots in the show are from yesterday's climb...Ballard Ospreys - a set on Flickr

Dad bringing dinner!

Coming back in for a visit.

The older and more robust of the two chicks flexing

 

[MasterBlaster]

Fresh fish!!!

 

[pantheraba]

The clarity of your pictures still amazes me...wonderful images, has to be a blast to see that.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Fantastic pics...those sure are fine looking birds.

 

[rbtree]

i'm tired. Stayed up past two am editing pics, and watching the Olympics. Woke up early as usual, dang it. More Olympics, then went back. No luck on catching the osprey diving for fish...but the more dominant chick is now hopping around the nest when he's doing his wing training....Reckon he'll be venturing into the wide wide world soon. hope I'm lucky enough to catch it. prolly not, but hey...

But I did get some great shots of the Caspian terns successfully diving for fish. Got the kingfishers too, but nothing focused, or even close, in flight. gotta be quick with those critters. Sockeye, coho and chinook salmon are all running. And a juvenile blue heron was directly under the cement walk, not 10 feet down. He barely moved for the hour or so i was around him. Superb detail in the close up images, even with a 2x teleconverter on the 300. Should have taken it off, as he was so close....

We're craning out a cool, but decining 30 degree leaning garry oak tomorrow, going to rig some brush to save crane time, will make for excellent images and video....
Dive!!!

 

[rbtree]

Don't mind me for bumping this oldie

The rookery is now right by the very touristy and busy goverment locks on the Lake Washington Ship Canal. About four years ago, a pair of juvenile eagles harassed the herons at their rookery deep in the woods, but close by. They moved to the current spot and have expanded it to about 70 nests. They were very active yesterday. While some birds have yet to arrive from wherever they may have wintered, about 10 nests have birds already incubating eggs.
This is just three clips of some infighting and nest material collection and a bunch of images shot with my incredibly sharp Canon 70-200 f/2.8L II. It is easy to shoot with it compared to my old 500, especially handheld. And, along with the 22 mp 5D Mk III camera, there's scads of detail which allows for considerable cropping, which is what I did with many of the images.

View on YT, in HD, and full screen for best quality

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