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Our local nesting pair has returned to the same snag for the fourth year in a row. A couple of years ago, winter winds destroyed the nest but they rebuilt....must like the location (above Whatcom Creek in Whatcom Falls Park).
I like the light in your shots, Rocky. The one just above yours was taken at about 1pm on Sunday. I'm gonna wager a guess and say yours were taken at 6:30- 7pmish?
I like the light in your shots, Rocky. The one just above yours was taken at about 1pm on Sunday. I'm gonna wager a guess and say yours were taken at 6:30- 7pmish?
Chad
those were taken over a period of about 2 hours, between around 5:30 and 7:30 PM... i like that location because where i sit is directly between the nest and the setting sun, so i have the sun at my back and perfect late afternoon light on the birds. really helps make their markings stand out. and on a clear day, there's nothing but blue behind them... no buildings or trees to muddle up the composition... it also doesn't hurt that i'm able to park within 25 yards of the nest and just sit in the car with the camera ready... since i don't get out and walk around or try to approach the nest pole on foot, the birds don't get agitated. the nest is about 30-35 feet off the ground, so from 25-30 yards away, i can get a fairly decent angle... not like eye level, of course, but i'm not shooting at a 60-degree up angle, either...
for those who want to have a first-hand look at this spot, PM me, and i'll give you directions. it's on a private company's lot right next to the Snohomish River in Everett, but there's rarely anyone there on weekends; if there is, they don't seem to mind photographers. the one time i went there and found workers on the site, i held up my camera with the 100-400 on and asked if they'd mind my photographing the osprey, and they said no problem. more than one or two people might pose a concern, but the osprey would get pretty agitated with more than a couple of people around anyway, and i'd much prefer not to disturb them.
Thursday (6/12/14) I checked the osprey nest at the Meadowdale softball complex in Lynnwood. The male was perched in the nearby family tree, but I could not see any activity in the nest. If the female were sitting on eggs or very young chicks, I would not be able to see her from my angle below the nest.
Osprey are very vocal and a pair frequently communicate with each other. The male called over to the nest a few times, but got no response.
It took off and headed west towards the Sound, presumably to fish.
back to the nest on Riverside Ave this afternoon... still no sign of chicks, though they could be there and just not visible from the low angle i have... in any case, i was able to snag a few shots of dad bringin' home some filet of sole for supper... 7D, 400mm, 1/2000 @ f/7.1
it also doesn't hurt that i'm able to park within 25 yards of the nest and just sit in the car with the camera ready... since i don't get out and walk around or try to approach the nest pole on foot, the birds don't get agitated. the nest is about 30-35 feet off the ground, so from 25-30 yards away, i can get a fairly decent angle... not like eye level, of course, but i'm not shooting at a 60-degree up angle, either...
