Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) were really active yesterday morning at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, including this one that was gathering materials to either build or repair a nest.
Initially I was standing next to a field that had been cleared some time ago, when an osprey swooped in and snatched up some branches lying on the ground. I was surprised and remember wondering if the osprey would return to the readily available supply of building materials. The osprey returned two or three more times and I was able to capture some cool shots of the osprey transporting some pretty large branches. I was pretty fortunate that the osprey had to fly almost directly over me when it was making its return trips to the unknown nesting location.
There are several nesting platforms in the refuge for ospreys and later in the day I spotted an osprey in one of them. The nest seemed to be pretty much intact from last season, though the osprey seemed to be busily making adjustments and probably was doing some spring cleaning. That may be the subject for a future blog post.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Just wonderful. I see them a lot when they’re here, but they’re always just fishing or flying. How great, to be able to see this part of their lives.
That’s a serious load of building material, an Osprey after my own heart! Great picture, Mike.
Nice captures, Mike. And amazing how big a stick they can fly with.
Benjamin says : “The Daddy Opry is building a home for his family.” We talked about the Osprey’s nest and he hopes that you might be might be able to show one. Amazing photos. Thank-you Mr. Mike!
Very nice Mike! Always fun to photograph Ospreys! Sometimes you think they are diving in the water for a fish and they fly off with a stick for their nest. Some of their nests are amazing!
Once in a while I see an osprey here in Santa Cruz, elegantly plucking small fish out of the San Lorenzo River while dodging crows.
Love the shots of the osprey. Very Nice!
Thanks, Leah. It is cool to see ospreys carrying sticks like that. This past weekend when I was walking around I could hear the crack of branches as the ospreys broke them off from the top of the trees.