Woolwich, Maine

It had been almost a week since I'd visited the nest on August 6, so I decided to take the day off from work to run some errands and check up on the local osprey and eagles. As we arrived at the Taste of Maine ("TOM") Restaurant for lunch, we noted that one of the fledglings seemed to be in the nest, also having lunch (all pics click bigger).

The fledgling did seem a bit defensive as we wandered around taking pictures - even though we didn't get that close.

and eventually Charlie noticed another osprey overhead.

I'm guessing it may not have been from the TOM family - though by now, most fledglings realize they do need to defend their food from siblings - and even from parents, who just might grab it back to teach the chicks that they need to protect their food or they might lose it.

I wandered over to look at the tree where members of the family sometimes perch (no one was home), when I saw Charlie waving to me from the area overlooking the marsh. I didn't exactly hurry over - I was in the part of the parking lot closest to the nest, and didn't want to startle the chick, but I did make good time. And learned that I'd missed watching two osprey escort one of the fledgling eagles from "around the corner" away from the nest. I'm guessing it was the two adults - but it is around the time that Mom would normally begin her migration (typically the female leaves a couple of weeks after the chicks fledge, and the male stays behind for another 2-4 weeks and teaches/demonstrates how to fish, so the fledglings will be able to survive as they all fly south separately for the winter). So it might have been Dad and the more advanced fledgling who chased the young eagle away from the nest.

The eagle had wisely departed by the time I got to the part of the grounds that overlooks the marsh. The two osprey were still out there - somewhere -

but even when my pictures were marginally in focus, I hadn't a clue if it was an adult or a juvie.

We did check to see what else was in the marsh, and saw some Canada geese, as well as a few of the usual ducks

At that point we decided to say goodbye for now to the fledgling,

and head in for lunch, naturally stopping by the monitor briefly

We got a table with a nice view of the nest, and were treated to a nice look at the fledgling as he or she did some flapping and and some practice standing on the perch with wings outspread, feeling the wind. The color is a bit strange on some of these (especially on the full-size versions) because we were taking pictures through the window, and it does have a coating, presumably to minimize the heat when the sun's on that side of the building.

As we were getting into the car, the fledgling took off for a brief flight, and we got a couple of quick shots.

And then it returned to the nest.

And as we started pulling out of the parking lot, it took off again, and did some really graceful swoops and soars around the nest - but of course there was no way I could get my camera to focus through the back window of the car, and suggesting that Charlie stop when we where halfway into a very busy stretch of highway didn't seem like a very good idea - so you'll just have to take my word for the fact that the fledgling looked really good flying out there!

And then we went off to check on the Sasanoa nests - but I think that story will have to wait for another day.

If you'd like to see additional pictures from this nest, and from the osprey and eagle nests "around the corner" on the Sasanoa River, you can use the link for my Local Wildlife Home Page at the top of the page to see an index to all the visits.