Juvenile Osprey walks over adult

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alcatraz
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Juvenile Osprey walks over adult

At first glimpse I thought these Ospreys were about to mate. Then something incredible dawned on me. The Osprey on top, a juvenile, deliberately landed on the adult so it could transfer to a nearby branch. Using its wings to levitate the juvenile walked up the adult’s back and then jumped over to a nearby branch.  It had just flown from the Osprey’s nest a few metres away where it had been screeching for food. As soon as it swapped to the branch it continued its screeching … just centimetres away from the adult, which I think is a male which also means he is the main provider of fish.  Soon after the juvenile took off and went back to the nest and the adult also took off to go fishing after scratching its head about the joys of parenthood. About 15 minutes later it returned clutching a fish and delivered it to the nest – where I think there were two juveniles and the female adult. I have never seen a juvenile (deliberately) land on a parent before. I suspect it was not confident enough to land on the branch. The adult bird was not surprised and seemed happy to facilitate the transfer. Is this common behaviour? It was an amazing moment in my birding experiences.  Pics taken near Jacobs Well, Queensland. 

Woko
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Wonderful observations, alcatraz. It's as tho' the adult acted as a stepping stone for the juvenile to reach the branch.

alcatraz
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Woko wrote:

Wonderful observations, alcatraz. It's as tho' the adult acted as a stepping stone for the juvenile to reach the branch.

Thanks Woko, Exactly right with the stepping stone analogy. Cheers

WhistlingDuck

Kids these days - walking all over their parents!

I would not want to get walked on - and particularly not by those talons.

Fascinating sequence of photos with brilliant image quality.

laza
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What incredible sequence, so glad you witnessed it mate and even better you could provide such stunning photos

Dont take life too seriously, it never ends well

alcatraz
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WhistlingDuck wrote:

Kids these days - walking all over their parents!

I would not want to get walked on - and particularly not by those talons.

Fascinating sequence of photos with brilliant image quality.

Thanks WD. Am very happy with my new camera and lucky to have been in the right place at the right time in this case. Cheers.

alcatraz
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laza wrote:

What incredible sequence, so glad you witnessed it mate and even better you could provide such stunning photos

Thanks mate. I have been keeping an eye on the nest since April when I saw the parents mate. Hoped something special would happen one day ... and was lucky enough to be there. As I mentioned to WD very happy with the new camera. Cheers.

irwinm16

These photos are just stunning. The clarity! Thanks for being in the right place at the right time!!

alcatraz
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irwinm16 wrote:

These photos are just stunning. The clarity! Thanks for being in the right place at the right time!!

Thanks irwinm16. Hope my luck continues! Cheers

Devster
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Stunning pics Alcatraz. Very interesting. I have never heard of that before

Greyson
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magnificent shots!

Linton
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Isnt it great when you see something like this in between many errr less inspiring outings gazing through the lens. Fabulous shots.

alcatraz
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Thanks Linton and Greyson. Yes, Linton it makes all the less-inspiring outings worthwhile when you capture something like this. Merry Christmas to all.

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