Michigan Osprey making babies on a beautiful spring morning, along the Detroit River, MI.
The male Osprey returns to the nest after catching a small fish from the Detroit River
It is that time of year when Mother Nature works miracles. After migrating North, back to Michigan, this pair of Osprey renew old bonds and make some more babies. I have been photographing Osprey for a decade now and I have not seen a pair that are so fond of each other. I guess they are ‘in love’ if raptors can ‘love’… This pair appeared to enjoy sitting together, flying together [real close] and they even shared a fish, which is not something that usually happens without a fight, until the chicks hatch, when the male will need to feed the whole family with fish, for a few weeks.
This pair of Osprey looked to really enjoy being together & flew side by side, very close. The Male is behind.
The Osprey did not spend long ‘in’ their nest. They sat on the perch alongside it and in the trees nearby. When the fish was caught, they took turns eating on top of a utility pole about 50 yards from the nest, maybe to keep the nest clean for the eggs which should be laid very soon.
On two occasions there were predatory ‘air-space’ intruders, near their nest. Another Osprey and a Bald Eagle flew within 100 yards and were quickly escorted away, by the protective male. He will need to keep doing this for at least the next 6 weeks or so…
The female Osprey roosted in a tree close to the nest before returning to sit with her partner.
In the 75 minutes I was in the area, these Osprey mated twice. It looks pretty scary with those huge talons on the females back. The male carefully closes his grip before landing extremely carefully and effectively makes a ‘fist’ so as not to hurt the female.
Male landing on the female, moments before mating
Michigan Osprey making babies on a beautiful spring morning.