osprey

On the Move

/ Rebecca / 20 Comments

While reviewing my photography from a recent trip to the lake, I noticed a consistent theme that captured my interest. It was the various movements of animals portrayed in the images. I decided to share my observations and then provide my own personal takeaway regarding their behaviors.

When threatened, the Black and Yellow Garden Spider has an interesting way of protecting itself through intentional and vigorous bouncing of its web. This rapid motion makes it appear larger and startles and confuses its predators, including curious humans. The shaking also serves to entangle any prey caught in the web.

My take-away: “Yes, there really is a special kind of crazy in this world.”

From a distance, when I first saw this delicate web suspended on a swaying reed, my initial impression was that numerous gnats had become trapped in the silk. However, I soon realized that they were freely moving about, prompting me to take a closer look. Instead of gnats, I discovered a group of spiderlings navigating their mother’s web. Being too immature to hunt for their own food, spiderlings sustain themselves by feeding on pollen that sticks to the threads of the web. The web serves as both a nursery and a source of nourishment for the young.

My take-away: “Provide for them while they are young, and then gently nudge them out into the great big world.”

It was delightful to see these Southern Painted Turtles basking on a log with their back legs extended behind them and wiggling back and forth. This stretched position, referred to as “splooting”, allows them to flatten their bodies and enhance sun exposure while they enjoy the warmth. The rhythmic movement of their legs promotes blood circulation and is believed to help remove parasites and bits of aquatic plants that cling to their skin and shell.

My take-away: “The back legs, apparently, can also be used to nudge others out of their personal space.”

As I scanned the lovely landscape, a wren unexpectedly came darting in and perched on a nearby branch. It belted out a loud, raspy tune. Then, just as quickly as it had arrived, it was off to explore new places.

My take-away is summarized by the following quote: “Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” ~J. K. Rowlings

Finally, the Osprey pair, mentioned in a previous post, also appear to be on the move. They have selected a new tree located a short distance from their former nest, which recently collapsed, and are presently engaged in the gradual construction of a new home. The old nest can be seen on the right side in the first photo below. The new nest is on the far left.

My take-away: “And so, begins a new chapter in this book of life.”

It was interesting to witness the lively activity of these creatures as they went about their busy lives. It was a reminder that nature is always in motion. It is a continuously evolving tapestry in which work, vitality and change are integral parts.

“It’s only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage that we move on to better things.”  ~Theodore Roosevelt

“Doing nothing accomplishes nothing, gains nothing, changes nothing, and wins nothing. You have to make a move.”  ~Richelle E. Goodrich

“God is constantly on the move.  I cannot stay where I am and follow God at the same time; responding requires movement.” ~Margaret Feinberg

Resilience

/ Rebecca / 23 Comments

Back in March, I shared that the Ospreys’ nest had temporarily become the domain of a pair of eagles, taking advantage of the Ospreys’ migration absence.

The Eagles Have Landed in the Osprey’s Nest

But no worries. By April, the Ospreys had returned, and were once again sitting on their royal throne high above the lake. They immediately began making repairs and adding insulating materials, working to get the nest comfortably in order.

Throughout May and June, the Osprey pair devoted themselves faithfully to their nesting duties. The female tended the nest, while the male took on the vital roles of hunting and keeping watch from nearby branches, ever vigilant against threats.

Regrettably, nature’s unpredictability demonstrated its strength this month, as a thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall inflicted considerable damage to the nest. As a result, the nest partially collapsed, forcing the Ospreys to abandon it.

Despite this setback, the sight of Ospreys flying in the vicinity signals hope. Only time will reveal if these resilient birds will reconstruct their prized nest at the same location or opt for a different nearby place for their next chapter.

“It is strange how new and unexpected conditions bring out unguessed ability to meet them.”  ~Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Eagles Have Landed in the Ospreys’ Nest

/ Rebecca / 14 Comments

We enjoy watching a pair of ospreys that have built their nest in a cypress tree out on the lake, where they have spent their summers for the past several years.

By late autumn, the ospreys have migrated and the nest sits vacant, waiting for their return in the spring.

So, it was a surprise recently when we looked out and saw two black and white birds sitting snuggly in the nest.  It was a pair of bald eagles making themselves very much at home in the osprey’s nest.  One of the eagles had been hunting and had just returned with a small fish for its lunch.

“Houses are really quite odd things. They have almost no universally defining qualities: they can be of practically any shape, incorporate virtually any material, be of almost any size. Yet wherever we go in the world we recognize domesticity the moment we see it.” ~Bill Bryson

Nest site

/ Rebecca / 16 Comments

A couple of ospreys in a nest built on top of a platform in a national wildlife area close to the Tennessee River

“Great things take time to build.  Great accomplishments come over time, through hard work, diligence, and effort.  Nothing is instantaneous, at least nothing of value. ”  ~Matt Loper