I made another visit to Long Reef, again with the principal aim of photographing the local Ospreys. I had a reasonable day. There were plenty of Ospreys, but they were not that active compared to other visits.
When I arrived at the lookout, I spotted two Ospreys flying close by. Here is one –
And the second flew past, with a stick.
It circled around and then flew back.
I wondered why it had flown out and back with the stick rather than taking it straight to a nest being built. Perhaps this is come sort of courtship display – showing the other osprey that it is capable of building a good nest.
I then descended to the lower level. A few other bird photographers were there, also waiting for some osprey action. We had to wait a fair time.
Pied Cormorant
Great Cormorant
It was high tide, so I could not venture out on the rock platform. But at one point some birds flew to a rock, not that far out. There are two Ruddy Turnstones and five Grey-tailed Tattlers –
Passing Sooty Oystercatchers –
Pied Cormorant
Then an Osprey landed on the exposed roots nearby –
Two more Ospreys appeared –
They were flying over the lookout area, so I calmed back up.
One had landed.
Back down, Sooty Oystercatcher –
Osprey
Osprey and Silver Gull –
It was time to head for home. At the lookout, two powered paragliders flew past and did some tricks.
