Awesome osprey

With so much water around, it's not surprising there are also lots of osprey - those fish hunting hawks. There are two platforms where nests have been built and eggs laid, sort of in my back yard. The parent osprey from the time of mating, wheel in the sky over my head and whistle warnings that danger is nearby.

The osprey in the photo is a fledgling and though I didn't get  video, spent a lot of time in the past weeks standing at the edge of its nest beating its wings as if about to take off.

Three or four days ago, it actually left the nest. It has a different cry from the adults, and the two birds now wheel above my head and those of my dogs... when we walk into their territory. Can't get to the other nest for photos, it's in the middle of a swamp. There are two youngsters there though - too far to photograph, but I can see them with field glasses.

There is another nest platform with a huge nest on a county road within 15-20 minutes of here with two young, and still another on a sideroad leading to Rice Lake and one of the many cottage fishing resorts around it.

Quite thrilling to have seen all this. And so neat that platforms have been constructed for their nests... means that many - if they care to look up - can see a beautiful bird up close.

Nature is truly amazing. We are blessed that so many people enjoy birds and welcome them to their environment. In my opinion anyway. Enjoy those around you today - look up - you never know what you might see!