Wild Kingdom Adventures, Hackensack Chapter

[dockothebay]

We were watching an osprey nest (on top of the power poles) between Hackensack and Longville, and saw this little confrontation - the osprey in the nest started making lots of racket when another came to the nest - she actually used her wings to prevent him from landing. About 5 minutes later another came into the nest and landed, but appeared to keep his wings extended to shield the nest until the other finally left the area. Then #3 left the nest, sat in a tree nearby and watched for a longggggg time.

On the way home I got my first images of a grouse!! Certainly not the quality of Jay or Ken or Steve or many others on this forum.. but they are mine

[ShawnZ]

Cool story, would have been great to watch but enjoy living vicariously. Loved the grouse image, the defocused parts of the image really add a nice effect in this case and what a great pose!

[Hwood]

I know how you feel about the grouse. The ones around here have a deal with the wax wings and they both stay our of my reach.

[JayinMN]

Those talons and the size of that nest are amazing. Great story and shots.

[Deitz Dittrich]

LOVE the grouse shot!!! fantastic capture!

[dockothebay]

Thanks everyone - it was a fun morning. I looked for that grouse again and again and didn't find him. We also listened to a Northern Saw-whet Owl several nights...for what seemed like hours...but never found him or her. We had a pileated woodpecker and the owl call back to their recorded calls on my iPod, which was pretty darn cool! The woodpecker flew into the tree next to the cabin and looked all over for the source of the call. Of course the camera was in the cabin at the time. But Mr PillieHeaded (as the grandkids say) is around alot!!!

[finnbay]

Hey, Jackie!

Well done! Great story and photos on the osprey. I like how the light plays with the grouse. Interesting shot. Very nice on the pileated as well. Good color and head position!

[Dbl]

That must have been a pretty cool encounter. I like that puffed out grouse.

[eyeguy 54]

Nice! Gotta love woody woodpecker. :>)

[Moonie]

LOVE the grouse shot!!! fantastic capture!

+1! All those pics are great! Pretty neat that you got a grouse with a good copper color to it too!

[Birdsong]

I like your little grouse! Others are good too.