Day 64...Osprey Chick has Fledged!

[Eric Diller]

Young Osprey finally fledged yesterday morning (day 64) at 7:59 a.m. We could tell last night that this morning would be the day. After following this nest for so many years i have their behavior pretty down packed.
First shot is the initial leap out of the nest. As you can see he jumped in the opposite direction. went back in the late afternoon, chick was back in the nest but shortly gave me another aerial show. Here are a few:

 

[Don Ferguson Jr.]

Eric, great shots and cool the way you followed the bird from its nest as a baby to full flight.
Don

 

[Don Cohen]

Great shots and a greater series, Eric.

You've probably already thought of, or are planning for it, but this whole experience would make a great photo-essay of some sort, mini-book, magazine articles, etc. I imagine this has been done before, but yours should be up there with the best of them, even if they were.

 

[Eric Diller]

Actually I am going to put together a little Documentary book with a friend of mine. Between the 2 of us we have quite a collection from this nest.