An Osprey carries branch to its nest at Carden Alvar

osprey, carden alvar, city of kawartha lakes, ontario, pic 8

osprey with tree branch, carden alvar, ontario, pic 2

On a mid-June visit to Carden Alvar in Ontario, Bob and I opted to tour the area in the reverse direction from our first visit when we crossed Canal Lake at dusk.  First thing in the morning provided better light for photography, and there was no lack of activity near the Osprey nests.  We were hoping that the Osprey did not drop its load as they flew over!

lake near carden alvar

Early morning calm had Canal Lake as flat as a pancake.

osprey in flight at carden alvar, ontario

As is usual, Osprey could be seen soaring in the air looking to score fish for breakfast,  standing vigil over their nests that number near half a dozen,

osprey sitting on a hydro pole at carden alvar, ontario

or simply surveying their territory from on high.

osprey with tree branch, carden alvar, ontario, pic 1

I have to admit that Bob and I did not plan on sticking around long to photograph the Osprey hoping instead to see some early-morning activity by warblers, bobolinks or meadowlarks, but when this bird appeared overhead with a substantial branch dangling from its talons, we just had to capture that action.

osprey with tree branch, carden alvar, ontario, pic 3

Although several pairs of Osprey had already established aeries, apparently it was early enough in the season for this and another pair to just be starting a nest.

osprey lands with tree limb on a hydro pole at carden alvar, ontario

On a neighbouring telephone pole, a second bird arrived with a good-sized twig and added it to the base of another structure.

osprey, carden alvar, city of kawartha lakes, ontario, pic 5

A couple of weeks prior, Bob and I had noted other pairs already sitting on their nests and defending their perches.

osprey building nest at carden alvar, ontario

Perhaps these late-nesting Osprey had to suffice with the telephone poles given that all the man-made platforms were already spoken for.  There were a good many weeks remaining in the summer, and these late nesters had a lot of work to do, but with construction materials the likes of which we had already seen being flown in, I imagine their nests were built in no time.

Related:

Eastern Bluebirds at Carden Alvar in Ontario

An American Woodcock at the Carden Alvar in Ontario

An Eastern Wolf lurking In The Shadows

Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean

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