Mare Island (Ca) Osprey

For the last month or so, I have been observing and photographing the goings on of a group of Osprey on the old Mare Island shipyard in Vallejo California. The raptors have made a home for themselves in the cranes, gantries, and light poles along the waterfront of the shuttered base, and have been thriving. There are over 10 active nests within a one mile stretch, and probably more.

Just for an idea of the structures they are nesting in, one of the nests is at the top of this crane, and you can see the parents hanging out a bit lower on the crane.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nVZY​Uq Mare Island Osprey Hotel by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Here one slows down over the bay before diving in for a meal
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nSXt​1B
Slow up by lennycarl08, on Flickr

After eating the tasty bits for itself, one of the adults flies the remainder of a striped bass back to the nest for the young ones to eat
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nycK​j3
Osprey with an horderve by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Coming in to land on the top of a crane
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nRUp​BE
Osprey final approach by lennycarl08, on Flickr

One of the juveniles (you can tell by the orange eyes) testing out its flying ability.
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nX3N​DR
Learning to Fly by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Back to the nest
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nYxz​Ko
Osprey cleared for landing by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Lunch time
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/o3Y1​UX
Saturday Brunch by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Finally, the juveniles are getting pretty big, and it won't be long before the nests empty, and silence will return to the old base.
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nTEV​5M
The Ospreys by lennycarl08, on Flickr