52 Snapshots of Life: Travel

It's so funny that this week's word prompt for the 52 Snapshots Photo Challenge is "travel" because St. Patrick's Day is always associated with travel for me. We don't take an annual trip at this time of year, but some world-class fliers are at their Mid-Atlantic arrival terminals right on schedule on March 16-17. 

Most of these travelers will be met by their spouses. Some of the younger ones might be flying in for the wedding; others have been married for years. Regardless, they'll have romance on their minds - they haven't seen each other since last autumn! 

None have brought any luggage for their stay, but plan on some housekeeping chores once they get home. They'll be ready for some of our world-famous fresh fish for dinner too.

Some are flying in from South America, and some just had a short hop from Florida.  You can see some of their winter hangouts below.

Photo Credit: Rob Bierregaard, Google Earth

Who are these travelers? 
A. Navy SEALS
B. Jungle explorers
C. National Geographic photographers
D. Super Bowl winners

If you chose D, you're right - well, sort of. These right-on-time vagabonds are ospreys, one of our most beautiful and entertaining raptors, who go by the nickname Seahawks (*groan #1*). We usually see them when we're kayaking. 

Their return on St. Patrick's Day to the same nest to meet up with their mates is incredible, isn't it?  Hmm...I wonder if they fish from those green-dyed rivers when they get home! Osprey are monogamous, and to make their synchronized arrival even more amazing, the pair spend the winter in completely different places. 

Photo Credit: Christina Spiegeland

Public Domain

 Maybe you are wondering what happens if an osprey's mate doesn't keep their rendezvous. That usually means their mate has died.  In that case they will search for a new mate among available candidates. Once together they will build a nest or repair the experienced osprey's old nest and start working on making babies.

The Nature Conservancy biologists have equipped a Gulf Coast osprey nest with a webcam. You can find Osprey Nest Cam 2015 live by clicking here. Senior science writer Matt Miller gives a review:

"Previous seasons have been filled with drama, including hurricane-force winds, a “white-out” of the camera by osprey poop and all the daily adventures that go into raising a new brood of chicks. Who knows what this year will bring?"

 In 2014 the nest that was chosen reared three fledgelings. So instead of reality TV, this summer we can watch something REALLY wild (*groan #2).

Thanks to The Lazy Pit Bull for hosting the 52 Snapshots challenge-