26/08/2014
Contest!!!!!
3 Osprey… Wait!... 5 Osprey on Tall Ship Providence!
First person to give us three great facts… wait… 5 great facts about Osprey and share this photo and title gets a Tall Ship Providence T-Shirt and Postcard!
Story by on board caretaker of The Providence -
Looking at this photo makes me hear Bob Marley’s Song, “Three Little Birds,” in my head. It also makes me go through a slew of famous trio’s and makes me want to decide which trio name is the best for the Providence Osprey Trio… the Three Stooges, Peter, Paul and Mary… the Three Musketeers? I snap a few shots and someone hails on the VHF… “Osprey to Aloha. Osprey to Aloha. Osprey. Aloha.” I giggle of course as I love the synchronicity of the moment. One circles the Providence many times. It is undoubtedly a beautiful sight to see this bird in flight over the water let alone from this beautiful ship. Surreal, really. The Osprey makes a b-line towards the stern as though the gaff were a runway strip to line up. Flying into the wind, with a final lift aiming up to the course yard the predator rams into the other Osprey as if to say… “This is my spot, get out of my spot, I want it.” The pushy Osprey does not win this round and again tries… a few more circles around the ship. This goes on a few times before a compromise of sorts. Finally they sit side by side, flap their wings a bit and then … a take over... and the other dips down as if pushed off, giving in, nearly free falling forward and starboard off to circle the ship only to find a higher final resting place on the top starboard yard with out time wasted.
The Osprey visit The Providence often, most frequently... one solo hunter... sometimes two. Last night as we sailed back with our friends on Schooner Tree of Life... I saw three from their ship to ours. What a surprise to see 3 last night and tonight... 5! Usually they like their morning hunting hours on Providence but lately… they have been taking watch at night as they spread out to the end of each yard. I speak to them when they are here - they are getting use to me, they flinch less as I move about the ship and do my work yet they watch me, twisting their head, looking... listening. I make eye contact. I think I will try to get closer soon. I once worked with birds of prey in a zoo educational show. These fierce creatures use to once perch on my arm and my lap. It is fantastic to see these birds in the wild and to feel connected to them through the ship.
After watching them a bit tonight, listening to the variety of their calls and snapping a few shots before I ran out of light… I popped into the Captain’s Quarters to eat my delicious take out I picked up in my dinghy at Marina Café and Pub on Goat Island. I came back out to speak to them again as they are being quite loud and I am eager to get a closer look and what do I see… not 3 BUT 5!!! 5 Osprey! An abundance of Osprey! I ran for my camera but it’s too dark for the shot. Do I hear a collaboration between Norman Bird Sanctuary and Tall Ship Providence… a bird watching day perhaps?
I’ll keep you all posted as I enjoy having them… but it is not without a price. Despite their beauty… my little friends are quite the house guests… leaving fish guts and other waist on board. So you other vessels of Newport Harbor don’t be too jealous of these visitors. I’m sure they like Providence because she is Tall, Dark and ... a Handsome Vessel at that but they leave a messy trail! Don’t you worry every other boat in the harbor… you spectate… I will clean up after the Osprey… I got this! ;) I mean with all factors considered... it looks as though we are being showered with luck in more ways than one. Yes... there is a joke in their of course. If Osprey’s mean good look by sailor folk lore, and being pooped on by a bird means good luck in many cultures and well… combine all of those with the ship historically known as “The Lucky Sloop,” well then we must have the best luck ever! :) Ever!
I hope everyone enjoys the photo and story and I wish you the best luck ever! Best Osprey and Tall Ship Providence Spectating hours… 6:30 am -9am and 7pm – night fall. Drive your dinghy around and get a close peak… or take a look from goat island.
Again… first person to post 5 awesome facts about Osprey’s and shares the post get’s a free Providence Shirt and Post Card. You have two opportunities to do this… One on the Tall Ship Providence page and One on The Figurehead – Nichole Raab’s Page! There is a catch… they can not be the same facts on either page! ;)
P.s. I do have a name for one already... I call it "Cry Baby," as it makes the most panicky noise but still stays put.
8/25/14 2000 hours
Cheers,
Nichole Raab – Tall Ship Providence Mate, Director, Aerial Stunt Performer, Educator
