We continue to wait and watch

Yesterday, I left Black Jack at home for the first time since my holiday began.  In fact, we have barely spent a minute apart for the past three weeks.  The forecast called for rain, and I didn't want her to have a bad experience on the bike.  As it turned out, the rain didn't materialize, but perhaps, it was time for her to become accustomed once more to some "alone" time.  I must say, I really missed her presence.  

There were other firsts yesterday.  I read the camera manual!  Okay, I read the couple of pages necessary to figure out how to take a video, but that did feel like progress.  Not only that, I learned how to post that video on my blog.  

I remember when it was just about impossible to follow a bird in the sky with my camera.  Then, I discovered the view finder, as opposed to the LCD screen, and things got easier.  It still took hours of practice.  Skills that young people seem to acquire so easily are quite a different story for at least this one senior, but eventually, what had appeared to be an unreachable goal was discovered to be possible after all.  Now, a whole new set of skills have to be developed, in order to follow with the LCD screen, as that is the only way to take videos.  The good thing is that each small success helps the confidence to grow, much, I suppose, as it does for Rose.  

My apologies for these short videos.  As pleased as I am to be able to show them, I also have to admit, they are very, very shaky.  In this first one, you can have a glimpse of Rose, practicing hard for the big day.

Here, Rose looks around the perimeter of the nest.  I imagine her thoughts go something like, "Hm..  it's a long way down there, but that seems to be where the food comes from.  Mom and Dad can get food whenever they want.  I sure do feel hungry right now.  Hm..

This last one shows Dad with Rose.  He has just flown in.  I wasn't able to capture the fly-in, but did manage to follow him for the first second or two when he left the nest.  Rose always sounds desperate when the parents arrive with food.  She calls non-stop, until they either stuff the fish into her mouth, or until they leave the nest, and she has no choice but to eat on her own.

I timed my trip to North Vancouver so that I could give Black Jack her lunch at noon, and be back in lots of time for her supper.  That worked out well for the low tide, as it was to be around 1:40, but as it turned out, I learned from Ship Rock and the other photographers present that I had missed the most exciting action.  I didn't spend as much time with the ospreys as I would have liked, nor did I take as many pictures as usual, and I left the area, feeling somehow a bit disappointed.  I did however, enjoy Ship Rock's little geology lesson, and it was also fun to watch this seagull together.  He had talked before about seagulls eating starfish, and here was the living example, right in front of our eyes.  Poor, poor starfish, and I still imagine how rough that must have felt going down the seagull's throat.  You will probably have to click on the picture to see the starfish, mostly hidden in seaweed.

Here, you can just see the last little bit disappearing.  

Later that evening, Bill and I went with Black Jack to eat at the Jericho Sailing Club.  There is a picnic table outside that we like, as Black Jack can sit with us.  It was a beautiful evening, but windy, and a tiny bit cool.  Bill, ever conscious of Black Jack's comfort, tucked her into his jacket.  I love this picture of the two of them.  With my mood a bit pensive, it was comforting to share the day with Bill.  Thanks, Bill.  You are truly a wonderful listener.  

When we walked, a bit later, Bill noticed this outgrowth (?) at the side of a tree.  He immediately saw a clear image.  I wonder if you see the same one.
A bit further along the beach, a movie crew was just closing up shop for the night.  The movie will be called Marma Duke, and will star at least one well-known actor, William H. Macy, along with quite a cast of canine performers.  We enjoyed talking to one of the security guards, a friendly fellow.  Although we were not allowed to pass by the entrance point to the shooting area, I was still able to capture something of a fairly dramatic sunset in the background.
We then walked through Black Jack's favorite rabbit haunt, and just as we left that area, the city skyline appeared under the spell of the last seconds of light.  Somehow, that time with Bill and Black Jack brought the day to a serene conclusion, and I was grateful, as I so often am, to have them in my life. 
I am up very early this morning.  As soon as light breaks, I hope to head back to North Vancouver with Black Jack for more osprey watching.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for reading:)