Your Photos: By Kelli Ballenger

A new osprey nest near Arapaho Bay has given visitors another opportunity to watch the birds up close.

The nest is located about 8 miles down County Road 6, which leads into Arapaho Bay. As drivers cross the bridge at the end of the bay, the nest can be seen to the left from the road, according to bird watcher Kelli Ballenger, who sent a beautiful set of images from the nest to Sky-Hi News.

Ballenger noted that the two ospreys began working on the nest in early May, or at least that’s when she first noticed them. A young bird is occasionally seen on the nest, though Ballenger believes it may be from an upstream nest she has watched for the past 28 years.

Watching the ospreys bring sticks to build the nest has been especially enjoyable for Ballenger. She observed that one bird brings in a stick and leaves it, while the other spends considerable time getting it perfectly situated.

Ballenger also enjoys watching the female’s gestures and reactions when the male approaches with food. The birds call back and forth, making it possible to tell when the male is nearing the nest.

“They are amazing to watch and get to know,” Ballenger said. “I look forward to many years of bird-watching from our cabin. What a treat.”

The nest also offered an unexpected wildlife encounter recently when a golden eagle attempted to take over the osprey nest. Ballenger did not have a camera in hand but described the sighting as amazing.

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