Wildlife Photographer Captures Rome Osprey Mating Ritual

Not many of us would break an ankle on Friday and by Monday be back in the field taking pictures. But then again, none of us are William Straite, our Wildlife photographer. Look at these amazing photos of the Osprey mating ritual.

William's love of capturing wildlife exceeded a new boundary over the last few days. On Friday while in the field with a friend scouting Eagle's nests, he caught his foot on a tree root and tumbled down a steep incline, breaking his ankle. And I don't mean, sprained or twisted ankle and limping out of the woods. I mean down on the ground awaiting rescue personnel.

William Straite

He was forced to stay home until an orthopedics visit on Monday, where he would learn the official diagnosis, broken ankle.

It's a stable, non-dislocated fracture and he says ice and elevation for swelling, puts me in this huge Frankenstein Boot, and says weight baring as tolerated....wait did he say I can take photos?

Just two hours after the doctor's visit, William was headed back into the woods. He may not be able to hike into the secluded depths of an eagle's nests, but it's mating season for Osprey, and they build homes anywhere that's convenient.

Osprey are not like Eagles when it comes to nests, Eagles want seclusion. Osprey will build a nest right next to the road and not care about traffic.

Osprey tend to be migratory and most don't stay in New York during the winter. They return in the spring trying to use the same nest year after year. The male is the first to arrive and spends several days establishing his territory. Like eagles, osprey seem to mate for life, although it may have more to do with the nest and territory than it does with a particular mate.

Once the pair reunite, the male begins a three-week courtship as he brings food to the female, the more food the female receives, the more receptive she is to breeding. Once the bond is made, numerous acts of fertilization occur. In between acts, the pair will continue reinforcing the nest with more sticks and the male continues to hunt and provide food.

The Female lays a "clutch" of two to four eggs and the pair share duties. The female Osprey only leaves the nest for food, while while she eats the male will "nest'' the eggs. The eggs will hatch within 34-40 days of being laid.