While photographing near the osprey nest at Lee Metcalf NWR, one of the adult osprey flew out of the nest for a few minutes, returning with a stick for the nest:
As the osprey approached the nest, the young nestling raised his head to see what was going on:
As the adult landed, you can clearly see the stick in one of his talons. And “Junior” checking things out … bringing me a fish?
I always welcome visiting the Lee Metcalf NWR, particularly for photographing the always-active osprey. In Missouri, I only occasionally see osprey, and they are just migrating through (although reports of some beginning to nest within the state have been noted).