After fledging, young Osprey begin to hunt on their own. However, they often continue to return to the nest to receive food from their parents for two to eight weeks after fledging. Ospreys are sexually mature at approximately 3 years old, but may not breed until age 5 in areas where nest sites are scarce.
Juvenile ospreys resemble adults, but have a somewhat speckled appearance due to buff-colored tips on their dark brown upper-wing and back coverts and a less well-defined necklace. Juveniles also have an orange-red iris, rather than the yellow iris that is typical of adults. Juvenile plumage is replaced by adult plumage by 18 months of age.
Canon 50D, EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM