PHOTO OF THE WEEK The Back Bay’s newest family

Staff photographer Kent Treptow’s photograph in Thursday’s paper of a male osprey returning to his nest on Shellmaker Island is a beautiful shot.

Kent spent many hours photographing ospreys in the Back Bay for his award-winning photo essay a few years ago, so when this assignment came up, Kent was the perfect photographer for the job.

This nest is also home to three chicks that are believed to be the first wild osprey births in Orange County.

? Mark Dustindpt.21-photo-week-CPhotoInfoUO1R5P7L20060521izfpo2ncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)A male osprey returns to his nest, where his mate watches over their three chicks on Shellmaker Island on Wednesday.