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By Doc Ellen’s Natural Minute 01/13/2021

Jordan Lake, Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Lake levels at 215.88ft. You can certainly see that the lake is below its normal pool level of 216.00ft in the little video this morning when you look across and you can see so much of the actual shore below the trees. I brought to you this morning pretty much a whole minute of just nature. Take care, be safe. Stay warm.

By First Nest bald eagle update 01/11/2021

Jordan Lake: Time is of the essence when it is cold and the parent eagles need to trade places on the eggs.  Eggs left uncovered in the cold winter air will die if left uncovered for more than 2 minutes.  Mom Kate was on the egg(s) when I arrived. 2 hours later she started calling and Dad Petruchio arrived.  Kate jumped up on the branch next to Petruchio (she is closest to the trunk). They glanced down at their eggs.  Dad Petruchio jumped down into the nest and settled onto the eggs and Mom Kate left for some flight time.  The whole exchange took 38 seconds.  This is a critical time for the eggs and then for chicks up to 2 weeks of age because any disturbance by humans can cause the parents to leave the eggs or chicks exposed too long and the disturbance could quickly become fatal to the new family. 

By Jordan Lake Quarterly Bald Eagle Count 01/10/2021

Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River. We held our quarterly Jordan Lake bald eagle count this morning, from 7:00 to 8:30AM. There were eagle counters at various points about the lake. I was at the dam. I am still compiling my numbers and observations. I did want to share with all of you this scene from this morning during the count. Sometimes the amount of fog/mist and the angle of the sun as it rises, bathes the world briefly in blue. It is magical when it happens. There are 4 bald eagles in the photo.

By Sprung!

Jordan Lake, Haw River: The double-crested cormorants had been half-dozing in the somewhat warmer afternoon sunshine.  Then, I swear, someone had to have said: Three…Two…One…Launch and the cormorants went sprung!

By Nares Feathers!

Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River.  Captain Doug and I have been seeing bald eagles of all ages from fledgling through adults with feathers growing from their nares/nostrils. Usually we see a nares feather on one side of the beak or a feather on the other side of the beak. This morning this two-year-old flew past me with a pair of bright white nares feathers. Perfectly crossed across the top of his beak. It’s got to be a genetic trait here at the lake to see it in several bald eagles of all ages.  Sure is neat looking bling!

By First Nest has Egg(s)

Jordan Lake: Good News for the New Year! First Nest has egg(s). Yes! The eggs were laid at some point after December 26.

1) Mom Kate flew over me, heading out to the lake after she and Dad Petruchio had switched places on the eggs – yep, both the female and male bald eagle help with the incubation.

2) Dad Petruchio landing just above the nest to make sure Momma Kate is ok (you can’t see her).

3) Mom Kate in the nest – her head is just above the brim and she is looking out the right side of the nest.  Look for her yellow beak.

4) Both parents at the nest.  Mom Kate is standing up in the nest and her head is to the right – she is rolling eggs.  Dad Petruchio is above the nest, on the left of the main trunk, look for his white head. I apologize for the photos at the nest, but, the weather did not want to co-operate; fog everywhere.