neighdoctor

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By Jordan Lake Dam: Goose!

 

While at the Jordan Lake Dam this morning, a large white bird appeared in with a few gulls that were flying above the Haw River. I believe it to be a Snow Goose. However, it is possible that it is a Ross’s Goose. Both birds are rare in this part of NC (there are thousands of snow geese around Lake Mattamuskeet this time of the year). Both birds also readily hybridize with each other. I didn’t get quite good enough photos to clearly see the beak on this goose and that could have helped with the identification. Enjoy this winter-white visitor!

 

 

 

By Jordan Lake: What Caused the Gulls to Spook…
There must have been more than a thousand gulls arguing, fishing, screaming, swirling and chasing each other when suddenly everything went silent and there were gulls scattering to all points of the compass. I swear this 3-year-old bald eagle laughed at the panic he had caused. He didn’t stay long before he launched and caused a second panic.

By Jordan Lake: Momma Kate

Jordan Lake: First Nest bald eagle.

Momma Kate took time off from doing refurbishing work on her nest to go fishing. I really like the contrast of the early morning dark reflections with her brilliant head and tail making her almost a comet as with power and magnificence she caught her breakfast.

 

 

 

By Jordan Lake: Black Friday the Gull Way
Jordan Lake: Black Friday the Gull Way…
Gulls often try to steal each other’s fish and this can lead to some spectacular aerobatics. There are 2 sequences. Keep your eye on the fish … that is what each gull is doing too. In the 1st sequence the gull with the fish is an immature ring-billed gull. The huge dark brown gull that eventually shows up is an immature herring gull. In the second part, the gull with the fish is a ring-billed gull and the fish, ah, well, sometimes the fish gets a second chance.