neighdoctor

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By doc ellen is going to be interviewed!
Dear Friends:
 
Oh, my.  I have just been invited to talk with Frank Stachio on The State of Things, on WUNC radio 91.5, public radio.  We will talking about my Bald Eagle eBook and my eagle observations at Jordan Lake.  I hope you have a chance to listen because it was the interest each of you gave to my work that inspired me to write a book about the lives of the Jordan Lake bald eagles.  The interview will be Thursday, July 13 at 12:40 PM.  I surely hope I don’t let the bald eagles or any of you my dear readers down! 
peace and grace,  doc ellen
 
Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM on 91.5 FM WUNC radio; it is also available as a podcast.

By Great Blue Heron Youngsters Argue
One section of the riprap at the Jordan Lake dam erupted this morning in gronks and growls and squeals.
Two immature great blue herons were trying to claim a section of shoreline for themselves.
Notice that as the flight continues, the birds’ necks get longer and longer.
Normal flight for great blue herons is with the neck folded back into their shoulders.
The heron with the most elongated neck is proving that he is better than the other.
One of the youngsters actually ends up having to fold his neck back up and drag his toes to maintain flight.
PS: the green and red smudges near the end are leaf fringes that I am shooting through.

By Streak!
The male osprey folded tightly.
Twisted as he plunged toward the water.
Determination in every last inch of him.
His chicks and mate needed food and so he fished.

By doc ellen’s 4th of July thoughts…
I made this photograph.
Without any concerns that my action was wrong and I could be jailed.
Without any fears that this statement would be seen as subversive.
Without having to apologize because I love Old Glory and the reasons for its existence.
 
Some in this beloved country of mine have yet to be able to fully exercise this way of living.
May the coming year bring peace, stability, loving kindness and an awareness: 
democracy is not simply a word to be bantered about
but is the living Truth of the United States of America.
All of us have the Right and Responsibility to practice the Gift of Democracy.
My prayer this Independence Day: 
may I share this democratic gift without any hesitations in my giving.
peace and grace, doc ellen

By Osprey Drop-Like-A-Rock
Some days I am spot on, in the right place…
other days I am in just the wrong place!
Thankfully the father osprey caught his fish for his chicks.
I only caught the spray from his entry.

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood 07/02/2017
This morning at the Jordan Lake dam was a rarity.
I often see several species…but today was extremely varied:
 
 I saw a bald eagle fledgling, the largest bird at the lake.
 
A ruby-throated hummingbird stopped by; the smallest bird at the lake.

 
A male osprey caught a fish for his nestlings.
 
 
Some immature little blue herons flew past.
The youngsters are not blue at all, 
but are white with black tipped wings, yellowish legs and dusky bills.
At first glance they look like great egrets!