WALK7923 Apr 12 2015  08-22-16  Haw RiverVulture beer 2I was sitting across the river when I took this photo this morning. The black vulture had flown in, poked at the beer can, but then began working on the fish skeleton. As a veterinarian I don’t believe that animals, wild or domestic should have alcohol. As a citizen I was upset that people had littered the riverbank with trash and cans –
not to mention that alcohol is forbidden anywhere on Jordan Lake, or federal property on the Haw River.

WALK7163 Apr 10 2015  10-48-45  New HopeKate and chicks

Kate is bringing in a small fish
both chicks want it – that is Ice to the far left of the nest
now look just in front of Kate’s right talon – that is Wynd’s gaping beak
she got the fish and has learned in the past couple of days how to feed herself
this means Ice has to wait and see if she leaves any scraps
the yellow tinge to the photo is due to a wave of pine pollen

WALK6863 Apr 07 2015  11-27-42  Fuquay Varina green heron fishing

I found the green heron stalking a fish
like his bigger cousin, the great blue heron, this smaller heron was lightening fast
he has a minnow in his bill, just above the splash of water droplets

WALK6801 Apr 07 2015  11-24-31  Fuquay Varina  green heron

besides being brilliantly attired, the small green heron is one of a very few tool-using birds
it drops sticks, leaves, insects, worms and even found bread crumbs on the water’s surface to lure fish into reach
the green heron is only with us for the spring through late summer – here to breed and raise young