eagle families of Jordan Lake

Category

By 3-year-old bald eagle minute

There is nothing quite like the arrogance of a 3-year-old bald eagle. This one is showing the definitive 3-year face stripe that is almost a mask. It’s beak still has some smudges of darkness as it goes towards the bright yellowing of an adult. Raptors often rest with 1 foot up like this one is doing. If it were cold that resting foot might have been tucked up against its tummy. Hope you enjoy this part of the cruise that Captain Doug and I took yesterday at Jordan Lake.

By Floating Past…

Jordan Lake. On yesterday’s cruise Captain Doug and I came upon this fledgling bald eagle, one of this year’s babies. We ever so gently floated past it. For its part of the interaction, the youngster seemed to decide that we just weren’t a probable food source and so we got ignored. Which was just fine with us.

fledgling bald eagle

By The Chase is On!

Jordan Lake. Watch lower left hand corner! A pair of 3-year-old bald eagles realized an osprey, sitting across the cove, had a fish. Of course the eaglets were certain that they should have that fish. The chase was on. First clip in video is at normal speed and is followed with a very slow speed so you can actually see the osprey! What a wild chase.

By One of the First Nest Triplets!

Jordan Lake. On our cruise last week Captain Doug and I were checking all of the bald eagle nests – we routinely do that all year around. We got over to the First Nest Cove and lo and behold there was one of the triplets. I believe this is the biggest of the three. Thought you might enjoy seeing this youngster out and about and don’t you just love that glare?

By Might Nigh Perfect…

Jordan Lake. I sometimes find that the transition between 3.5 into 4 years of age for the bald eagle presents a quite striking appearance. This eagle has not been injured … he is molting. Even though he might look a little ragged and tattered to us he is very sure that he is might nigh perfect.

By Molt!

Jordan Lake. Birds molt – lose old feathers and gain new ones. Bald eagles molt about every two years. Kate is definitely shedding feathers. 1) some of the old downy body feathers are floating below her 2) see the ragged trailing edge of her wing where flight feathers are being exchanged. I think she looks like it’s an annoying process.