Jordan Lake State Park

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By Bald Eagle Pestered by an Osprey; Jordan Lake Neighborhood
The tables got turned this morning.
Usually it is the bald eagle harassing the osprey.
Not this time!
The osprey, carrying a fish, dive bombed the bald eagle.
Sassed the big bird!
I don’t know why the 4 year-old bald eagle didn’t leap up 
and snatch the osprey out of the air or at least take its fish……
Interesting morning at the dam.

By Hershey and the Eastern Kingbird are at it again……
Today the eastern kingbird had the audacity to up the ante.
He spied Hershey again crossing the cove.
The bald eagle understood what the smaller bird was up to.
So Hershey rolled up on his side to deny the kingbird a landing place.
Yes, landing space on the eagle’s back.
When that didn’t work Hershey rolled back flat and reached for a higher gear.
No dice.  The kingbird had the groove, the draft from the bigger bird.
In the little bird flew and got his piece of defiance with a sharp peck!

By size doesn’t matter!
When you have babies in the nest, 
your size and that of the potential predator doesn’t matter.
The parent eastern kingbird felt Hershey flew too close to the nest.
The small bird escorted the bald eagle all the way across the cove.
Hershey simply ignored the much smaller kingbird.
 
Size reference: the king bird is about the size of a robin.

By JL Eagle Nest reports: 2 nests, 5 photos 06/01/2017
H&G Nest
 
Hershey and Godiva were shuttling back and forth past me.
I am not sure what they were hauling – fish or otherwise…
I could hear their fledglings calling each time as the parents came into sight.
 
Hershey on his way to the nest with food tucked up against his tail.
 
Hershey with his second batch of food.
 
Godiva on her way to what ever the food source was…
I didn’t manage to get a shot of her with some of the meals – she went past twice.
 
LL&H nest
 
What a joy this morning to be able to see Heritage!  
Lady Lake wasn’t with him but hopefully she wasn’t far away.
 
I know that either Heritage and/or Lady Lake have visited their nest.  
I hope they repair it for next breeding season.
Heritage going past.

By Memorial Day Remembrance 2017
thank you to all our military, thank you
for those alive, vibrant present
for those living, yet again in our memories
without your sacrifices 
I would not be able to walk freely
stand silently as eagles wing by
wander quiet coves as beavers swim past
sit in meadows filled with warblers’ songs
lean against oaks holding nesting squirrels
freely inhale stars riding night’s winds
greet warming sun each morn 
all in freedom because you gifted me 
by your love of country and your service