Jordan Lake. First Nest. I listened and watched as the smallest of the triplets yelled to the whole world – left and right – that he was very very hungry. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Mom Kate approaching carrying a very large fish. As she banked towards the nest I glanced back up to where the fledgling had been and it was gone. I quickly looked back at the nest to see a dust up of feathers and beaks and a lot of squalling. Somebody got the fish, I’m just not sure who.

Jordan Lake.Somebody rang the dinner bell. Around the end of the cove came probably 200 double-crested cormorants. They made an absolute blur as they passed by me, turned back and settled in to fishing. It is a very rhythmic feeding sequence with the occasional cork popping – oh, I mean an occasional cormorant popping up with a fish.

double-crested cormorants feeding

Jordan Lake. Concentrating hard, eyes, feet and wings in synchrony, this 2-year-old bald eagle is determined to stick her landing and balance on the small diameter of the snag.

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Two of the bald eagle triplets were chasing each other in the air. One attempted a strike. I did my best to keep up with them but at this point I think they’re much better at flight (thank goodness) than I am at taking video of flight. Enjoy the two of them!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Bald eagles are aggressive from the moment they are hatched. Upper bird is the smallest of the triplets and lower bird is the biggest. Eagles start to practice aggression in the air very soon after fledging. The smallest triplet has been flying for less than 4 days! It started this encounter…

two of the First Nest Triplets