Heron Point Nest. Fledglings!

From Jordan Lake, both juveniles have now fledged and moved off the nest, settling about 100 feet away. But even in this shared step into independence, their choices are already beginning to differ.

One pushed a little farther—lifting off again and attempting to make it around the point—while the other remained perched, watching, steady and observant.

That space between “I can” and “I will” looks different for each of them.

These are the first fledges I’ve observed on Jordan Lake this breeding season—an exciting milestone, and one I never take for granted.

Nature’s door is always open, come right on in.
For those who’d like to bring a piece of it home: https://docellenimages.etsy.com

First Nest bald eagle chicks. All three of the TRIPLETS are still here!
I was so relieved to find them this morning while cruising with Captain Doug—alive and growing.
Look closely… they’ve become little stair steps now—big chick on the left, middle in the center, and the tiniest one tucked on the right. Look for their beaks.
That smallest one has a hard road in competing for food, and seeing all three together like this means everything.

Supervisor Afternoon Protocol:
Maintenance mode activated

All systems checked…
Toe beans cleaned…
Sunbeam fully calibrated.

Carry on.

—Grayced, Studio Supervisor

Storm Preparedness for Horses and Other Animals

In my experience responding after tornadoes and hurricanes, the horses that were loose in pasture usually had only minor injuries that could be treated. Regretfully, the horses trapped in collapsed barns were the ones I could not save.

Please review these veterinary preparedness resources:

guidance for horse owners:
https://www.aqha.com/widget/-/horse-owner-natural-disaster-preparedness

AVMA disaster preparedness for animals (horses, pets, and livestock):
https://www.avma.org/blog/free-guide-helps-pet-owners-be-ready-emergencies

First Nest has TRIPLETS! My first clear look at the 3 chicks. Mom Kate was feeding a chick when Captain Doug and I arrived – you can see the chick just below her throat area – waiting for the food. The other 2 chicks are dark heads above the nest brim (look for their beaks), one of them almost under Kate’s tail, the other one to the right of the main tree trunk. From our distance on the lake, this was the best view we could safely get.

First Nest: TWO bald eagle chicks!! They are about 2 weeks old.  You can easily see one chick, fluffy very white fuzz ball with two very dark eyes right at the rim of the nest, looking towards us.  The second chick is harder to see … look to the left of the chick at the rim and then find a white fuzzy tennis ball under a long horizontal thin branch.  Did you find them both?