The first blooming mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) I have encountered in decades of photographing Jordan Lake. Although undeniably beautiful, this non-native invasive tree is displacing native vegetation in many parts of the Southeast. It serves as a reminder that not every beautiful thing belongs where we find it.

Many of you know me through my photography. Some know me from my years as a veterinarian. Some simply know me as the woman who wanders around Jordan Lake talking about birds, clouds, droughts, wildflowers, and whatever else catches her curiosity.

Over the past few weeks I’ve quietly begun a new project called Open the Door.

Every Sunday I share a short audio story — sometimes about nature, sometimes about growing up, sometimes about the people and experiences that have shaped my life. The stories are free to listen to and are accompanied by a written transcript.

This week’s story is “Deserts Have Droughts Too.”

If you’d like to join me, you can visit:

docellen.substack.com

I’d be delighted to have you come along. After all, Nature’s door is open — come right on in.

You have probably heard the saying, “Be careful whose toes you step on.”

This Great Blue Heron seems completely unconcerned about such advice as it stands on the “toes” formed by the roots of what remains of an old tree.

The ongoing drought at Jordan Lake has exposed many stumps that once lay hidden beneath the water. They can be hazards for boaters and swimmers, but the birds seem perfectly content to take advantage of the situation. For a heron, an exposed stump is simply a new perch with a waterfront view.

These bald eagle chicks will be the last to fledge out this breeding season at Jordan Lake. In the 1st photo, you can see the two chicks – the one to the right is foraging for leftovers. in 2nd photo you can definitely see one of the babies is wapping its wings. In 3rd photo you can see that it has done what is called branching. It is gaining muscle and courage by flapping and jumping up to branches above the nest and using the nest as a safety net.

The Studio Supervisor may be 15 years old, but age has done very little to diminish his agility.

Let the Photographer sit down at the computer with a plate of food and produce so much as a single clink of fork against china, and Grayced appears at once.

After all, every meal consumed within the studio falls under his jurisdiction, and appropriate tribute must be rendered.

First Nest: All three Jordan Lake bald eagle triplets are still returning to the nest when a parent arrives with food.
The eaglet on the rim of the nest won this particular race and is eating, while the other two fledglings are perched off to the left on a branch looking rather displeased about the outcome.
At this stage, once young bald eagles are fledged, every food delivery becomes a scramble to see who reaches the nest first.
(And yes — all three eaglets really are in this photograph.)