Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River: Remember the ruckus yesterday when the 3-year-old bald eagle knocked the 2-year-old eagle off the preferred branch? The 3-year-old got to spend 27 minutes on the favored branch. Then an adult bald eagle decided the branch was now its sole perch. Another tumble in the chilly wind!
Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River: the weather was changing this morning at the riprap, getting grayer, cloudier and wind was starting to pickup. All factors that stir eagles into fishing and fighting. Eagles get a charge out of knocking each other off of a branch. The two-year-old on the left was happily minding his own business when a 3-year-old decided it wanted that particular perch. Lots of screaming and one tumbling two-year-old but no one was harmed. Well, maybe the two-year-old’s arrogance factor was paled a little bit … for only a moment, I am sure!
Jordan Lake: Big Pine bald eagle nest. My first glimpse this breeding season of BALD EAGLE CHICKS! Big Pine nest is one of our new nests, established this year. Mom’s tail is to the left in the nest and you can see a sliver of her white head feathers against the big upright limb at the center of the nest rim. The TWO chicks are to the right of the limb that is hiding part of mom. One chick is right against the upright limb and one chick is much easier to see with its fuzzy light grey head just above the small slanted limb. The chicks are probably 2-3 weeks old. Yay! Chicks!!
First Nest: Dad Petruchio came dashing in from across the lake. He rocked hard as he landed and looked down into the nest. Didn’t take Mom Kate but a moment to jump up off the chicks (I haven’t seen them yet) and she headed out for some time on her own. Dad jumped down into the nest to take over the brooding duty as I watched Mom head out.
Jordan Lake, Saturday, February 6, 2021. I am finally back out at the lake. Oh it was a good feeling being where my heart sings and soul abides! Hope you enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the lake with me this morning. Take care, be safe. Stay well!
I have been under the weather for a while, but am on the mend and very anxious to get back out to Jordan Lake and the Bald Eagle Families and the Eagle Gathering at the Jordan Lake Dam. I was recently interviewed by Jenn Galler who is with the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League. We talked about the Bald Eagles of Jordan Lake. If you have a chance, you can listen to “Doc Ellen and the Jordan Lake Eagles” by Jenn Galler at https://anchor.fm/bredl/episodes/3–Conservation-of-Bald-Eagles-Through-Photojournalism-epf0uh/a-a4eqisj
Take Care, Be Safe and oh, Stay Well, Doc Ellen
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