Jordan Lake Dam, Tuesday, September 22, 2020. It is the first day of autumn! And it’s cool like autumn should be. It is foggy and misty like fall often is. There were several great blue herons fishing at the edge of the Haw River on the riprap this morning. They argued about who should be fishing where on the shoreline. Take care, be safe. Enjoy the beginning of a new season.
photography
CategoryOh! Ouch! But, Good News!
Jordan Lake: On June 5, 2020, Captain Doug and I, while out on Jordan Lake, came across a great blue heron. He had somehow peeled his face from the corner of his beak to just in front of his eye. We both wondered if he would be able to heal. Captain Doug kept an eye out for the heron as the weeks went by, but didn’t see him. Then on September 16, 15 weeks later, we found the great blue heron. Eye still bright. Skin scarred around the eye and pulling it into an oval, but the bird looked just fine. Does have a very distinct look. Whew!!!
Doc Ellen’s Natural Minute 09/20/2020
Jordan Lake Dam and Haw River. Sunday, September 20, 2020. The lake level is at 217.80 feet. I really enjoyed the very crisp air this morning. Dry and windy. I have brought you a minute of the sunrise to enjoy. Take care, be safe. Be well.
Feathered Kinetic Energy
Jordan Lake, Haw River: Feathered Kinetic Energy smoothly surges from the toes through to the sharp beak as this great blue heron launches and displays that energy that is possessed by a body because of its motion. The physics of kinetic energy explained by a single bird.
Neat Hummingbird Fact!
Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River. Hold On!!! Neat fact coming up!!! Guess what: Hummingbirds do NOT suck up nectar. Nope. They lap/lick up the nectar. I have simplified the process explanation: The hummingbird flicks his long tongue out and into the nectar. The tongue flattens and grooves down its length become immersed in the fluid. The tongue then rolls it sides up and the rolling action puts pressure on the nectar and down it goes into the bird’s tummy. In effect, the tongue is an elastic pump. Ok. So, I have given you 2 photos from this morning at the lake so you can see the very long thin tongue on this ruby-throated hummingbird. The black and white photo helps delineate the tongue. Link to take you to a wonderful page with great explanations https://www.livescience.com/51904-hummingbird-tongue-pump.html
Doc Ellen’s Evening Note 09/14/2020
As the great blue heron slips into the mists of the night and lightly dips his wing tip in the water of the Haw River, may you too slip gently into the evening and the peace of sleep.
doc ellen's journey 