H&G Nest
 
Hershey and Godiva were shuttling back and forth past me.
I am not sure what they were hauling – fish or otherwise…
I could hear their fledglings calling each time as the parents came into sight.
 
Hershey on his way to the nest with food tucked up against his tail.
 
Hershey with his second batch of food.
 
Godiva on her way to what ever the food source was…
I didn’t manage to get a shot of her with some of the meals – she went past twice.
 
LL&H nest
 
What a joy this morning to be able to see Heritage!  
Lady Lake wasn’t with him but hopefully she wasn’t far away.
 
I know that either Heritage and/or Lady Lake have visited their nest.  
I hope they repair it for next breeding season.
Heritage going past.

thank you to all our military, thank you
for those alive, vibrant present
for those living, yet again in our memories
without your sacrifices 
I would not be able to walk freely
stand silently as eagles wing by
wander quiet coves as beavers swim past
sit in meadows filled with warblers’ songs
lean against oaks holding nesting squirrels
freely inhale stars riding night’s winds
greet warming sun each morn 
all in freedom because you gifted me 
by your love of country and your service

This morning at Jordan Lake was bright, blue, crisp, windy and the water level high.
All of which meant the eagles were flying in almost over my head.


Hershey came by …

and went on around the corner.

Then came a beautiful 4 year-old eagle…

belly skimming through the trees and on past me.

I have had several delightful questions sent to me about my video.
I thought I would share my answers here with photos from the critical points:
1. The little male osprey caught a very, very large fish.
He has it tucked against his chest as he muscles the fish up.
2. It took several tries for the osprey to lift the fish from the water.
3. The osprey got some altitude and was making the bend toward his nest when he saw the eagle heading for him.
4. Bald eagles make a habit of stealing fish from ospreys … so the osprey tried to up his speed but…
5. Out of the cove to the osprey’s right (regretfully I didn’t get the osprey in the frame)
came a second bald eagle and the osprey dropped his large fish (you can see the splash).
Two eagles are not good odds for an osprey to face.
6. One of the bald eagles made a dash for the fish.
7. The fish was so large that the eagle was having trouble getting out of the water (don’t worry, eagles swim well).
8. While the first bald eagle was trying to get out of the water,
the second bald eagle made an attempt to harass the first eagle into abandoning the fish.
9. Bless his heart, the little osprey tried to get back his fish –
he’s in the upper left of the photo and was easily missed in the video.
The osprey gave up the chase and the fish.
The first eagle finally cleared the water without the fish.
10. Out of the back cove, Hershey dashed in (sorry about the focus) and grabbed the fish. Whew.
11. Hersey makes the mad dash for home.
And, THANK YOU for all your wonderful responses to my efforts with the Jordan Lake Neighborhood series!!