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By Purple Martin Dragonfly Handoff
The male purple martin flashed past me and snagged a dragonfly.
Crimped the insect’s wing and spit the dragonfly out.
The male purple martin did a roll back and smiled at me.
From the lower left corner another purple martin appeared.
Either a female or an immature martin.
The male swept past me as I watched the other bird home in on the dragonfly.
Yes, it caught it, but sadly was too deep in the shadows for my camera to get a focused photo.
I think the male may have deliberately handed off the dragonfly.

By JL Neighborhood updates. 5 photos July 17, 2017

I want to say Thank You for all the wonderful responses to my 2 new eBooks and to the interview with Frank Stachio on The State of Things. During the eagle lecture at the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area on Saturday there were all kinds of good questions and the sharing of each other’s interactions with eagles.  All of you helped make last week full of blessings and gratitude!

Lady Lake cruised past me, elegant and sure of herself.  
I didn’t see Heritage her mate but I am sure he was close by.


This bright American goldfinch was way at the top of a tree. Usually I see them in the tall grasses.


American crows, caught in the right light, are iridescent. This one had a bite of fish for his fledgling.


The male ospreys are working hard to feed their chicks.


Nests always need repair. Ospreys tend to like branches all twisted and with lots of forks.

By Bald Eagle Lectures this summer

JL Bald Eagle Lecture dates:
I will be giving a bald eagle lecture at the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area on two different dates this summer. The lectures are free and fun for all ages. Info at https://www.ncparks.gov/jordan-lake-sta…/events-and-programs
Dates: July 15 & August 12, Saturdays at 2:00 PM
Location: Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Visitor Center at 280 State Park Road, Apex NC 27523

4-year-old bald eagle photo was made yesterday at the dam during the quarterly bald eagle count.

By doc ellen is going to be interviewed!
Dear Friends:
 
Oh, my.  I have just been invited to talk with Frank Stachio on The State of Things, on WUNC radio 91.5, public radio.  We will talking about my Bald Eagle eBook and my eagle observations at Jordan Lake.  I hope you have a chance to listen because it was the interest each of you gave to my work that inspired me to write a book about the lives of the Jordan Lake bald eagles.  The interview will be Thursday, July 13 at 12:40 PM.  I surely hope I don’t let the bald eagles or any of you my dear readers down! 
peace and grace,  doc ellen
 
Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM on 91.5 FM WUNC radio; it is also available as a podcast.

By Great Blue Heron Youngsters Argue
One section of the riprap at the Jordan Lake dam erupted this morning in gronks and growls and squeals.
Two immature great blue herons were trying to claim a section of shoreline for themselves.
Notice that as the flight continues, the birds’ necks get longer and longer.
Normal flight for great blue herons is with the neck folded back into their shoulders.
The heron with the most elongated neck is proving that he is better than the other.
One of the youngsters actually ends up having to fold his neck back up and drag his toes to maintain flight.
PS: the green and red smudges near the end are leaf fringes that I am shooting through.

By Streak!
The male osprey folded tightly.
Twisted as he plunged toward the water.
Determination in every last inch of him.
His chicks and mate needed food and so he fished.