Mating in the bald eagle world is noisy, precarious and spectacular.
Hershey, the male, has to balance on Godiva’s curved back without using his talons –
he doesn’t want to cause damage to his mate.
His wings that give him hunting agility now provide Hershey with the brief moment he needs to mate.
photography
CategoryJordan Lake Eagle Nests reports, 4 photos, December 26, 2016
Lady Lake and Heritage nest
Another eagle monitor has graced us with two of his photos of this nest.
I am grateful for his input as this nest is hard for me to reach.
You can see Lady Lake brooding – she is sitting on egg(s).
In this photo you get a long view of the nest tree and the nest.
First Nest
Yay! Kate is brooding too. Chicks in about 30-35 days.
You can just see Kate’s head right at the brim of the nest. She is facing to the right.
If you look carefully you can see her eye between the large limb and a much smaller branch.
Hershey and Godiva H&G
I almost didn’t get this shot as I was packing up and putting my camera away when Hershey flew past.
Against the grey sky you can see that Hershey has nesting material tucked against his tail, trailing some pieces.
I am not sure yet that Godiva is brooding.
Christmas card, December 25, 2016
Winter Surprise!!! 10 photos
Yes, that is a hummingbird and oh, my, I took the photos today in Garner, NC. No, it is not a ruby-throated hummingbird nor is it where it shouldn’t be this time of the year.
Come to find out, the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD sometimes over winters here in NC. Even most astonishing: this bird may have migrated here from Alaska and will go back to Alaska in the spring. Oh, wow!
The little female hummer was safely caught today, measured, weighed in at 3.3 grams, checked for its fitness and banded. Then off it went to go back to feeding.
Keep an eye out for these migrants: if you have a stream or lake or pond nearby and have red or pink flowers blooming close by they may be attracted to your yard for a visit and feeding.
If you see one, please, put your hummingbird feeder back out: use a mix of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar and NOTHING else. Bring the feeder in at night to keep it from freezing and put it back out at first light. If you will let me know of any of these visiting your yard I will pass the information along to the bird bander so she can gather more data. More photos can be seen at my friend’s blog http://artfuldogger.blogspot.com and see the winter home where this hummer was seen and banded
her band is on her right leg – tiny, tiny id bracelet; see 4th photo!
H&G nest report 12/20/2016
This is Godiva (closest to us) and Hershey.
I got fooled earlier today, while looking at images on my camera’s LED.
I thought this couple was the new couple Heritage and Lady Lake.
It wasn’t until Godiva flew out first that I could see Hershey’s color.
My apologies to those viewing the Jordan Lake Wildlife cam Facebook page where I had mis-identified the eagles!
Jordan Lake eagle nests report, 2 photos
H&G nest
Godiva was in the nest, looking very eagle.
I didn’t see Hershey.
First Nest
I found Kate and Petruchio way, way down their cove.
That is Kate on the left and Petruchio on the right.
doc ellen's journey 