Suddenly Kate flung herself out of the nest. I couldn’t see a reason for her sudden leap.
I watched as she struggled against the gusting winds. Her head and body at an abnormal flight angle.
She regained the nest by jumping a limb that had fallen into the nest.
I think the falling limb had startled her badly enough for her to have momentarily left her chick(s).
Yes, I said chick(s) for it/they have hatched!
Everybody seems to be ok, whew!
Pair of northern pintail ducks
Taking flight from one of the impoundments at Lake Mattamuskeet.
The lake is part of the National Wildlife Refuge system.
We are blessed by this 50,180 acre refuge and its diverse wildlife.
Fish for breakfast for Kate in 4 quick steps:
1) Kate sees Petruchio catching a fish and starts hollering for her food.
2) Petruchio flies into the nest from behind Kate,
flies over her back and drops the fish.
3) He pauses for a split second at the rim of the nest.
4) He is off again for more food.
time elapsed: 17 seconds
yesterday my friend and I were bundled top to bottom
wondering out loud why the heck we were at the water’s edge
wind dropping the temperature way below comfortable
when this eagle appeared
oblivious to the cold, only thought: fish
I hope you get a chance this Saturday to come and meet me at Jordan Lake
information about the opening of the Eagle Education display is at
http://www.ncparks.gov/jordan-lake-state-recreation-area/events-and-programs/meet-the-photograper
this is where the flight through the trees,
posted yesterday, found its target
the eagle caught his fish and I got the moment in the second photo
for such a large bird, the bald eagle can suddenly appear –
flight determined and through the upper branches of the trees
doc ellen's journey 