there is a SLIDE show of the photographed sequence at http://youtu.be/fkGr5Vf1Hx4
I heard Kate’s angry scream as I stepped from my truck and I grabbed my camera and ran for the bluff.
Kate was being bounced by the gusty wind as if she were a wee chickadee and she was angry.
I didn’t stop to put the camera on the tripod – I just photographed Kate’s struggle.
Kate finally made it to the nest only to be met by Wynd on the left and Ice on the right.
Both of whom end up under her and Kate drops the fish and bails out to the left.

WALK8589 Apr 15 2015  09-36-29  New HopeKate and Gusts

When I saw this great blue heron throw himself into the river my heart almost stopped –
not in fear for his life but because I knew that fishing technique.
Last October 1, I wrote of two great blue herons who helped me cope with my disability as they dealt with theirs.
I had not seen either heron for many months at that point and assumed they had gone Home.
Then this morning I saw Ball Foot make his plunge – his way to fish because of a foot that was balled-up due to fishing line.
I whooped in triumph with him as he pulled this fish from the Haw – oh, my.

WALK8800 Apr 15 2015  11-14-43  Haw RiverBall Foot

WALK7923 Apr 12 2015  08-22-16  Haw RiverVulture beer 2I was sitting across the river when I took this photo this morning. The black vulture had flown in, poked at the beer can, but then began working on the fish skeleton. As a veterinarian I don’t believe that animals, wild or domestic should have alcohol. As a citizen I was upset that people had littered the riverbank with trash and cans –
not to mention that alcohol is forbidden anywhere on Jordan Lake, or federal property on the Haw River.

WALK7163 Apr 10 2015  10-48-45  New HopeKate and chicks

Kate is bringing in a small fish
both chicks want it – that is Ice to the far left of the nest
now look just in front of Kate’s right talon – that is Wynd’s gaping beak
she got the fish and has learned in the past couple of days how to feed herself
this means Ice has to wait and see if she leaves any scraps
the yellow tinge to the photo is due to a wave of pine pollen