photography

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By Branching!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. “Oh, one of the chicks branched,” exclaimed Captain Doug as we came into the cove and could see the nest. The chick that is upper right in the photo is the one who has branched. Bald eagle chicks practice branching as the last step before they actually fledge. They hop, flutter, fly up to a branch above the nest. That way the chick gets some practice in using its muscles & wings while it still has the nest below as a safety net. This is the last step before the chick will fly away from the nest for the first time. Branch, chicks, branch!

By Cicada!

According to iNaturalist this is a Riley’s 13 year cicada; second photo is its discarded husk. It is my first cicada of any species for this year. There were more than a dozen in about a 12 foot area underneath an oak tree. Let the noise begin I reckon!

By A Haunting Call

Jordan Lake. Captain Doug and I were out in his boat when we heard the call of this common loon. Adult loons are almost always in pairs. This time of the year they have usually left Jordan Lake and headed north for their breeding grounds. This loon was by itself and it was calling for its mate. The seeking call this loon is using is very haunting. We can only hope it found its mate and then both headed northward.

By Surprised

Jordan Lake. First Nest. SURPRISED! Indeed Captain Doug and I were very surprised at First Nest this morning because as the nest came into sight Captain Doug and then I could see that there were TWO chicks – yes TWO chicks in the nest. We had decided a couple of weeks back that there was only one chick in the nest … opps! I don’t believe I have ever gotten into the ninth week of chicks in a nest before I discovered that there were actually two in the nest. Eagle puzzles challenge me all the time.

By Kate!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. One moment mom Kate was perched on a branch very very still … the next moment she launched!

By Growing!

Jordan Lake. First Nest. The chick is certainly growing rapidly! The bald eagle is one of the fastest maturing birds known. It looks like this fellow is now about 8 to 9 weeks old. He is looking all about for his parents. The chick appears to be very well fed but when you’re a youngster … you know how it goes … you want food now!