There was enough coolness in the air while Captain Doug and I were cruising the lake that it stirred up the bald eagles. The youngster that is at the top of the first photo is a two year old and it is chasing one of this year’s fledgling. In the second photo that is the same two year old to the left and the same fledgling to the right. They were having a good time chasing each other.
A four-year-old bald eagle, to me, often has very interesting plumage patterns. They are in the process of finally attaining the totally white tail and head and a body cloaked in deepest dark brown feathers that at 5-years of age marks their maturity. Captain Doug and I found this youngster landing as if she owned the whole cove. I’m sure that’s what she thought.
Bald eagles like to hide while keeping an eye on their territory. Captain Doug and I floated past LadyLake this week while we were out checking on the health of each bald eagle nest.
Captain Doug and I were out today cruising the lake and checking on nests. The day was delightfully dry, just cool enough, and with some moderate wind. We saw several bald eagles. This bald eagle gave us a good look at her catfish as she launched.
Jordan Lake this morning at 224.16ft was still rising. The Haw River as it was exiting the dam was very quiet. Lake and reforming downstream river were very unlike the water systems to the west of us. As I watched this bald eagle appear out of the distortion caused by the dense fog on the river, I thought of the horrendous impact Hurricane Helene has made from Florida to our NC mountains. I am reminded that Nature is as elegant as the bald eagle and as fierce as a rampaging river.
Up the Haw River yesterday flew a very determined immature bald eagle. I could see as it banked and reversed course at the tail race of the Jordan Lake Dam that the youngster was one of this year’s fledglings. Fly young one fly, learn how to fish successfully and survive.
doc ellen's journey 