Jordan Lake. No, that is not tangled up twine left by a careless person. Those yellow orange strands belong to the dodder plant. Dodders are parasitic plants. They start off with roots in the ground but soon lose those roots because along those thin strands are developed sucking roots. Those sucking roots actually penetrate their host plant and draw out the nutrients that the dodder needs. Sometimes dodder is a problem as in blueberry fields. Sometimes it is not. But it is a curiosity and I thought y’all might like to see another kind of wildflower … a parasitic plant that happens to be in the morning glory family. Very interesting isn’t it.

Jordan Lake. I am glad that Lapis Lazuli, my Chevy truck, sees so clearly our paths as we wander the Jordan Lake Neighborhood. She makes the paths easy and full of wonderment about what we will next see. Lapis is a steady sturdy companion!

Jordan Lake Dam. I was with some friends on top of the dam late last night. All of us hoping to see the aurora. After a couple of hours it was very apparent that we missed the best show on the night before. However, when I got home I found that I had incidentally photographed a meteor arching earthward. Even though we didn’t see the northern lights it was great being out with friends!

Jordan Lake Dam. This great blue heron deftly moved the fish he had speared, flipped it into the air and caught it again so that he could swallow it head first. Note the two long white-tipped black plumes on the heron’s head … these plumes elongate during breeding season … this adult is ready to find a mate.

I have been asked where I took the photo for my New Gallery Give Away metal print “Bald Eagle Fishing”. I was sitting at the Haw River, just below the Jordan Lake Dam, on the riprap. The bald eagle had made one attempt, missed, winged over and on his second pass caught the fish. I just love it when an eagle looks at his catch clutched in its talons.

BTW… don’t forget to check out my new site and enter to win a free 8”x12” metal print of this image while you’re there: https://ellentinsley.artstorefronts.com/new-website-giveaway