Jordan Lake, Monday, August 2, 2021. Lake level was at 216.09 ft. I was talking with one of the Rangers this morning, when this three-year-old bald eagle showed up. She glanced over at us. Didn’t see anything about us that seemed to worry her and so she turned her head away and kept right on flying. She is carrying what appears to be a very small catfish for her breakfast.
Jordan Lake: Osprey don’t often fish in the reedy/grassy shallow areas of the lake. Osprey will take just about any species of fish but seem to prefer the longer-bodied fish (bass, catfish) over the more round-bodied fish such as this bluegill. That may be a factor of what fish species are found here in Jordan Lake or it may be that it is easier for the Osprey to actually physically grab the longer bodied fish. Note that the Osprey has his foot wrapped totally around the bluegill. By the way this is a dad Osprey who took this bluegill back to his three fledglings who met him at the nest and each demanded the fish for its own meal. His daughter won the fish.
Jordan Lake: as we have all sensed and endured of late, the heat and humidity is just about unbearable. But something other than heat was on this bald eagle’s mind. He was watching something way out of our human sight. Then he launched, gathered the hot humid air under his wings and left we humans behind.
Jordan Lake. A study this morning in the process of molting in birds. To molt means the bird is changing out damaged and old feathers for a brand new set. All birds do this – in several different patterns. It just so happens that both the bald eagle (1st photo) and the Broad-winged hawk (2nd photo) do what is known as a sequential molt. They molt out the same section of flight feathers on each wing at the same time. Note that on both birds on each wing there are sets of feathers that are sticking out on the trailing edge with a matching set on the other wing. Not all birds do a sequential molt, it really depends upon the species. In this case it also helps me to know that the bald eagle is two-years-old. The Broad-winged hawk is an adult. The molt patterns do make them both look rather raggedy, doesn’t it! Oh and did you see the fish the eagle is carrying?
My blessings and thank you to each and every Mom on this Mother’s Day. May each of you have a moment this day to celebrate all mothers of today and times past. Peace and Grace, Doc Ellen
If you haven’t yet, please take a moment and sign up for my webinar on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, and get the rest of the story and so much more! To register, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3366948010366033166. There is more information in the post just before this one. I hope you will join me and the bald eagles!
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