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.
The turkey vulture and I spent almost an hour being mesmerized by the turbulence of the Haw River as it tossed waves up against the interior of the tailrace. Interesting, isn’t it, that birds (and most other animals) can be spell-bound by the world they inhabit! I enjoyed the mutual time in contemplation.
It was a few minutes after sunrise. The Haw River was thundering out from underneath the Jordan Lake dam. Across from me and down the riprap there were a total of 52 great egrets. This time of the year I’m used to seeing maybe two dozen at a time… but a whole 52 card deck of them? There were a few great blue herons in the mix. By 30 minutes after sunrise all but three of the great egrets had left the riprap.
Jordan Lake. This damselfly is well named: American rubyspot. It is a new addition to my insect life list. The damselflies are tiny, delicate and just as ferocious hunters as their bigger cousins the dragonflies.
This American crow was quite delighted as he perched upon the pipe and presented his breakfast goodie for my examination. The presentation did not last long however before he flew up and into the trees where the rest of the crow clan could not steal it from him.
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.
doc ellen's journey 