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!
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.
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.
Jordan Lake. First Nest. One moment mom Kate was perched on a branch very very still … the next moment she launched!
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!
Jordan Lake. First Nest. This morning I managed to see the chick in the nest. It’s a little difficult to tell where the chick is so in the second photo I drew a circle around it. The chick is facing us. In the third photo you can see Dad Bart. He is preening hard! I did see Mom Kate but she went by so quick I didn’t get a photo of her.
doc ellen's journey 