Jordan Lake. “Ah ha! That catfish is mine, all mine”, said the 4-year-old bald eagle. Carefully she surveyed the area and then quickly launched, carrying her prize with her.

Jordan Lake. After the bald eagle quarterly count this morning, a pair of bald eagles came by. That is mom eagle that you first see on the left. She takes a little dip and then a stroll. Dad bald eagle shows up and proceeds to have a snack of fish. This is my first real attempt at using the new camera for video … I can foresee lots of needed practice … but the still photography remains my priority.

Jordan Lake. Hard Luck osprey nest. Sometimes ospreys get their entire front – from beak to their feet pretty cruddy with the leftovers of fish. The best way the ospreys have found to scrub is to skip themselves – like a stone that you might skip across a pond. The motion of skipping and rubbing against the water acts like a very stiff brush and helps loosen up the debris. I get to see this action every couple of years at the lake. I see it more in the summer and I have to wonder if the heat and humidity in the air makes the fish leftovers stick tighter. This is the longest sequence I’ve ever been able to photograph and I am very happy to be sharing it with you. Enjoy!

osprey skipping

Jordan Lake. Like our emerging nation in 1776, which wrapped itself in the Stars of Freedom, this fledgling Bald Eagle of 2022 is also wrapped in the stars of freedom. May we all cooperate to share our fragile democracy equally … with loving kindness toward all. Have a blessed and safe Fourth of July.

Star-Spangled Bald Eagle Fledgling