Jordan Lake. First Nest. Two of the three triplets have branched. When a bald eagle chick branches it jumps / hops / half flies to a branch above the nest. They use the nest as a safety net below them. This is the last practicing step before they fly! Look for the 2 sets of yellow feet on the branch above and to the left of the chick in the nest.
Jordan Lake. First Nest Victory Duet. Bard is worried because Kate has gone to chase an intruder out of the cove and he also has a fish under his foot he needs to get to his chicks. When a bald eagle couple vanquishes an intruder they often sing a Victory Duet. Bard and Kate sing when Kate returns to the branch. These pairs often throw their heads back, pointing beak straight up and tell the heavens about the victory. Watch Kate literally shake with her song.
Jordan Lake. First Nest. Dad Bard is hunting on the ground. I don’t know what he found. Most likely a small bird or small mammal. He took it to the nest. Watch the reaction of the three chicks as they see Dad coming in. Everybody piles in on Dad’s feet. He manages to stay up right. At the end you can tell by which way dad and two of the chicks are looking to the left who got whatever the food was. What a melee.
Jordan Lake. First Nest. Mom Kate is headed for the nest. She is carrying what appears to be the remains of a carp. She and Bard are almost on a continuous loop: drop off a fish and go catch another fish and get back to the nest … the chicks are growing fast and demanding more fish!
Jordan Lake. First Nest. With 3 rapidly growing chicks bouncing around in the nest, the parents have to bring in sticks and repair the nest. Dad Bard went dashing out and grabbed the top of a small pine tree and headed back to the nest. That’s him piling into the nest from the left-hand side while mom Kate is on the right hand side with fish to feed the chicks. Crowded!
Jordan Lake. First Nest. The lake level is at 219.75 ft which is 3.75 ft above normal. I am still not able to see First Nest. However, I did watch Mom Kate take a fish in past the tree line – headed for the nest. Dad Bard came by on a thermal. Every day I hope the lake is down enough so I can get in and see the chicks. I bet all of you are hoping that too!
doc ellen's journey 