bald eagles of Jordan Lake

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By Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 3 photos, 1-24-2019
Jordan Lake is always full of surprises and contrasts.
It is home to both the largest and smallest raptors in the US.
Both of the birds below were very proud of their catches this afternoon.
 
American Bald Eagle
 
length: 34-43 inches   weight: 168 oz   wingspan 72-96 inches
 
_ark4457 jl dam 24-01-19 18-12-08 2 eagle fish frame
American Kestrel (also the smallest falcon in the US)
 
length: 9-12 inches    weight: 3.9 oz   wingspan 20-24 inches
 
_ark4124 ranger cove 24-01-19 14-03-31 1 kestrel lizard_ark4127 ranger cove 24-01-19 14-03-46 1 kestrel lizard

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest reports, 2 nests, 3 photos 01-22-2019
First Nest
 
I visited First Nest today and found Petruchio preening on a limb near the nest.
Having finished getting all his feathers clean and straight, he gave me a hello flight and soared closely over my head.
 
 
 
 
H&G Nest
 
I thought I would show you the nest … from where I stand to watch the home of Hershey and Godiva!
Can you find the nest?
 
 
 
 
And, then show you a crop of the same photo and you can see Godiva perched in front of her nest.  She hasn’t laid her eggs yet.
 
 
 
 
 

By Jordan Lake Dam, Golden Hour Bald Eagle
There were four of us friends, waiting as the sun eased down the sky, approaching the golden hour.
It was windy, cold and my long day had started out in the wee hours chasing the lunar eclipse.
We watched the sky looking for the long wings and great body of a bald eagle.
As the air became gilded with the setting sun, an eagle appeared.
She landed and we watched as she looked for a fish.
When she finally launched it was to head down river into the shadows.
We sighed and headed home in the remnants of the beautiful light.

By Jordan Lake Bald Eagle Nest Report: First Nest, 3 photos
First Nest
 
I found both mom Kate and dad Petruchio in the nest this morning.
That is dad Petruchio looking out.  You can see Kate to the left and toward the middle of the nest.
 
 
Petruchio went across the cove and around the bend, out of sight.
He re-appeared with a bunch of soft grasses for the nest.
Mom Kate had made a nest cup within the main nest before laying her egg(s).
The cup holds the egg(s) securely and keeps them from rolling into possible danger.
The egg cup is made of soft materials and the lining gets packed down.
The parents need to replenish the lining at least daily.
 
 
Petruchio delivering his bunch of nest materials.