Jordan Lake. When an osprey dives into the water to catch a fish it also picks up a lot of water. Water is heavy at 8lbs/gallon. Ospreys weigh from 2-4.5lbs. To shed the excess weight the osprey does a shake: from the tip of its beak through its body and off its tail… just like a wet dog does. There are 3 video shake sequences and I hope you enjoy them all.
flight
TagDare the Sun
Jordan Lake. This morning was considerably cooler than it has been for more than a week. Apparently it was cool enough for this bald eagle to dare to cross above the glowing heat of the solar disk as it rose into the mists above the lake at dawn. Leave it to a bald eagle to be that arrogant.
Molt!
Jordan Lake. Birds molt – lose old feathers and gain new ones. Bald eagles molt about every two years. Kate is definitely shedding feathers. 1) some of the old downy body feathers are floating below her 2) see the ragged trailing edge of her wing where flight feathers are being exchanged. I think she looks like it’s an annoying process.
Osprey Shake
Jordan Lake Dam. The female osprey exploded through the leading edge of her own water cloud that she had made as she shook off the Haw River after her dive. The fish she caught is almost a ghost.
Concentration
Jordan Lake. Concentrating hard, eyes, feet and wings in synchrony, this 2-year-old bald eagle is determined to stick her landing and balance on the small diameter of the snag.
Testing Flight Abilities
Jordan Lake. First Nest. Two of the bald eagle triplets were chasing each other in the air. One attempted a strike. I did my best to keep up with them but at this point I think they’re much better at flight (thank goodness) than I am at taking video of flight. Enjoy the two of them!
doc ellen's journey 