2019

Fledgling

Many different species of birds are fledging at Jordan Lake right now.

I quietly watched this great blue heron this morning.

This new flier is about 8 weeks old and has probably been flying for only a few days.

He was exploring the lake shoreline when he discovered that I was watching him.

Full of curiosity he ambled closer for a look.

Jordan Lake Dam Neighborhood, 4 photos 11-18-2018

Time for a Ramble in the Jordan Lake Neighborhood

The Cooper’s hawk is small, swift and often takes medium-sized birds while in flight.

Cedar waxwings are winter visitors here.

They love cedar berries and you can see the red “wax” at the inside lower edge of this one’s wing.

The first time I saw a Bonaparte gull I thought it was some species of tern.

These are dancers just above the water as they hunt for fish.

Immature great blue herons often look like they are feathered in a wash made from grey and pink pearls.

Ranger Cove, Jordan Lake Neighborhood

The glitter of a ruby-throated hummingbird against the soft glow my lens made of the background foliage.

A quizzical northern cardinal made me smile.

Bright eyes, startling gold against the iridescent deep purple-black of a common grackle.

The snowy egret’s translucence allows you to see the bones and joints of its wing: of its shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers.

Note too that his feet have yellow socks!

Perched probably 60 feet up at the top of a tree, it is a little startling to see an immature great blue heron surveying the cove.

Actually great blue herons of all ages often spend a great deal of time way up in tall trees.