great blue heron

Tag

By Great Blue Heron Youngsters Argue
One section of the riprap at the Jordan Lake dam erupted this morning in gronks and growls and squeals.
Two immature great blue herons were trying to claim a section of shoreline for themselves.
Notice that as the flight continues, the birds’ necks get longer and longer.
Normal flight for great blue herons is with the neck folded back into their shoulders.
The heron with the most elongated neck is proving that he is better than the other.
One of the youngsters actually ends up having to fold his neck back up and drag his toes to maintain flight.
PS: the green and red smudges near the end are leaf fringes that I am shooting through.

By doc ellen’s 1st two Jordan Lake Neighborhood eBooks

1st book is Bald Eagles: Jordan Lake Neighborhood.  My exploration of the lives of the Bald Eagles of Jordan Lake.  Photos and text are drawn from my field notes and photography at the lake as I followed bald eagles from fledglings to adults. 72 original photos (not published before) accompanied by explanations of the behavior and wonder of our National Symbol, the Bald Eagle. 144 pages   Go here to preview or purchase.

2nd book is Stumpy: Great Blue Heron of Jordan Lake.  True story of the healing journey shared by Stumpy, a great blue heron of Jordan Lake, and me. Both Stumpy and I found ways to cope with injuries and continue to explore life. Contains 58 original photographs.  116 pages.  Go here to preview or purchase.

peace and grace, doc ellen

Available for Kindle Fire, Apple iPad, Android devices, Mac or PC computers.

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood, 6 photos, 03/23/2017
A proper bald eagle scowl.  
 
Usually I am the watcher.  Today I found myself being the observed species by this osprey.
 
The tiny fluffs of feathers on each side of this double-crested cormorant’s head are his “crests”.
Only the mature double-crested cormorant has the crests.  
There are none on the immature bird at the lower right.
This is a first for me and my camera – a great horned owl.
Truly a mouthful…for this great blue heron.

By Uh, oh!
There was a fish floating on the water.
The great blue heron made a dash for it.
The bald eagle made a dash too.
The great blue heron decided retreat was the better objective.
Neither bird was happy and neither got the fish.
But doc sure enjoyed the fracas!

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood for March 2, 2017, 7 photos

The ospreys have returned from South America – welcome home.

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One year old bald eagle looking fierce in the morning light.

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A very cold eastern bluebird, who like me, was wondering where the warm weather went.

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Great blue heron stalking through the shoreline bushes.

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Belted kingfisher surveying the waters for his next fish.

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The small pied-billed grebe is named after the way the black ring bisects his beak.

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The morning light illuminates this Bonaparte’s gull.

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