Jordan Lake. One of the Fledgling Bald Eagles – I don’t know which one – got way too close to one of the osprey nests. Dad osprey was quite upset about that and decided to make sure the young eagle left the area. The inexperience of the Fledgling Eagle sure showed up as it ended up tumbling through the air. Both birds came out of the episode just fine.
Haw River
TagUpdate Doc Ellen’s GoFundMe
I have had a very unexpected but wonderful notification … and I need a bit more funding support. The camera store where I had back ordered and placed on hold the new camera, notified me that they have the camera back in stock, but not very many of them. Since there was enough funding in my account for the camera body, they wanted to go ahead and ship me the camera even though I don’t have quite the money to also purchase the lens that goes with it. We talked a bit. We decided to ship the camera to me and wait and see if I could finish raising the rest of the money for the lens that is especially made for the camera (they are holding one for me). I could buy the adapter ($200) that would let me use my present lens with the new camera but with that comes additional weight and the difficulty for me to use the adapter. I and the camera store decided to wait to see if maybe over the next few days my GoFundMe could raise the rest of the money to buy the new lens too. I need an additional $1500 to get the new lens. If you have already donated your time, your funds, your support to me, thank you! If you have not yet made a donation to my GoFundMe please consider doing so. The lighter camera and lens will bring much relief and ease to my fieldwork. I will be able to go to the lake, marvel in all that nature has to show us and then share my delight with all of you. I will be ending the campaign on June 1, 2022, with gratitude to all of you. Thank you, peace and grace, Doc Ellen https://gofund.me/9ba7f009

One Big Chick!
Jordan Lake. H&G bald eagle nest. That is one very large chick! Probably a female because the adult in the nest with her is dad Hershey. At this point the chicks are adult-sized. You can see that this female bald eagle chick is the usual 25% bigger in size than a male.




How Do You Name a Butterfly?
Jordan Lake. This butterfly has an interesting name, “question mark”. I have photographed dozens of these butterflies. This is the first time I’ve gotten a very clear and distinct photo of the marking that gives the butterfly its name. On the underside of the hind wing you can clearly see a white “question mark“. It is always fun when I get to share photographic evidence for an insect’s name.


Doc Ellen’s Natural Minute 2022/05/15
Jordan Lake. Doc Ellen’s Natural Minute. This morning was foggy and had a ghostly visitor. Have a blessed day, take care. Be safe. Be well.
Osprey Dad has Passed Away
Jordan Lake. The osprey father who broke his wing when he became entangled in the fishing line, has passed away. My thanks to the Rangers who rescued him, to Captain Doug for transporting him, to CLAWS for doing the very best they could with getting him proper medical care and hopes to rehab him. My thoughts about the careless fisherman are dark. I simply ask that we all try to remind each other to pick up your trash and carry it out.
