Jordan Lake. This is one of this year’s bald eagle fledglings. Note the wonderful flexions he does at different points along his wings as he adjusts for a very smooth flight in his soaring.
Haw River
TagCommon Loon in Flight
Jordan Lake. Loons and grebes really do not like to fly. I was delighted this morning when this common loon flew into sight. Note his legs…they are long and begin right under his tail … great for swimming underwater but means the loon can’t stand up and walk so he avoids being on land.
Great Blue Heron Brunch
Jordan Lake. 3 great blue herons were trying to share a section of the riprap while they were having brunch. These herons are always territorial even if it means trying to defend maybe 8 feet between itself and its neighbor. You’ll get to see that defense here.
Jordan Lake Screen Savers!
Need the beauty of the Jordan Lake Neighborhood on your computer, tablet or smart phone screen? Many of the photos in my SmugMug Gallery can be purchased as ScreenSavers at https://docellentinsley.smugmug.com
Doc Ellen’s Natural Minute
Jordan Lake. The Bonaparte’s gull can easily plunge-dive to catch fish. In this video watch carefully and you can see sometimes they actually dive under the water rather like an osprey. However, the gull catches the fish with its beak and not its feet.
Bald Eagle Tries to Steal a Fish…
Jordan Lake. Very occasionally I see an immature bald eagle think about trying to take a fish from a great blue heron. The juvenile eagle gets within about 6 feet of the heron’s long beak and backs out. I have never seen before what happened here. The adult bald eagle went after the great blue heron’s fish. Wow!
doc ellen's journey 