Jordan Lake: 09/10/2021. I believe these are black terns. Not often seen here. The small flock appeared to have both adults and juveniles. Identification as Black Terns has been confirmed by NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Birds seen between Vista Point and Ebenezer Beach this morning between 7 and 9 AM.

Jordan Lake: “Hmmm, it appears I have put my toes in an awkward place. Let me consider this. Naw, I am an eagle and never get into awkward positions. Nope, not me. The toes are just fine, so there. Now, what was I watching…”

Jordan Lake. This 4-year-old bald eagle certainly has a startling tail feather! In the first photo, the topmost tail feather is a solid deepest brown down the outermost edge. I don’t usually see eagle tail feathers colored exactly like that. It does make her look rakish and sporty. I wish that she would keep that tail feather coloration throughout her life. However she is a four-year-old and in the midst of her molt. So I imagine in another 6 to 12 months she will have the solid white head and tail of a fully adult bald eagle.