The two bald eagle chicks at First Nest have fledged! 1st fledgling in far upper right and empty nest far lower left. 2nd Mom Kate far left looking up to fledgling far upper right. Capt. Doug has been doing double duty: checking his nests as well as mine to monitor while I am in recovery. My recovery is being greatly helped by shared thoughts and photos from all of you and by Capt. Doug’s continuing observances at First Nest for me. Thank you all!
In the first photo you can just barely see the bright white sliver of the top of the chick’s head above the blue arrow. The white tail to the right of chick’s head belongs to Dad Bard. The other 3 photos are Bard leaving the nest and in flight.
Jordan Lake. Captain Doug and I were out on the main lake today – first time since the flooding had occurred. We got to First Nest cove and there was one of this year’s fledglings. Looking like he owned the whole cove. Mom Kate seemed to be happy to ignore her youngster and simply survey the area. Great seeing both mom and offspring! PS some of the Lake’s areas are open… and some are not. If you want to go I suggest calling ahead to make sure the area you want to enter is open.
Jordan Lake. First Nest. This is a black-and-white rendition of Mom Kate carrying a fish to the nest today. I still do not know whether or not the second chick has fledged! I either see one in the nest or two in the nest, or one in the nest and one in the air. So until I can see both of them in the air at the same time, I’m still up in the air about both having fledged, so to speak.
Jordan Lake. First Nest. One moment mom Kate was perched on a branch very very still … the next moment she launched!
Jordan Lake. First Nest. Mom Kate had a big fish and she had a long way to travel to get it back to the nest. She was in a hurry! Then almost right behind her came Dad Bard with some fresh nest lining material. I don’t know how many chicks are in that nest but I can tell you this: they are well fed and pooping a lot so they have to be doing pretty darn good.
doc ellen's journey 