raptor

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By JL moment …
I know you have had that feeling: you just know you are being watched …
I slowly turned my head.
Less than 100 feet from me Hershey was perched.
The photographer was the one now being observed.
As I steadied my hands for a shot I was sure would not soon be repeated, 
a fisherman came down the slope behind me and Hershey glanced past me.
I pressed the shutter button and Hershey lifted off the branch and was gone.
Sigh.

By Uh, oh, wrong nest in the JL Neighborhood 08/07/2017
The osprey fledgling wandered into the wrong territory.
The mother osprey of the nest he tried to get to took exception to his visit.
Firmly, but without any damage to the youngster,
the adult osprey escorted the juvenile away from her nest.
Notes:  the juvenile is in the lead;
 he is much smaller, because he is a male – not because he is younger
when you can see their backs, the youngster has a white line that bisects his wings.
I call these white spots “rivets”.  They are camouflage spots at the end of his feathers.

By Images

The ospreys are fledging at Jordan Lake – taking their first flights.

Male osprey fledgling. Note his orange eye. Adults have a golden eye.


This is a female osprey fledgling. Her dark feathered “brooch” marks her gender.


A little easier to see her dark neck patch.


By far the easiest way to tell that these ospreys are fledglings are by the white “rivets” on their feathers.


The “rivets” are white dots at the ends of their feathers and will wear off as they age.

By JL Neighborhood, black & white photography
Some days there is nothing like black and white photography to show details.
 
Unknown 4 year-old-bald eagle.  Oh, so, self-assured.
 
 
A pair of ospreys.  The female is the upper bird.  Note her bigger bulk.
 As in all raptors, the girls are bigger.
 
 
A glare that would be worthy of a bald eagle.
The eastern kingbird certainly seemed to be issuing an edict about whose territory I was on.
 
 
Male osprey taking home a fish for his chicks who are close to fledging. 
 
 

By Bald Eagle Lectures this summer

JL Bald Eagle Lecture dates:
I will be giving a bald eagle lecture at the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area on two different dates this summer. The lectures are free and fun for all ages. Info at https://www.ncparks.gov/jordan-lake-sta…/events-and-programs
Dates: July 15 & August 12, Saturdays at 2:00 PM
Location: Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Visitor Center at 280 State Park Road, Apex NC 27523

4-year-old bald eagle photo was made yesterday at the dam during the quarterly bald eagle count.

By Streak!
The male osprey folded tightly.
Twisted as he plunged toward the water.
Determination in every last inch of him.
His chicks and mate needed food and so he fished.