Jordan Lake. Foraging together along the shoreline of the lake was a striking pair of birds. One was a very brilliantly white great egret and the other was a very colorful male mallard. The great egret was the first one Captain Doug and I had seen this season.

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Captain Doug and I had slowly circled the First Nest cove and had not seen any bald eagles – adult or fledglings. We turned to float back out of the cove when out of a very very tall tree popped one of the fledglings. It was sure good to see it out flying as if it owned the skies!

Jordan Lake. Mom bald eagle brought a rather large fish to Captain’s Nest. Within minutes one of her fledglings showed up to claim it. Mom had removed and probably eaten the fish’s head before the nest delivery. Now the fledgling has to figure out how to lay the fish down, put a foot on it and tear a piece off in order to eat.

Jordan Lake. “Dear cormorant,” said the turtle, “if you don’t mind would you please tell me what you see above all the trees? There must be more than just sky which is all I can barely see.” “Dear turtle,” replied the cormorant, “yes I will share what my sight reveals as we rest here on sunny log.” Captain Doug and I drifted past and so didn’t hear the bird’s tale, alas.

Jordan Lake. Over the last couple of days the Riley’s 13 year cicada chorus has mostly faded into history. Now the birds such as this northern mockingbird are snacking on what they can find in amongst the rocks, on the sidewalks and probably in your yards. This mockingbird certainly enjoyed his cicada snack.