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.

Jordan Lake. First Nest. Do not, I repeat, do not blink! I saw the first fledgling pop up out of the trees so I turned to follow it. Then realized the second fledgling was also in the air. By that time I had lost track of the first one. So like I said don’t blink … this is the second of the two fledglings. Hopefully in the next couple of days I’ll get pictures of both of them together!

Jordan Lake. Do you need some bright cheerful song to brighten up the grayness of the day? This northern Mockingbird was very full of itself. Occasionally looked down to make sure that I was actually listening and watching it. By the way the constant hum underneath the mockingbird’s song is the chorus of the cicadas singing.