
Winter, Water, Critters


First Nest update… Nope the photo is not of one of the eagles! Yesterday the lake level was still so high that I could not see the nest but I did manage to glimpse one of the parents dashing across the cove and into the tree with the nest and that is good news especially in this cold cold weather. The photo is a little brown-headed nuthatch that was looking at me like “well Doc what are you going to about this cold weather? I have to fluff my feathers all up and you have to bundle all up.” Frigid air indeed.

First Nest. Mom Kate had flown in to take her turn in incubating the eggs. Dad Bard had been fidgeting – even while he was incubating – with a stick. So when Mom Kate came in he decided to do something about that stick. It becomes rather comical. Ah the foibles of being parents!
Music is Excusez-moi by Roo Walker.
First Nest. Egg(s)! Incubation! Kate has laid her egg or eggs. She and Bard are sharing the incubation. Hatching will take 30-35 days. Great way to start the new year!
It is New Year’s Eve and I wanted to share a quiet ending to this year with each of you. So, please enjoy the mallards as they serenely paddle Jordan Lake.
First Nest. As of Thursday afternoon mom Kate had not yet laid eggs. Captain Doug and I were out checking on the nests. We found Bard at First Nest being quite put out. He looked left, he looked right, he looked high and was wondering where the heck was mom Kate. Most likely she was out fishing for her own supper. I’ll be back out the next day or two and hoping to find one or the other of the parents in incubation. #FirstNest #DocEllensJourney


