Jordan Lake: I found myself very much in need of some peace and tranquility this evening. I went back to this morning’s cruise with Captain Doug and brought up this great egret and then let the 12-year-old child within me have a hand in making this note and reminder that peace, contentment and tranquility are needed throughout this whole world. Have a blessed evening.

great egret

Jordan Lake. You could say this pair of photos were literally “top” of my morning. Yes, the fledgling osprey is looking straight down the tree trunk at me and three other birders who were watching her. I leaned carefully back and pointed my camera straight up at her hoping she wouldn’t bolt! Don’t miss the fish she’s holding!

female osprey fledgling with the fish she caught

Jordan Lake. Mom Godiva, a female bald eagle, stands at the most about 3 1/2 feet tall. She tried valiantly to get the stick at the red arrows back to her nest. She carried it for more than 200 feet before it got away from her. As you can tell the stick is somewhat longer than she is tall. Bald eagles have a lot of strength.

adult bald eagle nest repair stick drop

Jordan Lake. H&G nest. Bald eagle parents guard their territory all year around. The breeding season here goes from about December 1 to June 1. However the parents are prone to starting repair on their nest if they see a stick that will fit in to whatever hole needs to be patched. Mom Godiva grabbed herself a fairly big stick, hauled it up to the nest and then went fishing and got herself a snack.

Godiva carrying big nest repair stick
into her nest with the stick
fishing for a snack

Jordan Lake. As autumn nears, the American crows tend to gather in rather large noisy flocks. This individual, however, seemed to be intent upon studying just who was sitting there on the shoreline studying him. So before the crow could decide his curiosity was satisfied and fly off, I photographed his inquisitive portrait.

American Crow

Jordan Lake. This fledgling osprey has only been flying about eight weeks. She managed to catch and carry a striped bass that is as long as she is. She never got more than about 2 feet above water. After resting on the log for three minutes she managed to lift the fish one more time and disappeared around the tree line from my sight.