Picture of a Leucistic Bald Eagle, A Squid's Strange Feeding Habits, Penguins

I found a new picture of a leucistic Bald Eagle. Leucistic birds are missing some or all of the pigments in their feathers. This is a beautiful leucistic Bald Eagle! I love the mottled look.

Check out this video of a squid's strange feeding habits. 

Here's a short video about Penguins. I like the part where they 'ski' down the slopes to get to the water!

Bald Eagle Buddy Training Update, Hummingbirds on Feathered Photography, Dr. Bryan Watts to Give Keynote Address, Hawk Silhouettes

Well, I don't know what to say about Buddy. There is a training update posted for him. Something that Ed Clark said way back in the day, when they decided to keep him as an educational animal, has stuck with me. He said that some Bald Eagles develop problems when they reach maturity. And Buddy has been acting out lately. I hope that this is just a phase that he is going through... Here's a link to the update.

My other avian love besides raptors are Hummingbirds. I am so happy, the other day, a Hummingbird found my feeder and seems to be sticking around! Anyway, Ron Dudley has a new post on Hummingbirds on his Feathered Photography blog. The pictures of the Hummingbirds are great and the flowers are beautiful. I don't think those flowers grow around here. There are some butterfly pictures too. But I really love the Hummingbird pictures!

Dr. Bryan Watts, Director of The Center for Conservation Biology, will be giving the keynote address to the annual meeting of the Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch Association (EMHW) on Friday September 6th. It is open to the public. He will be talking about the Chesapeake Bay Bald Eagles. See CCB's Eagle Nest Blog for details. This event is in Medford, Mass -- which is where my Dad's side of the family is from. Wish I could go...

I spent some time poking around the EMHW site and found a page about identifying hawks by their silhouette -- which is very often all that you can see. Pretty good info there. Check it out.

Pam Monahan's New Pictures of Bald Eagle HK, Bald Eagles NX And Camellia Checked In Today

Pam Monahan has posted five new pictures of HK. They have today's date and it looks like they are at Honey Bee Golf Course. HK looks so good! Bravo Pam!

NX checked in today. She has been staying on the banks of the Potomac River. She's not very adventurous...

Camellia checked in today too! The first map shows two areas where he has traversed so many times it looks like a bunch of scribbles. At least he seems to be a little more adventurous than NX...

Disappearing Bald Eagle Nest, Update on a Bald Eagle's Bad Landing, Kentucky Bald Eagle Numbers, Off-Topic: Movie Score Web Site

A Bald Eagle nest has completely disappeared. The land-owner thinks the birds dismantled the nest themselves. But the Game Commission wonders what happened and offers a couple of other ideas. It's an interesting article -- read it here.

I blogged about the Bald Eagle that had a bad landing. I found an article today that includes more details about the rescue and includes two pictures. All I can say is... Wow!

Kentucky Bald Eagle numbers are soaring. This article includes a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources map that generally shows where the nests are located. If you go looking for a nest, keep in mind that eagles are sensitive during the nesting season. If you want to observe an active nest, please keep a good distance so you don't disturb nesting activities. A nest can fail if humans disturb the eagles.

This is not eagles or nature. But a friend-at-work's husband has a movie rating site. I'm always looking for good movies and this site is pretty neat! So I'm sharing the link! (I've already got some movies on my 'to watch' list...)

Duane Noblick Has New Pictures of Bald Eagle Dad Norfolk, Bald Eagle NX Has Checked In, A Leucistic Bald Eagle Family

Duane Noblick has posted some new pictures of Dad Norfolk on the Norfolk Eagles Forum. There is also a link to a short video. In the video, he's perched with his weight on one foot. Then he tucks the other foot up under his feathers. Never saw an eagle do that before...

NX has checked in. Has she gone very far? Not at all! Check it out...

A leucistic Bald Eagle has been nesting in an area for three or four years. This Bald Eagle has a leucistic offspring. Click on the thumbnails under the picture so you can see both the adult and the offspring.

Bald Eagle Camellia's Location, Bald Eagle Injured From a Bad Landing, Locations To View Wildlife Near San Francisco, Bald Eagle Flies Into a Window at Oral Roberts University

Camellia is doing some exploring. Reese has posted his most recent locations. Reese also told Shelly (in the comments) to check her pictures. I wonder if she found him...

A juvenile eagle has a bad landing. A really bad landing. Once a Bald Eagle fledges, it needs to learn pretty quick how to land. This eagle is seriously injured. I hope it can recuperate. Here's the story.

A San Francisco paper has published an article listing the best locations to view wildlife. Looks pretty good -- if you live near San Francisco...

I just watched some video and am completely disgusted. There was a "spirit day" at Oral Roberts University. They had a Bald Eagle that was supposed to fly around the room and return to its handler. Instead, he became confused and flew into a window. Many of these college students in the audience are laughing after it happened. The story says that the Bald Eagle is not injured. But I'd say this college's reputation is injured. Aren't these supposed to be Christians? And they laugh when our national symbol flies into a window and is possibly injured? What a bunch of idiots. I'm not even going to provide a link, I'm so disgusted. You can google it if you are interested.

2014 Garden of Eagles Calendar Is On Sale Now, Chickens in Hampton

The 2014 Garden of Eagles Calendar is now on sale. This calendar supports The Wildlife Center of Virginia and The Center for Conservation Biology. If you haven't seen one of these calendars, let me tell you, they are awesome! We have got all of these fantastic photographers that contribute pictures. It really is a beautiful calendar. They sell out every year, so place your order soon!

The following is a Hampton, VA News Release:

For immediate release

Fred Gaskins | fgaskins@hampton.gov | 757-727-6191

22 Lincoln Street | Hampton, VA 23669

Chicken ordinance goes into effect later this year

Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 – Hampton’s new chicken-keeping ordinance – approved by City Council Wednesday night – doesn’t go into effect until later this year, giving the city time to establish the permit process.

Once that process is established, anybody who wants to keep up to four hens in their backyard – no roosters allowed – can apply for a permit from the Treasurer’s office at 1 Franklin St.

The permit/advance approval is to ensure that residents don’t spend money on a chicken coop that’s in the wrong place or doesn’t meet city standards. The fee will be $25.

The ordinance also says:

• No more than four chickens may be kept on lots with a single-family residence, and no chickens are allowed on townhomes, duplex, condominium, apartment or manufactured housing park properties.

• Chickens have to be kept for domestic purposes – no commercial activity, including selling eggs or chicken for meat - is permitted.

• Chickens must have a covered, predator-proof shelter that is ventilated, provides adequate sun, shade, and protection from the elements, and is easily cleaned. The shelters have to be located in the back yard and be at least 25 feet from any neighboring residences or businesses.

• Shelters must be kept in a sanitary condition and cleaned on a regular basis.

• All feed has to be kept in a secure container or location to keep from attracting rodents and other animals.

• Chicken litter and waste can’t be stored or stockpiled.

Hampton Animal Control will be responsible for investigating and either approving or denying applications. Violating any provision of the new ordinance could result in the revocation of a permit. Violation is also punishable by a fine of not less than $250.

I wish I had enough backyard to do this!

Bald Eagle Buddy, Meet the Olinguito, Bug Wars (Green Ants vs Paper Wasps and Tiger Leech vs Freshwater Crab), Louisiana Sinkhole, Soldiers Reuniting With Their Dogs, Red Sprite Lightening, Mating Dance of Peacock Spiders, Applications To Go On a One-way Trip to Mars, Why Do Wolves Howl, Intelligence in Other Animals

I finally got a new screen capture of Buddy -- he's handsome like his Dad!

A new mammal has been discovered. Meet the Olinguito!

Bug wars! Who wins these battles?

• Green Ants vs Paper Wasps 
• Tiger Leech vs Freshwater Crab

This is a wild video: Louisiana Sinkhole Swallows Trees

Here are 10 videos of Soldiers Reuniting With Their Dogs.

I've never heard of Red Sprite Lightening. It happens pretty often, but it's above the clouds so you can't see it...

Check out these pictures and video of The Mating Dance of Peacock Spiders. You've got to check this out!

How would you like to go on a one-way trip to Mars? They are taking applications until August 31st.

Why do wolves howl? Reading this article prompted me to consider intelligence in other animals. I found this  interesting article about intelligence in animals.

Training update for Bald Eagle Buddy, More Pictures of Bald Eagle HK, Location Updates for Bald Eagles NX and Camellia

There is a training update for Bald Eagle Buddy!

Pam Monahan has done it again. HK is being very cooperative for her. Two new pictures with today's date!

There is an update posted for Bald Eagle NX's location. She must be in an area with pretty good cell coverage. We've been getting pretty regular check-ins from her lately.

There is also an update for Bald Eagle Camellia's location.

Full Moon and Sleep, Efforts to Save The Atlantic Puffin, Panda Cams, Google Street View Oceans, Car/Motorcycle Hybrid, Wind Energy, Eastern Black Rhino Baby, Time-lapse Video Of The Aurora Borealis, Camp Gyno

It's a full moon tonight! How does a full moon affect your sleep?

Some people are working hard to save the Atlantic Puffins. I missed my calling. I would love to do something like this!

China is advertising their Panda cams. Here's a link to the story. I'm hesitant to check out the cams though. Since, it's China... Leave a comment if you are brave enough to check out the cams.

You have probably heard of Google Street View. Well, now there's Google Street View Oceans. Looks pretty cool.

Is it a car or is it a motorcycle? Either way, it's a greener way to get around.

There is some interesting research into wind energy. I wonder if these vertical axis turbines, when packed closely together, would pose less of a risk to birds.

An endangered Eastern Black Rhino was born at the Atlanta Zoo.

Check out this time-lapse video of the Aurora Borealis.

I'll end tonight's post on a funny note. I think this video is hilarious. Camp Gyno. (Hey, it's part of nature!)

Bald Eagles Camellia and NX Check In, Pam Monahan's New Pictures of Bald Eagle HK, What Hummingbirds Want, 7 Bear Attacks In 7 Days, Dolphins Experiencing Unusual Mortality Event, It's A Shark-Eat-Shark World

Bald Eagle Camellia is out on tour. He seems determined to shake off the photographers that are trying to find him. Here's his latest data.

Bald Eagle NX finally checked in today too. Here's her latest data. I think it's pretty cool that they also get data on her altitude...

Pam Monahan has posted some new pictures of Bald Eagle HK. The pictures are dated 8/19 and 8/20. She is having a lot of luck finding him lately!

Here's an informative article about What Hummingbirds Want. I need all the pointers I can get!

7 Bear Attacks in 7 Days. There is so much habitat loss, I fear that it's only going to get worse...

Dolphins are experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event.

It's a Shark-Eat-Shark World.

Pam Monahan Got Some New Pictures Of HK, More Screen Captures from the Okeanos Explorer Deep-sea Exploration

Pam Monahan has posted some new pictures of HK that she took today. He looks so handsome!

Here's some more s'caps from the Okeanos Explorer. These are also from Tuesday 8/14:

Squid:

Octopus hanging out under a ledge:

Zoomed in some on the same Octopus:

Zoomed in a lot on the same Octopus. It looks like an alien face...

Bamboo Coral:

This is a mat of coral:

They zoomed in on the mat of coral. There's also a squat lobster in this s'cap.

I thought this coral was so pretty against the dark background:

Here's another toad fish.

And they called this a flatfish. Is that another way to refer to a flounder...

Bald Eagle Alaska Goes On An Adventure, Nanticoke River Bald Eagles, "Earthflight" Miniseries Schedule, More Screen Captures From The Okeanos Explorer Deep-sea Exploration

A glove trained Bald Eagle named Alaska went on an adventure. She got loose when she was spooked by a screech of gulls. (Screech is a collective noun for a group of gulls.) But she returned to her handler for some fish! Take a look at the picture -- that's a huge Bald Eagle!

You can google Nanticoke River to see where this story takes place. It's near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This news article is about Bald Eagles in that area.

I mentioned in a previous post about the Miniseries "Earthflight" that will be airing on PBS starting in September. This recent article shows the schedule -- where the filming takes place and what birds are involved.

More s'caps from the Okeanos Explorer deep-sea exploration that just finished up. These pictures were taken on Tuesday 8/14 on the SE wall of Oceanographer Canyon.

Paramuricea Coral and Black Coral.

Look at the difference in the Paramuricea Coral in the next two pictures. That's fishing line laying on it. You can see the damage done to this coral by the fishing line. I've seen baby birds on nest cams that are tangled in fishing line. I've seen pictures of birds with fishing line tangled around them. Birds can lose a foot from tangled fishing line cutting off the circulation. I've seen birds with fish hooks stuck in them. And I read a story about the rescue of a bird that was in a tree hanging upside down from fishing line. If it hadn't been spotted, it would have died. I'll say it again: Please properly dispose of your fishing line!

Paramuricea Coral and Anthomastus

This is some type of Sponge.

And a closer look, where you can see a shrimp is making this sponge its home.

This is a Glass Sponge on the lower left. It looks like a squat lobster is inside, you can just see what looks like a pincher inside it. I think that's Bamboo Coral at the top...

I saw a few of these red sea stars over the few days that I watched the exploration. (I think this is a Bat Star.)

Dinner time! I think they said that was a squid being eaten.

Look at how well this Toad Fish is camouflaged.

They zoomed in on the same fish. This is a face that only a mother could love!

Pam Monahan's New Pictures of Bald Eagle HK, Location Update for Bald Eagle Camellia, Bee-killing Pesticide, O'Hare Airport's Project Herd, More S'Caps From The Okeanos Explorer

Pam Monahan has gotten some new pictures of Bald Eagle HK! He looks so good! He is in his 5th year (he's 4 years old). His whites are looking very white! This is Azalea's brother from the same nest, same year. So, if anyone ever spots her again, she should look very similar.

Reese has posted an update for Bald Eagle Camellia. He's keeping to the same general area, but not staying in one place...

There is a bee-killing pesticide that has been found in garden store plants. There is a huge reduction in honey bee populations due to a recent occurrence called Colony Collapse Disorder. Something is happening to bees similar to how DDT harmed birds. Bees are so important! Read this article and make sure you aren't contributing to the problem with the plants you buy.

O'Hare Airport has found a way to put nature to work. I wish Norfolk International Airport would find a way to coexist with the NBG Bald Eagles!

Here are some more pictures from the Okeanos Explorer. I took these s'caps on Tuesday:

This starfish reminds me of John Travolta...

Three things here: Yellow Coral, Sea Spider, and a Brittle Star.

Here's a closer look at the Sea Spider. The scientists were speculating that it was eating whatever that white substance is. (I'm not sure what it is. The scientists might have known/said what it was. But if so, I didn't catch it.) They said the Sea Spider was either eating it or kissing it... They were funny!

This Brittle Star is hanging in there! Is this called, "Hang Five"?

More Screen Captures From The Okeanos Explorer

I'm just going to post some pictures tonight from watching the Okeanos Explorer. These are s'caps I took yesterday while they were looking at the SE wall of Oceanographer Canyon. Tomorrow is the last day to watch the deep-sea exploration. I'm going to try to correctly identify what's in these pictures...

These are both Anthomastus, with the one on the bottom right being in the withdrawn state.

There are a bunch of Bivalves hanging out on this ledge.

Look at how little but fierce this Squat Lobster is!

Black coral with a Squat Lobster associate.

This Spiny Crab was walking along and using its pinchers to grab silt and put it in its mouth. In this picture, you can see its right pincher is moving a fist-full of silt to its mouth... (Um, it's facing left in case you can't tell...)

Here's another ledge of Bivalves with an Octopus hanging out. I never realized how cute Octopus are!

A closer s'cap of the cutie!

One of the scientists asked them to zoom in on this Barnacle hanging off of one of the Bivalves. And I was all ho-hum... But then they zoomed in and I could see the feathery cirria fanned out -- pretty cool!

This is a different spiny crab. I thought they looked pretty neat.

Dogfight Between an Osprey and a Bald Eagle, Bald Eagles in Ohio, More Screen Captures From The Deep-sea Exploration on the Okeanos Explorer

Here's an interesting story about a dogfight between an Osprey and a Bald Eagle. 

Bald Eagles are making a comeback in Ohio.

OK, time for more pictures from the deep-sea exploration. These are the last of the s'caps from Sunday... But... I've got a bunch more from yesterday and today. So, I'll just keep on with my normal post and then I'll put s'caps at the end... If you see the two red laser dots in any of my s'caps, they are used for measuring, with the dots being 4 inches apart. The last day of the exploration is Friday, so if you haven't been able to watch it so far, time is running out!

Anemones and coral on a rock.

This red crab is eating a Ctenophore (Comb Jelly)

The scientists were really excited when they saw this purplish coral. My favorite color is purple, so I liked it too. There's a shrimp on the right and I'm not sure what the translucent thing with dark blobs was. It was moving...

This Cup Sponge is hosting a Squat Lobster and a Brittle Star. There's a Red Crab in this shot too.

How cool is this?!?!?! A Sea Spider! I didn't know that there were spiders that live underwater. I wonder how closely they are related to land dwelling spiders, or if they only have that name due to the resemblance...

Ha! Photo bomb!

Doesn't this look unreal? Like, it's just too perfect...

Here's a Shrimp hanging out on some Coral.

It's impossible to find a rock that isn't hosting some sort of life...

I'm not seeing as many fish as I had expected...

At the end of the day, they bring all of the equipment back onboard the Okeanos Explorer. In the center of the bottom left quadrant is a piece of the equipment that they are hoisting out of the water.

This big block is another piece that goes into the water. I believe this piece contains the lights and cameras.

This is the last of my s'caps from Sunday. Tomorrow, I'll start with Tuesday's s'caps...