Spirits of Independence - In an Interdependent World

Eva and Albert's newest offspring is eating its way to independence.

Last night one of the parents brought a bird to the nest for dinner. The parent deposited the food and was quickly chased away by the soon-to-be, fledgling.

The young bird spent an hour eating last night and early this morning when a fish was provided the eaglet was ready to eat some more.

The young bird looks larger than Albert and maybe even bigger the Eva too. The struggle between the young bird's spirit of independence, while it remains completely dependent on its parents, is a classic example of the difficulties of the maturation process for eagles and humans as well.

This video shows the eaglet working to prepare for its first flight.

http://youtu.be/ZbiW-0lVdxU

This weeks post only includes photos taken near Union Bay in the last 24 hours. These are just a few examples of how nature surrounds us, even in the city. All of these creatures are independent and yet just like us they are all interdependent on the web of life that is nature.

This gosling and family were just west of Foster Island yesterday afternoon.

This mallard duckling and its mother were just east of Foster Island.

It is interesting to compare the mallard duckling with this wood duck duckling that was near Beaver Lodge Sanctuary this morning. They are subtly different but it might be hard to pick them out if you saw them without their mothers. (Did you note the dark triangle in front of the mallard duckling's eye?)

While photographing the eaglet this young raccoon tried to sneak across the street.

While photographing the wood ducks this belted kingfisher landed nearby.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology shows the male kingfisher as having one blue belt across the chest while the female has a blue and a brown belt. (You can see the photos here.) Curiously, this bird has a single brown belt. Possibly it is a young male whose belt is just starting to turn blue. 

Just below the Kingfisher a bumble bee was working these blossoms.

Duckling Challenge:

Watch the following video and see if you can determine which type of duckling you are seeing. It is one of the two types you saw earlier. 

Click HERE to see The Hungry Duckling.

There is a hint in the video as well.

Our houses, offices and cars insulate us from the natural world and make us feel independent. If that is not enough insulation many folks wear earbuds while jogging around Union Bay. I hope these photos and videos inspire you to observe, listen and enjoy nature. Every cell in our bodies is part of nature and our survival is one hundred percent dependent on the natural world. This week's survival suggestion, "Move electrons, not molecules".

Here is a quick little "Good-Bye" video:

Click HERE.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city!

Larry