Catalina update, July 4th, 2007

[eaglegal]

Hello everyone,
As you all know, last week we did all we could to make the WE and TH cameras work.

We did see 5 out of our 6 eagles out there.

On Thursday I visited Two Harbors and I saw one of the chicks fly around for a little bit. I tried to take a picture but it came out kind of blurry so you are going to have to trust me that that’s one of the chicks flying away and back on the nest.


on the same day I visited Twin Rocks, here’re some cool shots.
K-76 playing hide& seek with me.

K-76 taking off.

and both of the TR parents hanging out by Italian Gardens, their favorite fishing spot.

The fox people take aerial surveys every week here in Catalina; last Friday I was able to join them and survey for our eagles as well. It was an incredible experience to say the least. The island is just so beautiful from above. I was speechless for the most part. I’ve driven to very remote places around the island but seeing it from the sky was not only amazing but a good orientation session for me.
We took off from The Airport in the Sky, which is abut in the middle of the island and made our way to the west end passing by Two Harbors.

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the most of the island, except at the west end and right above Two Harbors where it was cloudy; the exact places where it ‘needs’ to be sunny for our cameras to function properly (hence our power dilemma).

here’s the Two Harbors nest on the ‘pregnant lady’ ridge.


cont...

[eaglegal]

and here’s the West End nest ridge.

WE nest seen from the plane.

Gotta love the fog and the clouds out here ‘cause it’s almost never clear.

Then we turned around and passed by the Twin rocks area. The nest is the whitest rock closer to the water and that big rock is what we climb every time we visit the nest.

TR nest and Italian Gardens.

Here’s some of the burnt area and the road to the interior.

Our city.

The Seal Rocks nest is on the right face of the drainage to your left.

This is The Palisades and Pinnacle Rock at the very end.


cont...

[eaglegal]

This is the Salta Verde area, where some of the juveniles from previous years like to spend their time.

Part of the Reservoir and the Pine trees where we’re hoping K-93 and A-32 will nest.

I asked Mike, the pilot, to get a little closer to the nest areas so I can get some good pictures without the clouds so we flew about 600-700ft. above the TH and WE nests.




This week I went to all 5 nests and they are all doing fine. Here’s one more picture of the WE chicks and SR not fledged yet.



I guess you guys have lots to look at to make up for the failing cams, so until next week.
Happy 4th
Steffani

[kaleefa]

Those are awesome captures steff
thank you so much

[harpo516]

Steffani you are the best - truly the best! Thank you so much!

So can Peter arrange for an aerial tour if we donate lots of $$$ - hmm! What an experience that must have been for you! It's so great to see it from the air - a whole new perspective! And the photos with the clouds - blow away!
Glad to hear all nests are doing great - and the last chicklets are about to fledge! Yes I think your update will hold us until cams come back up!

Thank you - thank you - Did I say thank you!

[suuuu]

Thanks so much for the eagle fix! Glad you got an airplane ride too. Thanks for ALL you (and the rest of IWS) do for us eagleolics - we you!

[Bea]

Thank you so much for all the great pictures!! Great geography lesson for us as well!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE AT IWS !!!

[SoCal Lady]

Thank you Steff!! Fabulous photos of beautiful Catalina Island, glad you got the chance to go up in the plane for these views of the Island for you too experience.

and you posted on what should be a day off for you. Whata Gal! Your dedication is unending.

[circlescribe]

Thank you so much Steffani and IWS crew for the great update It's wonderfully reassuring to know all the Eaglets are doing well and successfully fledging. If only the fog would lift so the cams would work better We'll be looking forward to any and all news you have to share! Happy Fourth of July!

[Naturegal]

Your photos are beautiful. What a treat to be able to see everything from the plane. Have a Happy Holiday and thanks again.

[Paula eaglet momster]

What a great experience, Steffani. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am so glad to hear that one of the TH chicks has fledged! Fantastic pictures of the island!

Thanks, Steff and the great IWS crew!

[Cumbrian]

Thank you Steff ... what a wonderful update ... with super photographs, especially the aerial ones ... a great new experience for you too ... and it is also great to have confirmation that at least one of the TH eaglets has now fledged.

Enjoy the rest of your 4th of July celebrations.

[bethesda54]

Beautiful photos! Thanks to you and the IWS crew.

[Jeanette]

Thank you Steffani for giving us such good aerial shots and such good instructions as to the whereabouts of each nest. It sure is rugged out there. Now we have such a clear picture in our minds of the nesting areas. The pilot did a wonderful job of getting you close enough to some areas.

Do hope you enjoy the 4th and thanks again
Jeanette

[copperwyrd]

THANK YOU Steffani! A special July Fourth present for us. The aerial photos are great to see. Have a safe and sane evening to all!