Catalina update, July 11th, 2007

Hi,
Sorry this is a late Wednesday update but on eagle time I’m technically still on time and I do have lots of images to share (as always).
I’m happy to inform that all the Catalina eaglets have fledged and been seen soaring around their nest areas. The last ones to fledged were the Seal Rocks eaglets, they probably fledged a while ago, I just having actually seen them fly myself until last Monday. This picture is from last week.

and these are from this week.
K-03 bottom, K-77 top

see if you can spot K-77 flying with all that vegetation in the back.

both parents are always around
SR mom

SR dad

vocalizing at SR

The WE and TR eaglets are a bit older so they’ve been flying farther and farther away from their nest areas making it more difficult for me to find them, but every now and then I get lucky and are able to spot them.
Last week’s:
K-75 from far away

Getting close to K-75

That’s K75 for sure

yesterday I saw both TR eaglets fly for a very long time, it was beautiful.

cont...

K-76

yesterday’s:
K-75 using parents' favorite perch

K-17 hanging out by her eaglets

still sharing meals together

and off they go again…

and the WE chicks last week:

and today:
it was a beautiful, clear day at the West End, not enough for the cameras to work but clear enough to see the adjacent islands.
One of the WE parents, San Clemente in the back

WE chicks share meals too

it was an easy eaglet check today since they all flew back to their nest at once.

cont...

and lastly the TH eaglets. They were so, so far away, the only way I could tell who was whom was by their radio signals but no such good pictures.
K-78

K-79

I haven’t been able to get a visual on Pinnacle Rocks eaglets this week so no pictures of them but I’ve been radio tracking them and seem to be moving around and doing well.
Pete’s out in Santa Cruz trapping eagles, I’m sure he’ll have many interesting things to report next week. ‘til then.
Steff.

Thank you so much Steff .... beautiful photos and a wonderful update.

It is great to know that all the eaglets have fledged safely .... but they still go home for meals!

I love that the Triplets are all flying together and it looks like the TH Twins are exploring more than the deck area of their nest now!

Really appreciate all that you do to keep us informed .... thanks again.

Steffani, those were gorgeous shots of all Eaglets..... Many thanks for the update, and all of the pixs showing the babies soaring in the clear blue skies over the islands.

There is one shot of K-76 over the water.....and off to his right there is a shadow in or on the water. Could that possibly be a whale??? It looked fairly large, hence my guess......but then again, it could be the shadow of a Helicopter for all I know!!! Anyhoo, I was just curious and wondered if you happened to know.

Once again, A Great Big Thank You!!!

Wow, wow and Wow.

MIB

Just wonderful, Steffani. So many thanks to you--so much appreciation for your beautiful photos. You show us the whole picture.

Steffani you are the one! Just awesome update - what it must be like to see all these young eaglets doing their flying lessons! Thank you - thank you!

Steffani - Thank you so much for your update and photos. It is amazing to see how these babies have grown and taken to the skies.

Dear Steffani,
I've said it before AND I'll say it again...you are just the best! Thanks so much for posting all of your magnificent photos of the fledglings! You must really understand how we here at our computer screens have been feeling the empty nest syndrome in a BIG way! I just really appreciate you taking the time to upload all of your photos for us to see. You are soooooo lucky to be able to do the job that you do!
Nancy

How awesome that you can watch these 'babies' soaring the skies.....and share it all with us! Thank you, Steffani, for all you do and for doing it as more than just a job!

Steffani, you've outdone yourself this time, with so many photos of the eaglets and their parents. I'm so glad to know that they are safe and thriving, and that their parents are keeping watch over them. The pictures of the WE and TH eaglets bring a happy conclusion to my season of viewing them. Earth, Wind, and Fire and Sol and Luna are soaring over the island just as I'd pictured in my mind. The backpack transmitters certainly have a lot of benefit in being able to keep track of all 12 eaglets.

STEFFANI - Thanks for a great update and beautiful pics of the fledging eaglets - sure appreciate being able to see pics of WE and TH eaglets since cam connection isn't working - gives us our eagle fix - thanks for all the hard work you are doing and the long hours for IWS and the eagles.

Sure looked like something big. Awesome pictures.

the large thing in the water was probably just kelp
steff