Catalina update, August 8th, 2007

Hi everybody,
Welcome to another Catalina update!
I’ve had a great time searching for eagles these past few days. Every week it gets harder and harder to track them down, especially now that everybody is exploring the island’s interior and coasts. As of last week, the Seal Rocks chicks, the youngest eagles in Catalina, had not ventured outside of their territory; on Tuesday I got signals from both of them all the way by Shark Harbor, yesterday near Empire Landing and today by Twin Rocks.
On Monday I radio-tracked by plane and got very good shots of the WE. Here’s a couple.

leaving the WE

I didn’t get signals from any of the birds out there, in fact K-72 was clear on the other side of the island, near Seal Rocks. K-00, who was at the reservoir last week, is back to the Pinnacle Rock area. K-71 has been spotted by the locals feeding of dead seals at Empire Landing for several days now.
Here’s a good shot of K-00 from last week.

(photo by N. Wells)
yesterday I spent all day tracking them down by car and on foot but I was only able to spot K-78 hanging out on the belly of the ‘pregnant lady’ ridge. K-79 was close but I didn’t get a visual. Here’s K-78

one of the parents was perched at their favorite roosting spot.

Today I survey the coast by boat and saw a lot of cool things. Here’s a picture of the Rattlesnake Canyon, I didn’t see either of the pair but I know some of you have been wondering what their territory looks like so here it is.

then I saw a harbor seal, such adorable creatures. They’re very common in Catalina and they get scare easily but I did get a good picture of him/her.

we didn’t see anybody around the TR nest but I did find K-17, the female of the TR pair, fishing by Ripper’s Cove, which is about 3.5 miles west of her nest.

We were very close to her; you could read her number without binoculars. I think she was waiting around for the fishermen to throw some fish for her. I hear they like to feed the eagles.

I saw K-76 and K-75 fly very high above Valley of the Ollas, (south of Ripper’s Cove) heading east. On our way back, I saw K-76 standing right on the edge of their nest.

cont...

Once you spot them it’s very obvious but they are not the easiest bird to spot, anything black that sticks out in the vegetation or among the rocks looks like them.

We stopped at the Great blue heron’s nest again to check up on those babies and they’re so big and look so healthy. It looks like all three are going to make it this year.

and here’s me radio tracking on the boat.

Last week I started working on the Catalina Island Fox Ear Tumor Study with Dr. Winston Vickers, the veterinarian for IWS. It has been wonderful so far, I’m learning a whole lot about foxes and the study being conducted and we’re just getting started. Here’s a picture of one of the pups that we trapped, vaccinated and radio-collared last week. They are so little and cute I feel very lucky to be part of this project as well.

As I was putting the update together, I found out our WE cam went on around 4 this afternoon. Hopefully it’ll be on long enough for us to see and ID the WE eaglets although I’m pretty sure K-72 is still at the East End.
Until 'nest' week
steff

WOW just when I think you can't outdo the previous updates - you do! The fox is adorable - glad you are having the opportunity to work with that aspect of IWS!
Great job and great info and SUPER photos - thank you thank you

Well Steph, it's going to be very hard to top this one. Pictures and update were really great. Thanks so much.

Oh, my goodness, Steffani, another spectacular update about the eaglets and their parents. It was interesting to see the landscapes, too. Thank you very much for the picture of the Rattlesnake Canyon territory. I really needed that for my project, as you know. I liked seeing the pictures of the little fox and the seal and herons, too. Bravo!

Thank you Steffani for a great report. The fox is so cute. You have a great job. You do a wonderful job keeping all of us updated. Thank you again.
Luveagles

Thanks Again Steff! You Rock! Thanks for the fabulous updates and incredible pics. I look forward to Wednesday's to read your great stuff!

Thanks, Steff!

Ditto on all that's been said. Really great Update--everything...down to the seal, herons, and beautiful Island fox. Thank you so much, Steffani.

Terrific update, Steff! What a wonderful experience for you -- thank you for sharing it with us. We are so fortunate that you and everyone at IWS keeps us so informed on the goings-on of your work. Thank you!

Thanks Steffani ----so much good news about the eaglets and their roaming and some foraging on their own .

We noticed also at TR ---that a good way to find the adults for sure, is wait for the fishing boats to come to Hanging Gardens area. The adults sat on the ledges or slope and just watched, waited, watched and then that quick SWOOP out over the water , right up to a short distance of the anglers, drop down those mighty talons and pick up a fish. One time the adult flew right overhead, low, over our boat to get to the fishing boat. I must admit it took my breath away, and tears of joy quickly ran down my cheeks. I kept saying ThankYou! ThankYou! OMG Thank You! ( Eagles can sure stir the emotions quickly)

So happy you have also gotten involved with the Island Fox---good works being done with them also----adorable critters.

Good to see you too in a photo, you look well and happy and looks like Catalina Island life agrees with you! It is a jewel of an Island.

Steff you are just too cute!
TY for the update and pics Ozzie

STEFFANI - Thanks for the wonderful update on the eagles, herons, and channel island foxes - wonderful pics - sure appreciate you taking and labeling them and including a pic of yourself.

Steffani - Thank you for the great update and pictures, you sure are one busy girl. Love that little fox.

Steffani, I'm so glad to hear that you will continue to work on the island. Thanks for the great update. You have a fabulous job, and do a fabulous job as well!