Santa Cruz Update, Friday, August 31, 2007

Well, not much new is happening on Santa Cruz Island right now. The crew is trying to trap some of our eagles to collect blood for contaminants analyses, but the eagles aren't cooperating. We went out in the boat today and tried to trap two birds, but they weren't terribly interested in our fish. The first bird was A-29, a male from Alaska that was released in 2004. The second was A-57, a female released in 2006 whose transmitters stopped functioning soon after she was released. We'll try for her again tomorrow if we can find her and if the ocean is not too rough. Below are I took today of the birds.

A-29 perched near Cueva Valdez (click to enlarge).



A-57 between Prisoner's and Chinese Harbors (click to enlarge).



We put in a new temporary camera on the Pelican Harbor nest yesterday. I think the fuzziness on the web much of the day was from a low battery. The previous camera got a wavy image when the solar panels were charging the batteries, so we had to set up a system that only sporadically charged the battery running the camera. Now both batteries are charging throughout the day and a few days of sun should take care of the image problems.

Until next week.

Thanks for the update Dr. Sharpe. I really like the photo of 29. I can't wait for the day when I will see an eagle with my own eyes!

Thank you very much for the photos of two of the lesser-known eagles, Dr. Sharpe. I noticed that A29 still has his brown tail, even though his head is white.

It was wonderful to see the Pelican Harbor nest today, blurry or not!

Good luck with the trapping, I know that's important to study for contaminants.

Thank you, Peter, for the news about your activities on SC and for the work you did replacing the camera. It is nice to see the nest again.....even if it is fuzzy. And thank you for the pictures of the eagles. I love seeing the different stages of development in them. A29 is turning into quite a 'looker'. Does he have a female that he's keeping company with yet?

Hope you have better luck tomorrow with the trapping.

Thanks, Dr Sharpe!

Thanks Dr Sharpe for the update. Boy if it wasn't for those wing markers, it would sure be difficult to see those young juvies....They really blend with the landscape. Wishing you better eagle trapping. Good things come to those who wait so they say.

Are they catching on to you, or are there better in the ocean?

Thanks for the update..It does sound like those eagles are getting smart to you..

Those are gorgeous photos of A-29 & 57! Great landscape detail on the big blowups of both photos! Thank you very much! Beautiful eagles~~

Thanks Peter, enjoyed the up date and the pictures

It was such a nice surprise to see the SC nest today even if it was fuzzy most of the time, so thank you so much for the work done on it.

Thank you for your update and photos Dr. Sharpe. Good luck in trying to trap those eagles, sounds like they know what you are up to.

Thank you for the photos - love the coloring of both birds - interesting.

Pleasant surprise when the cam popped on! I'm thinking the eagles are on to you as well! Good luck tomorrow...

Hi Dr. Sharpe: Thanks for the update. I know we are supposed to wait for Wedns. updates, but if by any chance any of you spot Cruz would you give us an early update? I'm not handling the loss of little brother too well, so knowing that A49 is doing well might help a little. Sorry to be such a wimp.

Thank You Dr. Sharpe for the update. The photos of A-29 and 57 were beautiful....of course it helps having such beautiful subjects!!!

Good Luck with the trapping....that can't be easy, especially since I think they may be onto you. Still, it would be wonderful to be able to replace the GPS unit on 57, and of course the blood samples are a really significant part of monitoring the contaminants affecting the Eagle's food supply. I'm keeping my talons crossed on that one....