Catalina update, September 12, 2007

Hi,
Not much to report for this week. Most of the eaglets that were here last week are still somewhere around the island, going back and forth from coast to coast. Most of them ended up at the reservoir last weekend, I guess they are finding all kinds of “goodies” now that hunting season has began. Here are some places where I’ve either spotted them or gotten signals from this week.
Mount Orizaba (the highest peak on the island)

Black Jack (the second highest elevation)

The reservoir

If you look closely you can see the building where both Pimu’s and Hyde’s enclosures are at. Very close to the reservoir

Two Harbors

Here’re a few shots of the eagles I’ve seen
K-75 flying above the reservoir

K-75 getting a bit closer

Here’s K-93 flying over Pimu’s

I forgot to mention on the previous updates that I am also tracking a few juveniles from previous years. At the beginning of the year we had about 9 of them still in Catalina (K-42, K-47, K-50, K-51, K-54, K-56, K-61, K-63 and K-64). Some of them have probably left the island but for the most part (especially the 2004 juveniles) their transmitter probably stopped working. The 2007 eaglets started hanging out at places commonly frequented by these older birds. Here’s K-64 at Silver Canyon, which is at the Palisades very close to Salta Verde beach, a very popular ‘eagle hang-out’.

cont…

I flew last Friday and it was another super clear day so I was able to see the northern islands again. I took a picture but I’m not sure that it justifies how beautiful it actually looks.

And got to throw a picture of the West End, so pretty

And Two Harbors with Santa Barbara and San Nicholas in the back

About our captive eagles…Hyde is loving the place, he’s picked his favorite perch already, which happens to be on the same side of the cage where Pimu’s favorite spot is and they both face the same way and look at the cars coming on the road. He’s been very good during training, he makes the cutest, most strange noises while he’s on the glove, and he makes funny squeaks when we touch his feet or any part of his body. Here’s a close up of him, checking out the birds flying over the cage.

As far as Pimu goes, she didn’t like the change so much. The first few days she completely lost interest in me so we went right back to square one. She didn’t want to eat the treats I normally offer to her, she didn’t even eat her food for two whole days. She just stood on her perch vocalizing away. She’s back on her normal feeding schedule now (2 bluegill per day), I continue to offer her treats but she’s still not interested. I think it’s going to take some adjusting time before we can move forward with her training.
That’s all for this week
Bye
Steff

Thank you, very exciting..

Not too much to report? Are you kidding me? Wow, what a great update. Steff, I don't know what we did without you! You are terrific!

BTW, I am totally in love with Hyde. Hope Pimu feels the same eventually.

Fantastic photos - I love the visuals - it helps so much picture in my mind what everyone talks about! Great news about all the eagles.

Pimu - get over the attitude - he's not leaving - get to know your new neighbor!
I'm sure he's eating whether you do or not .. She'll come around! She's like the first born who suddenly gets a new brother/sister that she wasn't counting on! It's her way or no way!

Hyde looks super! Glad to hear things are moving forward - even though a bit slower on one side of the enclosure than the other!

So will you guys try to eventually recapture some of the eagles that have lost their transmitters - well, I know you are - but would the goal be to catch them all if possible or just random and you take what you get!? Does that make sense?

It's late and I should be in bed but sure glad I got to see this first.

As always - thank you - ps at least your arm gets a rest while you are flying! How wonderful is that though ...

Wonderful update Steff thank you so much. Hyde looks so proud and happy with his new surroundings. Hope Pimu comes around soon.

Photos are breath taking! Someday I hope to get out that way and see it live and in person.

Thanks Steffani for the amazing update. Beautiful photos. Hyde is very handsome!

I hope that eventually Pimu will enjoy his company

Wonderful update and wonderful pictures. Would love to hear the sounds Hyde is making as you work with him.

Hope Pimu comes around soon. She's been alone and the center of attention for so long, she's got an attitute. Hopefully her curiousity will overcome her attitute and you can get back on track with her.

How's your arm feeling?

Beautiful photographs, Steffani. Beautiful island and enjoy the views of the other islands. Thank you for the news of older birds. .

A CHIL member emailed me that one of his workers saw a bald eagle (probably several weeks ago now) around a Malibu canyon area mountain peak. I guess it was an adult or sub-adult if he was able to identify it quickly. Years of hard work paying off...and so exciting.

Hyde is so handsome. Great face.

Steffi - Great update and magnificent photos. What beautiful islands, so scenic and untouched by man. Hope they stay that way. Hyde is so handsome and I hope that Pimu adjusts to her new neighbour. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed and hope your arm is improving.

Great update Steffani, for "not much to report".
I guess if you let US be the judge of that, the opinions differ!
By the way, I LOVE YOUR JOB!!!!
Flying around taking pictures, tracking bald eagles, training captive eagles, fishing to feed them.

I have no doubt it IS a lot of work, but with your heart in it so much, doesn't seem like it from here!

You've gotta have that smile we see permanently embedded.



So, as for the transmitters that stop working. Will they eventually fall off on their own, or will an attempt be made to trap them and remove it????

Thanks for the tour (again) Steff, I felt like I'm right there (again). Funny about Pimu, jealous of Hyde???? distracted? yep. typical female!

Great update, Steff. Thanks for the pics.

About the enclosure - is it the building in the middle of the picture, or the bottom right?

Thanks!

Thanks Steffani for a beautiful update - don't ever think you have nothing to report - you are our eyes to things most all of us will never see, but you as a biologist do - interesting about Hyde and Pimu - must feel her space is being invaded even though they have separate areas - hopefully she will get over her "tude" soon. Thanks for the beautiful pics - like Paula am trying to figure out if I am looking at the right building for Hyde and Pimu.

Steffani, you've given me another enjoyable virtual tour of Catalina, and its surrounding scenery, too. I appreciate being able to see the bird's-eye views as they give me a clearer understanding of the landscape of Catalina.
Pimu sounds a bit discombobulated but she'll come around and adjust once she realizes Hyde is there to stay. I was happy to read about some of the older eagles, too. Thank you for the photo of K93, too. Everything you do for us is very much appreciated. I do hope your arm has improved, Steff.