Catalina update, September 19, 2007

Hi,
Welcome to another Catalina update!
It’s been another busy week of radio-tracking juvenile eagles and training the captive ones. K-76, on of the Twin Rocks chick, left the island last week and was spotted at Mad River Beach in Humboldt County. Sorry, no picture.
The rest of the eagles keep moving around mostly on the east end of the island, which happens to be where hunting is taking place. Though most of them return to the reservoir at least once a week.
Here are some of the places were they like to spend their times.
Silver Canyon

The Palisades

Salta Verde

Bulrush Canyon pond

Last Friday I was tracking down some eagles in Bulrush Canyon, which is on the other side of the reservoir, and I spotted K93 being harassed by ravens. Pretty soon a second eagle joined the crowd, it was A32.
Here’s the happy couple flying together

I kept watching and soon a third eagle came into the picture…it was K-75 (the other Twin Rocks chick). Here he is flying over the ridge.

As if this wasn’t enough, a red-tailed hawk joins the crown and gets harassed by the ravens as well. I think the eagles ‘won’ this time ‘cause they were the last ones to land. It was pretty neat!
I tried to take a picture of all of them with my binoculars but it didn’t come out so good.

cont…

Pimu’s training is coming along. She’s back to eating a few pieces of pork off the perch here and there. We’re feeding her less (just one fish) to encourage her to eat what we offer to her while we are there. But don’t worry, she’s getting enough nutrients in her diet, and it probably wouldn’t hurt her to shed that extra pound or so.
Hyde has been great too. He gets pieces of pork (sprinkled with Vitahawk) while he’s on the glove and he takes it right off our fingers. In the beginning we wore a small leather glove just in case but he is gentle enough for us to do it with our bare fingers. Here’re a couple of shots of us working with him.

You’re probably noticing the special belt Pete is wearing. Well, since Hyde is so heavy, we need to rest our arm somewhere, so we use that ‘arm-extension’ for more support, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to hold him for more than a couple of minutes.

Sometimes I just rest my arm on that lower perch, it keeps him more steady while he feeds.
I’d like to share a couple more shots of him. Here he was looking at the string of my camera and probably wondering why it moved so much.

and here’s Hyde showing off his nice ‘golden’ feathers

Lastly, I’ll leave you with another beautiful sunset shot.

Have a great week.
Steff

Oh my goodness Steffani! I just love these two photos! What expressions! You are so lucky to be able to work so closely with these amazing creatures! Thanks for taking such fabulous pictures!

Thanks for the update, Steffani! Glad you were able to catch up with the two Twin Rocks chicks - and even caught a picture of one!

And the pictures of Hyde are great! He does seem to be getting used to sitting on the glove to get his food!

Hi Steff.

Thanks! for the great update. Hyde is certainly a beautiful boy. I love the picture of him sampling "finger food". Sounds like Pimu is getting over her little "spell".

Maybe she's jealous - has to share the limelight with a newbie.

Thanks, too, for the other great photos, eagle updates, and all your hard work.

As usual, WONDERFUL update and FANTASTIC photos, thanks so much. How exciting with the progression of Pimu and Hyde training! Thank you so much, for taking the time out to post - we know how hard you guys work.

Thank you, Steffani for your update. There are always interesting information's and pictures I find. As for Pimu and Hyde, what kind of training have you been doing, for their IQ or to increase their physical strength?

Wonderful shot of the couple - we didn't see them that close up (or you have a way better lense than we do ) Great photos and info!

Happy go see Hyde working with you guys! That's tremendous - he's beautiful Pimu needs to come around a bit faster - her new neighbor isn't going anywhere - get over yourself girl!

Always enjoy the updates and information and truly the photos are super!

Stephanie...I can't get over those two shots of Hyde looking at the camera. Those are just un believable. Don't these animals talk with their eyes. I'm so glad everyone is safe and sound and flying high in the sky. Thanks so so so much for sharing with all of us. We drool over every picture you know.

Steffani - Thank you so much for your update and fabulous pictures. Hyde is one handsome fellow and hopefully Pimu will come around soon, maybe it's a girl thing . Glad you got to see some of the eagles soaring over the island, what a beautiful sight. Thanks again to you and Peter, we really look forward to all your updates and pics.

Those are really great pictures Steff, lots of progress.

Great update!

Mad River Beach where K76 was spotted is only about 15 miles from where I live.

Glad to hear my favorite Catalina couple (A32 and K93) are still together.

Great photos, Steffani...loved the stand-off pix. Really wonderful photos and text on Hyde. I sure like his face...very handsome guy! Thank you.

Hi, Stef... I hope that you KNOW how much you are appreciated. Many of us live vicariously through your weekly postings of pictures and experiences.
Thank you for allowing us to 'tag along' with you!

As always very interesting and the photos are very good...Thanks