Catalina update, October 3rd, 2007

[eaglegal]

Hello everybody,
Every couple of weeks or so one of the juveniles leaves the islands; last week was K-00’s turn and this week it seems to be that K-03 has left as well. Of course they could always be at the bottom of a canyon where I don’t happen to go that particular day but it’s most likely that they have left. We hope wherever they go they are safe and finding lots of good food and company. We are down to K-64, K-56, K75, and K77, though I keep scanning for everyone just in case they decide to come back and visit their siblings and ‘cousins’.
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to take any pictures of the juveniles this week, mostly because I’ve been gone for most of the week BUT…I finally have some pictures of Pimu’s training. A friend of mine stopped by at Pimu’s as I was about to start feeding them and so he got some good shots of both of them. Take a look!
This is both of them from Hyde’s side of the cage

and this is both of them from her side of the cage. She doesn’t normally perch here, only when she’s really hungry she waits here and watches me prepare the food outside of the cage.

Isn’t she beautiful…perched above the water like a ‘real’ bald eagle.

When I come in to feed her she takes off to her platforms or her training perch.

This is Pimu on her new/training perch.

She’s been eating her pieces of pork off my fingers every day now

Her beak is huge but she is so gentle when she takes the food, it reminds me of how gentle the parents are when they feed their babies.

Then it was Hyde’s turn. He has improved so much, now he flies over to a lower perch and steppes up very quickly, he eats most of his pork by hand and then steps down. If I want to pick him up again he steps up even faster than the first time.

That’s all I have for this week.
See you next Wednesday.
Steff

[lakemaryeaglewatcher]

Fantastic pictures Steff. Thanks so much.

[cdn-cdn]

Your friend got some great pictures of you with Pimu and Hyde, Steff. I liked the ones where they are on either side of the netting. Pimu looked like she was really eager to have her food, although as you observed she was gentle even though she must have been hungry. I hope you can stay longer since they are both doing so well with the training.

[Ladydi0363]

Steph,

Great pictures, as always such a wonderful treat to see Hyde and Pimu. Have you noticed if they interact with each other much?

Diana

[luveagles]

Great Pictures Steff Pimu and Hyde are doing so well. I am sure you are very pleased with them both. Thank you for sharing.

[harpo516]

Thank you Steff! Hopefully Pimu will decide to hang out a bit more over near Hyde! Glad to see she's SLOWLY coming around...... Wonderful photos.

Hoping the juveniles are seeing the sites and hanging together - making new friends, having new experiences and learning new skills!

[Patti]

Wow, Steffani....it looks like you're really taking off with these guys. There is trust, isn't there? This is wonderful. The photos are terrific and glad your friend stopped by to catch you in action with your feathered companions. Thank you for the great story this week--and I, too, hope all the young eagles are safe on their journeys to the mainland.

Oh, and yes, Pimu is very beautiful!

[Cumbrian]

Super photographs Steff ... Thanks for sharing them.

Love the way that Pimu and Hyde are interacting ... well not really ... but they do appear to be interested in each other.

Great news on the training front too.

Hope that all the juveniles remain safe ... wherever they are.

[silveregal]

That was great Steff, can't wait to see them my nest trip to Catalina.

[Paula eaglet momster]

Steff - It must be so encouraging to be making such progress with Pimu - glad to hear it. She is a gorgeous bird!

I hope the juvies are safe and enjoying their adventure. Would you guess they are on the mainland?

[SoCal Lady]

Steffani, Terrific Update !

Yes Pimu is so beautiful and the photo of you feeding her is very touching. You can definitely see in the photo how gently and trustingly, she takes the food from your hand----just as you describe it ----as gently as a parent eagle feeds it's tiny chick.

Hyde sure seems to have settled right in and he seems to sense that he is in a very good place with you and .

Each week now I hope to hear that K77 and K76 are still there on Catalina and so far so good. Hopefully their fellow "classmates" are doing well, as they explore new areas----maybe some are as close as Santa Rosa or Santa Cruz.

Thank you , you a super duper Eagle hunter and reporter

[SoCal Lady]

QUESTION - STEFFANI,

What can you tell us about K64 abd K56----how old are they ----and have they stayed on Catalina since their hatching?

[Eagle Duo]

Great pictures, Steffani! So glad your friend shopped by to get those pictures of you with Pimu! It must be awesome to be able to work so close and develop such trust with such magnificent creatures!

[summer818]

Thanks Steff for the great updates on the eagles cruising the islands and those who have left. Pimu and Hyde are fabulous, absolutely gorgeous. It's neat to hear how gentle Pimu is with you while taking his food. I always love Wednesday's and your exciting updates.

[SheilaSB]

Thanks Steffani for the great photos your friend took of Hyde, Pimu and you - so great to see Pimu is over her jealousy and is realizing she too will get attention if she does her training - Hyde is a very fast learner. Always appreciate your update on anything you can provide us about any of the eagles.