Catalina update, October 17, 2007

Hey everyone,
To those of you who expect an early Wednesday update, my apologies but I had a long day of radio tracking and it took me a while to label and load up all the photos. Today I went looking for K-64 in the Empire Landing area who was last seen in middle canyon a couple of weeks ago. Last week everybody sort of ‘moved’ to the west end for a few days and eventually migrated back to the reservoir, except for K-64. Since he has been spending a lot of time in the Empire area I wanted to walk into the bird to make sure he was ok. After several hours I spotted a juvenile flying really up high and I wanted to assume it was him but I had picked up K-77’s signal earlier in the day so I had to follow it to make sure it was 64. Fortunately I didn’t have to chase him very far ‘cause all of the sudden another eagle started getting mobbed by ravens on the other side of the canyon so that settled it. I couldn’t take any pictures, by the time I got the camera out of the pack they were gone.
Things with Hyde are going very well. He eats most of his food while he’s on the glove and hardly ever bates.
With Pimu… not so much. She’s lost complete interest in the treats I offer to her, for a while she lost interest in food al together. Now she’s back to eating her usual bluegill (and the occasional rat) but she doesn’t want to eat off my hands anymore. We’ll see if she changes her mind again next week.

She greats me when I arrive and when I speak to her but she won’t come down.

I’m trying to meet your expectation as far as the updates go so since I don’t have any pictures of the eagles this week I figured I’d show you some pictures of the rest of the Channel Islands. Pete and I went on a 4-hour plane ride over the northern and southern islands a few weeks ago and it was all beautiful.
I had about 215 pictures to choose from but I’m only posting images of the places I remember the names of. We circled all the islands so I might have confused some of the names of the places so if someone knows for sure the name doesn’t match the area please correct me.
I’m going to show you images of Santa Cruz this time and I’ll leave the rest of ‘air tour’ for next week.
We took off from Catalina, which was awfully cloudy

Then we headed north towards Santa Cruz. We started on the southeast part of the island.

We saw some amazing sandy beaches but I didn’t see too many roads or trails that would take you there so they are beautiful but very remote.

Here’s the landing strip on the east side of the island. This airport looks very challenging.

Here’s some more of the southern coast by what they call Indian Territory.

An impressive drop off

This is the Navy Radar Station, which is where the IWS crew lives at.

A closer look

Cont…

It was a little foggy in the interior

This area that looks like a half moon is where the grassland nest was located at this year.

Pete mentioned it was on that grassy patch on the right of the picture near the coast

This is Fraser Point, the west end of Cruz

This is the Pelican Bay area; where Cruz and Limuw grew up.

We got a little closer, notice the solar panels

Another view

Another look of the nest area. I know the direction of the nest from the solar panel but I forget on what tree the nest is actually on, so all of you take out a magnifying glass and start searching.

And finally Scorpion Bay

Scorpion camping ground.

I hope you enjoyed the tour,
Until next week
Steff

Steff, you are adorable! Thank you for taking the time to give us a tour of SC Island from the air. The pictures are amazing. Most of the island is so remote. It makes for a perfect home for bald eagles. Can you imagine the day when there are eagles all over the island? I can!!!
Thanks again. Loved it.
Sorry to hear of Pimu's regression. Do you think it is a temporary slump because of her new roomate?

Wonderful pictures, Steff! You do an amazing job of letting us see what you do. I love all the pictures and descriptions! Sorry to hear Pimu is taking a step back in her training. At least she didn't stop eating for too long. Hopefully, she'll get over whatever is bothering her and let you get back to training with her. Thanks again for all you do!

Great pictures Steff. It certainly is a different perspective from the air. Couldn't find the nest but did see it from the boat so that's OK. Keep up the good work with Pimu. Hope her attitude improves quickly.

Great tour and photos, Steff! That cliff dropoff...yikes.

I know parrots can be extremely jeaous of new birds, attention, etc., and wonder if the same is true of Pimu, since she lives between the world of eagles and man? I'm glad she's eating again. One of my cockatoos is so jealous of my African grey that she screams loudly at me 75% of the time I go to the grey's cage, which isn't healthy or fair to the grey. On the other hand, the grey and myself are the only two creatures that the jealous cockatoo tells (us) she loves--in spite of appropriately knowing some other bird's names. Eagles can't talk, but you have to wonder what they feel. Pimu could be down in the dumps, as we humans say.

she kinda looks sad here doesnt she, poor thing.


HEY Steff, you always surpass our expecations, in fact its usually 110%! THANK YOU.

Steff - Great Photos. The aerial shots sure give us a great perspective of the island which is so beautiful and untouched. Hope that Pimu comes around and is more receptive to her training. Thanks for your report.

Thank you Steffani for a wonderful and different view of SC! Your photos are super - the water (sigh) and the landscape! Super, super! Talk about a bird with attitude - Pimu is just too much Well, isn't it always a couple steps forward and then one back - she'll come around! Again, thank you so much for taking us with you - I know it's time consuming to put this together but we truly appreciate. (sorry though that those eagles don't line up in one place so you can take a quick head count and be on your way )

Steffani - Your updates are always wonderful and appreciated - thanks for all the hard work you doing for the eagles - I like the way you surprise us with something different each week - enjoyed the air views of SC - Hope Pimu comes around soon again but glad to hear she is eating - Hyde doesn't seem bothered by her but I guess she is by him - but then she may not have reacted any differently if he were not there.

THANK YOU STEFF!

The pictures are great and it was so nice to see SC from the air. Hope Pimu comes around soon.

Sammy

she kinda looks sad here doesnt she, poor thing.


HEY Steff, you always surpass our expecations, in fact its usually 110%! THANK YOU.

I thought so too!! My boston terrier has that little pout going on too... it is so cute.

Sorry to read that Pimu is feeling a bit sad, hope she perks up soon. At least she is acknowledging your presence, Steffani.

I really enjoyed looking at all the details in your island photos. This gives us a bird's-eye view from an eagle's perspective. Thanks so much, Steff!

Terrific photos of SantaCruz---I had no idea it is so barren----there is much more vegeation on Catalina-----probably because the weather is harsher up there in that part Channel Islands.

Your Updates are always so intersting Steff----- Thank you!

Steffani, as always, I look forward to your posts.....you go way beyond the call of duty and spoil us with your descriptions of your journeys around the islands, and all of the wonderful photos you post. No one can top you.....

I do find it interesting how Pimu is affected by the presence of a new Eagle, and by the attention being given to Hyde. I'm hoping that this is an indication of how much your attention matters to her.

Sad or not, Pimu is one beautiful female Bald Eagle....~Sigh~ I think we are extremely fortunate to have both Pimu and Hyde to act as ambassadors for the IWS. Hopefully her feelings will settle down and she will be back on track with her training.....

Once again, Thank You Steffani for all that You Do!!! We are sooooo fortunate to have you with us......