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September 13 - Wednesday Update
Topic Started: Sep 13 2006, 10:49 PM (1,463 Views)
IWS Crew
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Hey All,

Another busy week here on the island. At least the temperature has started to drop a bit and it's starting to feel a bit more like fall.

A-49 spent another week on the west end of the island, spending most of her time on 'Christy Beach'. This is one of the largest, sandiest beaches on the island and has always been a very popular spot for our birds. From there it's only a 6 mile flight to Santa Rosa island, so the birds seem to use it as a stopover as they work up the nerve to make the crossing to Rosa. So far this year several of the new releases have paid short visits to Santa Rosa (and even San Miguel), although most of them have returned to Santa Cruz.

I was out at Christy today looking for eagles and was able to see at least 4 new releases (A-56, A-57, A-60 and possibly A-49), as well as a couple older birds (A-02 and A-35). I wasn't able to get a good look at all the tag #s, but based on the radio telemetry signals, A-49 was in my view several times. The birds seemed to be content with flying up and down the beach, probably looking to see if anything new to eat had washed up since they last flew by. A-60 seems to have finally cut his ties with the grassland nest and is now spending most of his time with other birds closer to his own age (mom and dad must have been boring him).

We received a call here last week about one of our birds being spotted on Pine Flat Lake, near Fresno. Apparently A-27 (2004 release) has been hanging out there for the last few weeks, spending time with other eagles and catching fish on the lake. This bird dropped it's GPS transmitter last winter on Santa Rosa island, so it was good to get the news that she is doing fine and is still in California.

Anyhow, that's all I have for now. Here are a few pictures we managed to get over the week.

Dave

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A-57 on Christy Beach – taken with one of our trail cameras.

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A-49 Feeding on some fish that Chris put out for the youngsters.

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A-02 cruising the North Shore – Chris took this picture.

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A-02 taking a close look at Chris.

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A-60 flying above Christy beach earlier today.
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Bea
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Oh Dave, absolutely beautiful update!!!! Thank you so much. Awesome pictures of Cruz and the other Eagles and so good to hear that A-60 is finally independent!
Great great update! Thanks IWS team, you are the best!!!!
Excellent pictures Chris!


Edit: Isn't A-49 the most beautiful eagle? Just look at the colors in her feathers. BEAUTIFUL Picture!!!

Edit again: Wonderful to hear about the eagle in Fresno also. Seems to have made friends there. Cool!
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peppermint
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Thanks, Dave! Beautiful shot of A-49 showing the different colors of her feathers...that's something I've not seen before....she's gorgeous! Love seeing
A-60 out and about, too. I sure hope Cruz holds onto her GPS unit longer than some of the other babes have so that we can keep an eye on her.

I love the photos that those automatic cameras pick up...such great closeup shots!
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harpo516
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Just awesome to get updates and continuing information!! To know she's moving forward and doing so well - what a comfort! Great job IWS! You guys "rock"!!!
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MaMiMoBa Mom
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Dave, Chris, and IWS Crew,
Thank you so very much for the update. I just love the photographs! The up close shots are magnificent. I also love to see the eagles soaring through the sky.

I do, as usual, have a question...Dave mentioned that Santa Rosa is about a 6 mi. flight from this shoreline. Are these newly released and fledged eagles strong enough to now attempt a flight of that distance? Also curious as to how long it takes for an eagle to fly the distance of about 6 miles. When eagles make this type of a flight, do they usually go in groups, solo, or there's no recorded data to answer that? Do you all also travel to Santa Rosa to monitor eagles at that location?

Okay I'll stop now... I could go on and on and on...
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Naturegal
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Thank you Dave and IWS crew for all the news and the fabulous photos of the eaglets.

The picture of our little Cruz is so amazing that I am now using it as the background for my screen. She is so beautiful, you captured the moment.

Thanks again.
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CarolAnn
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My eyes just welled up with tears (kinda took me by surprise) when I saw that beautiful photo of A-49 Cruz ~ tears of absolute joy! She is so beautiful and it's so good to see and hear that she is doing so well.

Dave, Chris, all of the IWS Crew - thank you so very much! I love ALL the photos and your stories (like A-60 maybe getting bored with the parents <_< :) ).

As you can tell, these updates mean so much to all of us! Thanks again to all of you!!
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Troth
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Another wonderful report. Thanks Dave. I wish I had a camera that could get shots like you do. What a beautiful bird our girl is getting to be. She should have no problem attracting a mate, just the opposite, she will probably have to fight them off and knowing her, she will do just that until she finds the perfect guy. I love her, she is gorgeous.
I also like hearing about the other eagles out there on the island. Very interesting that they learn to island hop, what a paradise they have to explore. I wish I was an eagle on the Channel Islands.
Again, thanks for doing such a wonderful job. :wub:
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Hulabird
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Thank you so much Dave and Chris. I just cracked up when I saw Cruz standing on BOTH fish daring anyone else to try to take them from her. She is such a beautiful bird.
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Nancy
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Thank you so much Dave and Chris for the wonderful photos. You gotta love it...those closeups are terrific. A-49 is such a beautiful bird and should have no trouble attracting a guy with those highlights in her feathers ;)
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Cumbrian
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Dave and Chris...Thank you so much for another wonderful update and photographs.

I too, was overwhelmed, when I first saw the photograph of our beautiful girl. She is so magnificent and her colouring is just wonderful....and Thank You Chris .... for putting out our girl's favourite food! See she found that fish ..no problem! :D

Glad to hear that A-60 has 'clipped the feather strings' of his parents and is now socializing with his peers.

I love hearing about all the eagles and their travels.Please keep the updates coming we really enjoy them.....Thanks again.
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Hulabird
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Good morning again IWS Crew (Dave and Chris). I see you're here in the nest with us right now. I wanted to ask if that bird in the background behind A-57 in the first pic is an eagle? Looks big enough to be but looks like a juvenile and I don't see any wingblings.
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Patti
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Thank you so much, Dave and Chris, for another wonderful update.

A-49 is so beautiful. I get so emotional at the sight of her.

The weekly news is terrific. All is well and we're happy for your observations and FISH you put out for our girl. Your updates are as appreciated as getting the phone call from a beloved family member. Who would have ever imagined this? It's an awesome thing--what this restoration project has created.
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Bird
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Thank you once again for the terrific update. I, too, was quite impressed with how beautiful Cruz is. Her feather colors are quite striking. I hope she sticks around Santa Cruz for awhile; I worry about her crossing the water. I love the close-up shots -- what a fierce look A-57 has. I also like getting the updates about the other eagles and was glad to read that A-60 is becoming more adventurous. I'm still hoping that A-61 will make a trip to Santa Cruz so that we can get a sighting of him. (Is A-61 a male?)

Thank you!
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sandie
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AAWWWHHH!!! I am just thrilled to know A49 is as big and as healthy looking as she is. Must be because of those extra big fish she has her talons on. What kind of fish are those? They look pretty huge. If she eats all of that at one setting how long will a fish that size accomodate her for? Does she need all that at one time now? I know her hunting skills are not honed yet but what makes her begin to hunt. Doesn't it take away the need to do that if they are always provided for her?
What is a trail camera and how does it work?
Lord I am just so excited to see her again. I miss seeing her everyday and knowing she is thriving and doing well, I guess this is the next best thing. Your pictures are magnificent and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such good care of them and being as concerned as you obviously are. And for putting up with all our doubts and giving us such great updates. I hope you guys appreciate how ga ga we are over this unsuspecting Eagle.
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