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Catalina Update; Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Topic Started: Dec 9 2009, 07:37 AM (1,086 Views)
eaglegal
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Hi everybody,

This week we have been working non-stop on getting the cameras up and ready for next season. We have worked mostly on the Two Harbors and West End cameras.

We have also checked on and retrieved some of the equipment from the Rattlesnake camera tower; we don’t know where these birds will breed nest year but the camera is still at the old oak tree from 2008. We also checked on the Middle Ranch camera. At first it wasn’t working at all because something has been chewing on our cables and had split it in several places. It is a pretty nice camera with easy access off the road, so we hope the birds decide to come back to this area and finally breed. We have observed the MR eagles perched on the poles by the KBRT ranch but lately we have spotted them revisiting their old reservoir. On Monday, I found the male, K93, perched on one of the poles of Pimu’s enclosure. As soon as I arrived it flew off towards the reservoir so I followed him. Once I got there I realized that the female, A32, was also around, perched on the pine trees. Hopefully they decide to stay and use one of their two nests in this area.

On Friday we worked on the TH cam. We are racing against time finishing up and quickly packing up so we don’t have to hike in the dark.
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We left just a few minutes before sunset, a little later than we wanted but it sure made it for a nice sunset photo!
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I went out to the southern part of the island looking for new eagles/pairs but I was unsuccessful. The whole time I was out I did not see an eagle. It was a bummer but again, I enjoyed the great views of Salta Verde, the Palisades and Silver Canyon.
The Palisades and the Pinnacle Rock territory all the way to the back of the image. Posted Image

A different view of Salta Verde and the end of Silver Canyon
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It’s too bad you cant really tell distance here and be able to appreciate the steepness of the terrain but this was part of my hike back to the truck.
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I love this rock!
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On Friday, we returned to the TH nest and not only to set the audio and finish up the job but we ended up having to replace the new camera that had a weird problem. It’s all good now and you should already be able to watch (and listen to) what goes on at night at the nest. I particularly enjoy listening to the insects that come alive in the dark.
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Pete placing the infrared light so we can watch nocturnal movements. He also did a pretty good job building and placing that beautiful perch that sits above the camera. Hopefully the birds like it too.
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This is what the birds will be looking at. I sat on the nest to take this picture.
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Cont...
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eaglegal
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On Saturday, Pete went out to the West End nest and hiked out a lot of equipment including 1000ft of Siamese cable, one that has power and video cables running in the same line but separately at the same time. On Sunday, he and I returned to the nest to begin the cam set up. It took us a long time to set it up but we were quite pleased with the results.
I’m standing on the nest looking down to the area where we normal bring the chicks to be banded.
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Here’s the camera and another beautiful perch. Notice the tower at the top of the hill where the old camera sits. This is where 3 separate lines of cables are coming down to the nest cam; sounds easy but it took us hours to do.
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The view of the camera
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In order to stabilize the pole, Pete had to hike out 60lb. of cement and lots of water along with other tools so we can cement down the pole onto the rock. That pole is not going anywhere!
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Again, we hiked out a little later than planned but never too late to stop and appreciate a beautiful sunset… here are a few pictures.
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My favorite…
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Until next week,

Steffani
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harpo516
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breathtaking susnet shots ......as long as you got safely back to the truck and on your way home! :lol:

The pictures sure help us to "visualize" the cams and certainly help us to appreciate all you are doing to get them ready for another nesting season! I personally am really looking forward to the night time observation capability! I may never sleep again! :)

Please be careful as both of you B-)) :<S><: go about these many difficult tasks and know that we all truly appreciate what you do and we're glad to what we can to help support the IWS effort to help the eagles!

We're all hoping for a very successful nesting season for the eagles throughout the Channel Islands! :X:
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SoCal Lady
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<3 :}^ STEFFANI --- All of your Photos are gorgeous. Really appreciate the close ups of all the equipment set up, etc. too. You and B-)) are surely in the best physical condition--to do what you do. Many of us were concerned about you two when you were out at WE so late on Sunday. That hike back to the truck is quite treacherous.

We are watching you two again, at WE right now as you labor to get the work done. Glad you are there earlier in the day this time.

Thank you for all of your dedication B-)) and you.!! You are a determined duo :)^
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adklaurie
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Steffani, Great Job!!! Being a sunset lover - a totally appreciate and love your sunset pictures A+ You and Peter are doing a fantastic job. :o oh no a night cam . . . How am I ever going to be able to sleep :blink: rofl I love the idea of the night cam.

Thanks again for all you and all the IWS crew do. You all rock!!!
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Eagle Duo
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WOW! I kept saying that over and over as I read your update. WOW! It is really amazing & interesting to hear what it takes, both equipment and labor-wise, to put cameras on the nests! We can't begin to thank you enough for all you both do!
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Lauri
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Dear Steffani,

If the biology stuff doesn't work out, but you can have another career in sunset-shots. Beautiful pictures.

And fascinating to see how you got it all set up so we'll have good shots this coming spring.

Hope the pouring rain (and the next batch coming in) causes no problems. No eagles but a very cool update. Thanks, as ever.

/aurli
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summer818
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Steffani, what a wild hike. Thank you and Peter for all you do so that we can watch the eagles!!!! I love the nightvision, it's incredible. Can't wait to see what goes on when the chicks hatch. Wow!
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ojailala
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Stafani, you said it looks easy, but it really doesn't look easy.. none of it does.. it looks very difficult and I am so proud of you guys and the stuff you throw on your back ... like a mule.. to get equipment to the nest sites... and your hike back to the truck did look steep and difficult.... once again, great job, great pictures and we thank you so much for sharing... <3
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bette
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Steffani :<S><: and Dr Sharpe B-)) -

The pictures in this post show us the tremendous amount of work you do on a regular basis for the eagles and for us eagleholics. Lugging 60# of cement and the water to mix/set it, plus all the rest of the equipment, and everything else, stringing all that cable - all in that extreme terrain - shows us your dedication to your goals.

We have all watched you the past few days, and were in awe of your "adventures."
I love how you take the time to stop and smell the sunsets.
A true appreciation of the unique beauty that surrounds you.
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lovethebabies
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Thanks Steffani. Great update and amazing pictures! What a beautiful sunset you captured. Have a safe week!
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iggle
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How fascinating, Steffani! I loved seeing all the new camera setups you & Dr. S. have been installing. Lugging cable & concrete up those canyons cannot be easy. I can't wait to try out the new night cam at TH. Poor eagles will never have any privacy now! rofl

Hope those lovely new perches keep our mischievous eaglets off the cams next season! Thanks for all your hard work, the impressive update and some beautiful sunset shots too...
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davetheagle
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nice. i hope after all your guy's efforts they do come back, otherwise what a bummer. i hope u r pan in on some extreem close ups like the hancock wildlife foundation has. their views are fantastic. the only one that has really interested me in here is the k10 and k26 cam....the rest are just ok. anyway...also great photos. keep up the good work
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Patti
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Steffani---Wow...an amazing Update. (I'm catching up from a few busy weeks.)

Amazing ROCKS!

Thank you so much for the cam infomation. Very excited about the 2010 breeding season.
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