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been missing from their island habitat for over 50 years. The last known
eaglet offspring was in 1949 on neighboring Santa Rosa Island. Of those
60 releases just over 30 have remained, reclaiming their historic habitat
across the entire chain. Today they can be seen from a kayak conveniently
perched on steep cliffs or soaring over the ocean always in search of fish.
However, in one instance I observed them going for something larger
while I teetered in my kayak on a white-capped sea. Bald eagles are known
for scavenging on seal and sea lion carcasses. In this case two bald eagles
were creeping up on a sleepy northern elephant seal, about 3,000 pounds
worth on the backside of Santa Rosa Island. Just when the two raptors
were about to pounce on the massive pinniped the 15-foot-long behemoth
reared up, its hollow snout flopping over its head, sending the two bald
eagles into panicked flight heading aloft into the northwesterly winds.
As for me, I continued paddling in search of more such encounters,
assured in the knowledge that the Channel Islands are indeed “the
Galapagos Islands of the north.”
For guided kayaking trips contact:
Channel Islands Kayak Center
(805) 984-5995 • www.cikayak.com
Paddlesports
located in the Santa Barbara Harbor
(805) 899-4925 • www.kayaksb.com
Aquasports
in Santa Barbara
1-800-773-2309 • www.islandkayaking.com
Santa Barbara Adventure Company
(805) 884-WAVE • www.sbadventureco.com
For boat transportation
Island Packers
:
(805) 642-1393 • www.islanpackers.com