OF THE FIVE CHANNEL ISLANDS, ONLY SANTA CRUZ was on the menu for today. And since the Island Packers ferry sails at 9AM, we spent last night in Ventura rather than make the two-hour drive this morning. We really lucked out — not only was it a Chamber of Commerce day, we spent our time on the boat with new friends Dan and Derek, out for a father/son outing.
Oun new buddy, Derek
We had been to the Channel Islands several years ago, on a windy, foggy day which made us appreciate the calm seas even more. Somehow we missed seeing the endemic Island Scrub Jay on our previous trip to Santa Cruz Island and Connie had a few more birds on her “wannasee” list for this time.
Channel Island Scrub Jay, Santa Cruz, Channel Islands NP
We spotted the scrub jay almost immediately, several of them actually, and they posed calmly for photos. The endemic island foxes, miniature versions of the mainland species were also cooperative as they pleaded for handouts.
Black-vented shearwater Channel Island fox
Photographing birds from the ferry is much more difficult. Shearwaters zip by just over the waves and are usually out of range before I can get the lens on them. Things worked better with Derek's young eyes spotting for us — he may even become a birder. We had better luck with the pods of dolphins who followed us, jumping and surfing in our wake. And there was one resident female Stellar’s sea lion who posed centerfold-like on a buoy.
This month's centerfold
