[CINC] 5/22-23 ESCI Trip Report...

[Joel E. Justin]

All,

 

First the facts:

 

No marine mammal sightings

4 hikes, 5 foxes

 

I was fortunate to spend Friday and Saturday on ESCI. The weather was PERFECT - overcast in the morning burning off by 11ish each day. The temps were ideal for hiking as well - mid-60's with a slight breeze to keep you from getting too hot. The fog burned off in time for the morning hike visitors to enjoy wonderful views from Cavern Point.

 

Island foxes are becoming more abundant. We saw foxes on all 4 of my hikes! Fortunately, I was able to work with them throughout the weekend to improve their timing (haha). Here's what I mean.

 

On the two hikes on Friday, they appeared in the campground in the middle of my talk on "Return of the Natives". On Saturday morning's hike, we had just begun walking up the canyon towards stop 3 (the fox stop) when one came down out of the canyon to everyone's delight.

 

Finally, for my Saturday afternoon hike, we worked it out and they got it perfect. I was standing by the diatomaceous earth with the visitors looking at me while I was talking about why the foxes were smaller and how they got to the islands when behind me, a fox began wandering down the canyon. I took the opportunity to pause and ask everyone to turn around and look at the star of the talk. Everyone shouted with glee as the cameras came out and lots of flash memory bits were used.

 

If you're leading a hike in the near future, hopefully they won't have forgotten what we worked out this weekend and provide you with the same perfect timing!

 

Joel...

 

 
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