Catalina On Sue's Birthday 2014

Did You Know? - The Catalina Island Conservancy (CIC) is a nonprofit organization established to protect and restore Santa Catalina Island, California. CIC was established in 1972 through the efforts of the Wrigley and Offield families.

The Conservancy was created when both families deeded 42,135 acres (170.51 km2) of the island over to the organization—nearly 90% of the Island.

Founded in 1972, the Conservancy is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California The stated goal of the Conservancy is to "be a responsible steward of our lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation."

Did You Know? - The introduction of distemper, probably by a raccoon stowing away on one of the boats that come to the Island, nearly wiped out the Catalina Island fox. Their numbers dropped to about 100 in 1999. The Conservancy's biologists vaccinated the remaining fox population against distemper.

Did You Know? - Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae.

Did You Know? - The Conservancy is also actively managing a herd of bison on the Island with a novel contraceptive program that is attracting the attention of wild animal managers on the mainland.

The bison were first brought to the Island in 1924 for a movie that was never made. Over the years, they became an iconic symbol of the Island's culture. But with no natural predators, the herd grew to as many as 500.

The Conservancy had previously conducted studies that found the Island could support only about 150 to 200 bison. To control the herd's size, the Conservancy had been periodically conducting roundups and shipping bison to the mainland.

Shipping the bison to the mainland was costly, and it raised concerns about the stress on the animals during shipment and the expansion of the herd beyond ecologically sustainable numbers between shipments.

Beginning in 2009, the Conservancy's scientists injected the female bison with porcine zona pellucida (PZP), a contraceptive that had been used for fertility control in zoos, wild horses and white tail deer.

In addition to substantially reducing the number of new calves, the PZP had no apparent effect on pregnant females or their offspring. A peer-reviewed study published in 2013 reported that the contraceptive program was effective in controlling the herd.

Previously, more than two-thirds of the cows delivered calves every year. After receiving the contraceptive, the calving rate dropped to 10.4% in the first year and 3.3% the following year.

Did You Know? - The American bison and the European wisent are the largest terrestrial animals in North America and Europe. Bison are good swimmers and can cross rivers over half a mile (1 km) wide.

Bison are nomadic grazers and travel in herds. The bulls leave the herds of females at two or three years of age, and join a male herd which is generally smaller than the female herds.

Mature bulls rarely travel alone. Towards the end of the summer, for the reproductive season, the sexes necessarily commingle.

American bison are known for living in the Great Plains. Both species were hunted close to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, but have since rebounded. The American plains bison is no longer listed as endangered, but the wood bison is on the endangered species list in Canada.

Did You Know? - The bison's temperament is often unpredictable. They usually appear peaceful, unconcerned, even lazy, yet they may attack anything, often without warning or apparent reason. They can move at speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h) and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop.

Did You Know? - Their most obvious weapons are the horns borne by both males and females, but their massive heads can be used as battering rams, effectively using the momentum produced by 2,000 pounds (900 kg) moving at 30 mph (50 km/h).

The hind legs can also be used to kill or maim with devastating effect. At the time bison ran wild, they were rated second only to the Alaska brown bear as a potential killer, more dangerous than the grizzly bear. In the words of early naturalists, they were a dangerous, savage animal that feared no other animal and in prime condition could best any foe (except for wolves and brown bears.

Did You Know? - The rutting, or mating, season lasts from June through September, with peak activity in July and August. At this time, the older bulls rejoin the herd, and fights often take place between bulls. The herd exhibits much restlessness during breeding season. The animals are belligerent, unpredictable and most dangerous.

Did You Know? - The Institute for Wildlife Studies, a separate conservation organization, has worked to restore bald eagles to the island on Conservancy land since the late 1970s.

Bald eagles had been common on the island until the 1960s, when it is believed that the effects of dumping the pesticide DDT off the coast of Southern California made it impossible for eagles to successfully hatch their young.

The reintroduction of the bald eagle to the island may also edge out an invasive golden eagle population that threatens the native Island Fox.

Did You Know? - Back when Catalina Island's interior was a cattle ranch, this was the heart and soul of that ranch. The fields in front of the barns were used to grow hay for the livestock that lived on the island, and this is where the horses were kept to work the cattle. This area is now a working headquarters for The Catalina Island Conservancy. They have a native plant nursery, and that is where I was when I painted this painting.

Did You Know? - Ben Weston Beach is accessed primarily by boat because it is a 14 mile strenuous hike from the nearest town (Avalon) on Catalina Island.

Named for an army officer that was assigned here during WWII. In fact at the top prior to the hike down to the beach, there is an old WWII Gun Bunker where they watched for enemy craft off the coast.

From this spot to the bottom it takes about an hour and half hike down to Ben Weston beach where you will see a palm leaf hatch for shade and one of the only spots on the island for surfing.

At Ben Weston Beach there are some small dunes that support an excellent example of the dune flora of the island.

Did You Know? - Rated "One of the Best Campgrounds in the West" by Sunset Magazine, Little Harbor Campground is perfect for campers who enjoy playing on the beach or in the water. Located about seven miles east of Two Harbors and 16 miles from Avalon, Little Harbor is a sandy, beachfront campground with lots of opportunities for recreation. This beautiful campground is the only one on the remote "backside" of Catalina.

Did You Know? - A herd of American Bison roam, supposedly first imported to California's Catalina Island in 1924 for the silent film version of Zane Grey's Western tale, The Vanishing American. However, the 1925 version of "The Vanishing American" does not contain any bison whatsoever and shows no terrain that even remotely resembles Catalina