Summer heat is impacting the Channel Islands and island foxes just as much as the mainland.
High temperatures and low rainfall increase the challenge for island foxes to find food. Just like with people, high temperatures put greater stress on the young and the old.
Island fox numbers are good across the islands (See the Island Fox Update 2018), but fox biologists warn that 2018 may be a harder year for island foxes.
Thank you to Michael Lawshe for this great photo of an island fox searching in the dry grass.
The opportunity to visit Channel Island foxes in their natural environment is part of the success of saving island foxes from extinction. Friends of the Island Fox loves to highlight individual experiences. On Santa Cruz Island there are locations where you almost always see island foxes (Scorpion Campground and Prisoners Harbor). Guest writer Michael Lawshe has a different story from Santa Rosa Island.
Island Journal: Santa Rosa Island, June 16, 2018
We took an 8 am boat out of Ventura, with Island Packers, directly to Santa Rosa Island. The sky was overcast and the sea was remarkably flat. We crossed the channel, passing Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands to...
Taking a hike, we noticed dozens of great little caves and crevices in the hillsides.
Perfect for a fox!
Sometimes you see a fox, sometimes you see where they have been!
Here is a path to a secluded fox resting place.
Do you see the little footprints in the sand?
They're a little bigger across than the size of a quarter.
We didn't see the island fox, but we are pretty sure they were watching us. It was a great day. - Michael Lawshe
More on:
reading island fox tracks
seeing island foxes
Experiencing Santa Rosa Island
A Day with Biologists On Santa Rosa
If you have seen the Island Fox San Miguel Island 2006 Release video, you have heard the original music of David Lynch.
David’s guitar solos add heart and bounce to the video. One of the themes used in the video has currently climbed to #8 of 2,480 on the Neil Young website for original music. You can help David climb even higher in the ranking by placing your vote for the song "Mahatma"at: neilyoung.com
Complete versions of David Lynch’s music can be found on his CD “Dozen” available through his website.
David Lynch
The video was also edited by island fox friend Michael Lawshe. Michael is nominated for a Golden Reel Award this Saturday, February 23 for his work as Sound Supervisor on Smallville. Check out his blog at Soundzgood.info
CLICK the picture to watch the video.
The photo at the top, was taken by Peter Pendergest.
Without help from friends like David, Michael and Peter we wouldn’t have a video of the island foxes to show the public or photos to post on our website. Friends of the Island Fox thanks them for their support of island fox conservation and appreciates their efforts to get involved in helping to save the island fox.
