Nature Hike: Two Harbors, Catalina Island - Plants, Birds, and Ecology

Ahoy, nature lovers! For this week's video, I sailed to Catalina Island and hit the trails to hike around Two Harbors. I describe the native and non-native plants, interesting rare birds, ecology and conservation of this island paradise. We also describe aspects of Island Biogeography and the evolutionary phenomenon of Island Gigantism. We landed at Isthmus Cove, were we tied up our sailboat, s.v. californica, on a mooring before rowing ashore. We explored the salt marsh at Catalina "Cat" Harbor, before hiking through the Island Chaparral at Forth of July Cove, to the Island Woodland at Cherry Cove. If you're looking for things to do on Catalina Islands, hiking around this area will not disappoint and hopefully this video will help open your eyes to the natural world around you.
Target species:
Catalina Island Liveforever (Dudleya virens ssp. hassei)
calscape.org/l...
St. Catherine's Lace (Eriogonum giganteum)
calscape.org/l...
Catalina Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii)
calscape.org/l...
Island Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi) www.islapedia....
Other Species mentioned:
Island buckwheat (Eriogonum grande var. grande)
calscape.org/l...
Coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis)
calscape.org/l...
Canary Island Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
www.cal-ipc.or...
Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta)
plantright.org...
Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum)
calscape.org/l...
Island scrub oak (Quercus pacifica)
calscape.org/l...
Catalina Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus)
calscape.org/l...
Catalina Island Conservancy's website (Hiking, Conservation, and tours): www.catalinaco...
Catalina Island Company website (Hotels, Dining, Mooring reservations, Adventures, Things to Do on Catalina Island):
www.visitcatal...
Follow us on Instagram!: @sv.californica
www.instagram.... #californianativeplants
#hiking #nature #catalinaisland #twoharbors #channelislands #sailing
California Native Plants:
Tree of life Nursery - www.california...
Calflora - www.calflora.org

[@ianhuntington2107]

I so enjoy your videos and gleaning from your unique education.

[@nolan420dilf]

Great and educational video!

[@svcalifornica]

Thank you for watching and for the feedback!

[@maxmollylr]

Nice job Mr. Alison!

[@svcalifornica]

Thank you, Milly!~

[@danasmith7171]

Very good work. Interesting.

[@ronridd]

Nice video, and great content. Keep it up, please!

[@svcalifornica]

Thank you, ronridd! Your comment means so much to us. It’s a lot of work, but a labor of love, so thank you for adding some feedback and motivation. Cheers

[@ldirk58601]

Loved seeing Catalina Island through your eyes. I watch a live feed of eagles on Catalina. We would often take a day cruise there from NB when I was a kid. I remember flying fish being very abundant and many landing on the boat and flying through the air. I wonder now if they are still there in large numbers. Thanks for this! I am enjoying your videos very much!

[@svcalifornica]

Thank you, Lynn. This means a lot to hear. We saw some Flying fish this weekend that flew above the water longer than I have ever seen before. I'm so glad you're enjoying the videos. I have many more to come.

[@bradleymiller3288]

Enjoyed the video. Reminds me of my Restoration Ecology days at UC Irvine! Brings back memories. Artemesia Californica and Eriogonum Fasciculatum! Look forward to following your adventures. Sail on!

[@cleanhabitats]

Hey, you're providing your fellow sailors some really great and appreciated organic info. Your extensive knowledge add a lot to the experience of sailing out to the islands.

[@svcalifornica]

Thank you, Steve! The idea to start this channel came from a conversation with James of Triteia when he helped deliver californica to her home port. He helped convinced me to start this for the exact purpose you described

[@cleanhabitats]

@@svcalifornica that's way cool. I had a Newport 27 that I kept at DP but now I charter boats through Marina Sailing. Will be out there next Mon - Wednesday at two harbors on a Catalina 34. Beautiful life

[@svcalifornica]

@@cleanhabitats That’s awesome! Hope to see you out there. Are you going to pick up a mooring or anchor?

[@helenbfoley]

This was so much fun! We’ve hiked around Two Harbors many times, now we’re looking forward to doing it again!
I suspect the prunus came to Catalina by birds- Catalina has never been connected to the mainland. (Much of California’s coastal mountains came from accretion of islands just like The Channel Islands as the Juan de Fuca plate was subducted.)

[@svcalifornica]

I totally agree. Thank you, Helen.

[@lactate8008s]

Any idea if there are any petitions to remove the bison / other destructive non-native grazing animals from catalina? I'd definitely be interested in signing / doing whatever I can to support that.