Famous bald eagle lands in the Basin
Photo courtesy Jack NollerBald eagle A-46, front, which was photographed by Jack Noller at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on Christmas Day, has since been identified at Stephen Jr., who has been featured regularly on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.”
Stephen Jr. is named for comedian Stephen Colbert
By LEE JUILLERATH&N Regional Editor
Friday, December 26, 2008 11:25 PM PST
Jack Noller never considered himself a celebrity-seeking paparazzo.He is now.Noller was photographing bald eagles at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge the day before Christmas when he spotted an immature eagle with a tag and a radio. After taking several images, he e-mailed them to Charlotte Ann Kisling of Dorris, a well-known birder.Kisling did some investigating and learned A-46 is actually Stephen Jr., who she calls the world’s most famous bald eagle.“I’ve been waiting 2 1/2 years to see this eagle,” said Kisling, who did just that Christmas Day. “I just knew eventually it would show up here.”From CaliforniaStephen Jr. is named after Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central television’s “The Colbert Report.” He was hatched April 17, 2006, from an egg found on Santa Cruz Island, one of Southern California’s Channel Islands, at the San Francisco Zoo as part of the its California Bald Eagle breeding program. It was released on the island June 8, 2006, after being equipped with a blue tag and GPS unit. Since then, Colbert has regularly reported on Stephen Jr. during his mock newscasts.“I watch the Stephen Colbert show regularly,” Kisling said.GPS trackingThe GPS unit tracked Stephen Jr. on his seasonal travels from California through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia and back south. Based on that tracking information, which is available on the Internet, it appears Stephen Jr. might have previously visited the Klamath Basin.The sightings and photographs have stirred interest in the bird-watching world. Noller has been contacted about using his photos at various Web sites. Kisling wonders if Colbert might do an update on his television show.“I am sure that Stephen Sr. will be happy that his ‘baby’ is back in California, but just barely. It was seen flying off with prey remains when I last saw it,” she said of seeing A-46 on Christmas Day.Looking goodThe eagle has been seen at the exit of the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge along Stateline Road.“He is looking very good,” said Dr. Peter Sharpe of the Institute for Wildlife Studies in Avalon, Calif., which has been tracking the eagle’s movements, in an e-mail to Kisling after seeing some of Noller’s photographs.“It was my Christmas present to see it,” Kisling said of seeing Stephen Jr. on Christmas Day. “Now that I know who it is, I’m excited.”
Photo courtesy Jack NollerBald eagle A-46, front, which was photographed by Jack Noller at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on Christmas Day, has since been identified at Stephen Jr., who has been featured regularly on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.”
Stephen Jr. is named for comedian Stephen Colbert
By LEE JUILLERATH&N Regional Editor
Friday, December 26, 2008 11:25 PM PST
Jack Noller never considered himself a celebrity-seeking paparazzo.He is now.Noller was photographing bald eagles at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge the day before Christmas when he spotted an immature eagle with a tag and a radio. After taking several images, he e-mailed them to Charlotte Ann Kisling of Dorris, a well-known birder.Kisling did some investigating and learned A-46 is actually Stephen Jr., who she calls the world’s most famous bald eagle.“I’ve been waiting 2 1/2 years to see this eagle,” said Kisling, who did just that Christmas Day. “I just knew eventually it would show up here.”From CaliforniaStephen Jr. is named after Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central television’s “The Colbert Report.” He was hatched April 17, 2006, from an egg found on Santa Cruz Island, one of Southern California’s Channel Islands, at the San Francisco Zoo as part of the its California Bald Eagle breeding program. It was released on the island June 8, 2006, after being equipped with a blue tag and GPS unit. Since then, Colbert has regularly reported on Stephen Jr. during his mock newscasts.“I watch the Stephen Colbert show regularly,” Kisling said.GPS trackingThe GPS unit tracked Stephen Jr. on his seasonal travels from California through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia and back south. Based on that tracking information, which is available on the Internet, it appears Stephen Jr. might have previously visited the Klamath Basin.The sightings and photographs have stirred interest in the bird-watching world. Noller has been contacted about using his photos at various Web sites. Kisling wonders if Colbert might do an update on his television show.“I am sure that Stephen Sr. will be happy that his ‘baby’ is back in California, but just barely. It was seen flying off with prey remains when I last saw it,” she said of seeing A-46 on Christmas Day.Looking goodThe eagle has been seen at the exit of the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge along Stateline Road.“He is looking very good,” said Dr. Peter Sharpe of the Institute for Wildlife Studies in Avalon, Calif., which has been tracking the eagle’s movements, in an e-mail to Kisling after seeing some of Noller’s photographs.“It was my Christmas present to see it,” Kisling said of seeing Stephen Jr. on Christmas Day. “Now that I know who it is, I’m excited.”
See the following link for a clip from the Colbert Report http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/215470/january-12-2009/stephen-jr--on-christmas-eve#Scene_1
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