Hello all,
Below is a message written by Dr. Eric Johnson, retired Ornithology Professor, Cal Poly, SLO, in memory of recently deceased Brian Walton, Director of the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group.
Brian had a strong attachment and love for the Hi Mountain and Huff’s Hole area. Brian found and reported nesting peregrine falcons at Huff’s Hole in the early 1970’s, at a time when the species was very endangered and extremely rare throughout it’s range in the West. For several years a nest watch was set up by the Forest Service to protect and monitor this peregrine site, and I was hired as one of the full-time nest guards at Huff’s Hole in 1978, my first introduction to the Hi Mountain-Huff’s Hole area.
Continue reading ‘In memory of Brian Walton’
Hello all, Today, 6/2, I taught a course through Cuesta College Community Programs entitled ‘Condor Country”. The classroom meeting and Hi Mtn. Project powerpoint slide talk was attended by 12 enrolled participants, followed by a van field trip to Hi Mtn. Lookout. One couple was celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary today, and the husband had no idea what was going on until walking into the classroom with his wife, who made all the registration arrangements in advance but kept it a surprise. Another highlight was meeting and talking with 81 year-old James Barlow and his wife Pat. James worked one season for the Forest Service in 1954, on patrol duty in Lopez Canyon (before there was a dam and lake there!) and along the Arroyo Grande to Pozo road route. It has been more than 50 years since he last visited Hi Mtn Lookout! He remembers the old wooden structure that predated the existing metal tower.
Continue reading ‘Field trip to Hi Mountain’
