Channel Islands National Park, California

Beautiful Day at the Boat Docks in Ventura Harbor

Headed to board our boat to Santa Cruz Island, one of the five islands of Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA.

Island Packers Boat: Island Explorer

Boarding Island Explorer in Ventura Harbor. Destination: Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands, Ventura County, California, USA

Island Explorer Boarding Pass

The boarding pass issued by Island Packers for our journey to Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, in Ventura County, California, USA

Boat Landing at Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island

Boat Landing at Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA.

Rusted Farm Equipment Echoes Times Past

Old rusted farm equipment stands as a reminder of Santa Cruz Island's history. It was once a home to cattle, sheep and vineyards. All since removed to restore the island's natural, native habitat. Santa Cruz Island is part of Channel Islands National Park, located off the southern coast of California, USA.

Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island

Old rusted farm equipment stands at what was once Scorpion Ranch. The ranch's cattle, sheep and vineyards used to cover Santa Cruz Island. However, the island has since been incorporated into Channel Islands National Park, located off the southern coast of California, USA. Habitats are being restored, but the history is remembered.

Santa Cruz Island Information Kiosk

National Park Service information kiosk on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA

Santa Cruz Island Topographical Map

3D topographical map at the National Park Service information kiosk on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA

Blacksmith Shack at Scropion Ranch

Historic blacksmith shack at Scropion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA

Once a Busy Sheep Ranch

Information signage at the historic blacksmith shack of Scropion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA

Historic Buildings of Scorpion Ranch

Historic buildings of Scorpion Ranch on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located of the coast of California, USA. The main stone building houses the visitor center.

Rusted Farm Equipment at Scorpion Ranch

Old rusted farm equipment stands at what was once Scorpion Ranch. The ranch's cattle, sheep and vineyards used to cover Santa Cruz Island. However, the island has since been incorporated into Channel Islands National Park, located off the southern coast of California, USA. Habitats are being restored, but the history is remembered.

Trail Sign on Santa Cruz Island

Trail Sign on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located of the coast of California, USA

Buckwheat on Santa Cruz Island

Flowering buckwheat on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located of the coast of California, USA

Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA. This was a rare treat as I've never seen two of these Island Foxes together. They are about the size of a housecat, and only live on six of the eight Channel Islands located off the coast of southern California, and are found nowhere else on Earth. In the 1990s the planet almost lost theses treasures from the use of DDT and the encroachment of domestic stock, cows and sheep. By 2000 there were about 90 left across the island chain. Today after careful, dedicated conservation, I'm happy to report that the population has recovered. The Island Fox provides an instructive example of how a coordinated, organized and highly focused strategy was able to reverse the extinction of an endangered population. Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/island-fox.htm

Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA. This was a rare treat as I've never seen two of these Island Foxes together. They are about the size of a housecat, and only live on six of the eight Channel Islands located off the coast of southern California, and are found nowhere else on Earth. In the 1990s the planet almost lost theses treasures from the use of DDT and the encroachment of domestic stock, cows and sheep. By 2000 there were about 90 left across the island chain. Today after careful, dedicated conservation, I'm happy to report that the population has recovered. The Island Fox provides an instructive example of how a coordinated, organized and highly focused strategy was able to reverse the extinction of an endangered population. Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/island-fox.htm

Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA

Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA

Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA

Island Foxes

Island Fox. Documented on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, which lies off the coast of southern California, USA

Bee Pollinating Blooms on an Island Cherry

Bee pollinating spring blooms on an Island Cherry of Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located of the coast of California, USA

Lemonade Berry Blooms of Santa Cruz Island

Lemonade Berry blooms of Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located of the coast of California, USA

Sideblotched Lizard of Santa Cruz Island

Sideblotched Lizard of Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of California, USA.

Bee on Yellow Spring Blooms

Bee pollinating yellow spring blooms on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, located of the coast of California, USA. Can you see the surprise guest?