George Lowe’s travel articles were once a regular feature of the Los Angeles Times. During the years 1965-1974, a dozen of these articles mentioned the California condor. Here are excerpts from half of them.
“Trip of the Week: Scenic Montecito Peak” (27 June 1965)
A little further on is the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History showing some excellent stuffed specimens of the California Condor from the little band of these giant birds … which are making their last stand for survival in a special sanctuary deep in the rugged mountains rising above you.
“Journey to Orange Country” (20 February 1966)
Back of Piru and Fillmore in the rugged mountains is the only animal refuge of its kind on earth, an area set aside especially in an effort to preserve the forlorn last band of the California condors.
… if you’re very, very fortunate, and something looking like a glider soars overhead, look again – it just might be a Condor.
“A Day for Artists in Ojai Valley” (11 October 1970)
In the rugged mountains to the north is a refuge protecting the last surviving band of some two dozen giant California condors.
“On Lookout for California Condor” (11 July 1971)
Soon after the opening of the deer hunting season in the first week of August is the best time to watch for the giant California condors, North America’s largest birds …. There is a special Condor Lookout atop Mt. Pinos …. Take along binoculars.
“The Cavalry Rides Again at Ft. Tejon” (12 August 1973)
The condors take off from their cliffside caves to soar for hours without a flap of the giant wings, hunting food.
“Trip of Week to Condorland” (21 July 1974)
They can soar for miles without a wing flap. Tales of the giant birds carrying off children and lambs are ridiculous; they’re a type of vulture, feeding only on carrion …
As the quotations above demonstrate, George Lowe was not above repeating the same content and even wording in successive columns. But it’s easy to forgive Lowe given his obvious enthusiasm for the California condor. It is also important to consider that his travel articles told some of the condor story to a wide audience.
Previous posts that consider the California condor as a “travel destination” are Driving to the birds, Traveling to the birds, and Nature and Science on the Pacific Coast.
Pseudogryps 