Daily Archives: Sunday,December 4, 2011

Pearson College Students at Race Rocks

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Jake and Aaron installing tilt kit on a second block of solar PV panels

On Friday afternoon Chris brought a group of 5 students and Jake to stay on the island for the weekend.   The group was a big help with several projects including installing a second solar PV tilt kit on the roof of the Engine Room, helping build a rainwater capture system, relocating construction materials, and transferring diesel for heating.

On Saturday Danie made marine life observations on the South side of the island, she counted 5 sealions, 40 Cormorants, 10 gulls, and 7 Black Oyster catchers. Also on Saturday Julie did a Marine Sciences research experiment on the relationship between ocean current strength and depth.  While conducting the experiment we had some trouble with the outboard engine fuel line on the Whaler so Chris came out in Second Nature to get us going again.

Today around 11:00 hrs Chris came back out to the island to take them all back to campus. It has been another great weekend with students at Race Rocks, big thanks for all the help and good times.  Also. thanks to Jake for taking the lead on the tilt kit and to Chris for providing support and transportation on the weekend.

Chris taking students back to campus in Second Nature

Weather and Marine Life

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Cormorants silhouetted on South Rock at sunrise

Have continued to have high atmospheric pressure and nice weather over the weekend. On Saturday I passed by Middle Rocks in the Race Rocks whaler and it looked like Misery was accompanied by three female elephant seals.  He seems to be spending his time laying on Middle Rock while the weather is calm.  Three bald eagles cruised over South Rock yesterday afternoon and a couple were around today as well.

Seals splashing around in a kelp bed at low tide, sunset

 

Marine Vessel Traffic

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On Friday the eco-tour vessel Luna operated by BC Whale Tours entered the reserve around 16:00 hrs.

On Saturday a private vessel # WN3603RP passed through the reserve in the afternoon.  It appeared to be traveling over the speed limit of 7 knots as it departed the reserve.

Pinnacle Scuba Adventure dive boat off of Middle Rocks

Today dive boats from Pinnacle Scuba Adventures  and Ogden Point Dive Centre brought divers into the reserve.  Around noon a private vessel # BC1752393 entered the reserve coming from the direction of Victoria.  It appeared to be traveling over the speed limit of 7 knots and passed near a diver who was close to the surface.  I was unable to get a response from them on the VHF radio.  Around 1500 hrs a Prince of Whales eco tour vessel passed through the reserve.