Monthly Archives: February 2012

Change of Guardian

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On Saturday afternoon I arrived back on Race Rocks after a month away. I will be here about two months then Mike will be returning.

Last night the elephant seal family moved from the engine room area over to the middle of the island, closer to the main house.  The younger male (Chunk) was on Great Race this morning but tried to get close to Bertha and was promptly chased off by Misery.  After having witnessed Misery’s brutal attempt at being a father last year (that resulted in a disemboweled and eventually dead pup), it is nice to see him being less aggressive this year and to see the pup looking so plump and healthy.

Yesterday there were 3 boats in the reserve: 1 dive boat, 1 eco tour and 1 pleasure craft.  Today there has been 1 eco tour vessel in the reserve.

Wind NE 30 knots, sunny.

My Last Morning…

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for two months. Alex returns to the reserve while I fly south to Mexico.

It was an amazing 6 weeks, mostly due to the Elephant Seals. To be able to spend so much time in their close proximity was an opportunity I may never have again (til next January!) Here a few more pictures taken on my tiny point and shoot. We’ll be getting a good camera and telephoto lens soon…

Bertha’s dexterous tail flexing while Squall drains her milk. He is quite persistent.

Fat and Happy

Zeke the sub-adult male…

Big Boss

Animal Census Feb 1, 2011

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Air Breathing Animal Census of Race Rocks Feb 2012

Stellar Sea Lions: 30

Elephant Seals: 4

Harbour Seals: 75

Bald Eagles: 5-8

Brandt’s Cormorants: 200

Glaucous-Winged Gull: 100

Herring Gull: 30

Black Turnstones: 50

Song Sparrow: 6

Brant Geese: 6

Canada Geese: 2

Killdeer: 4

Dunlin: 2

Lrg. Sandpiper ?: 1

Sm. Sandpiper: 6

Harlequin Ducks: 20

Raven: 2

Human: 1