What a breathtaking sunrise we had this morning. I was hoping for the forecasted rain to help chip away at the uppermost layer of guano settled every across the rocks but was greeted by a multi-layered rainbow instead. Incredible!

At times the enchantment of this place is found in its proximity, the rumble of a Steller’s roar felt through your feet as you walk along dodging new fledglings and protective gulls, or the hot breath of a California sea lion observing from a rock below as you head down the jetty. But so much wonder is also in its openness to the elements. The flicker of a whale’s presence, the shifting, moody clouds of the Salish Sea, and sometimes even a glorious sunrise touched by each end of the visible light spectrum.

Wildlife Notes

Another calm morning sea revealed a whale sighting! I’m beginning to wonder if I’m having confirmation bias and labelling everything humpback because it’s the most easily distinguishable species to me after orcas- to slow with the camera but I drew out a few quick sketches to keep the shape of the dorsal fin in my mind for double checking against identification guides. I’m still pretty sure it was a humpback! It also took two deeper dives, plunging out of sight for a longer while after a show of impressive tail flukes.

I spotted a new tagged sea lion while taking the seawater sample, but didn’t quite manage to catch the number. The quickly fading light and distance weren’t in my favour- but perhaps tomorrow I’ll get another chance.

Facilities

Yesterday’s cloudy skies meant the batteries drew down just before the sun and a good cleaning could keep levels up so the generator kicked on at around 7am this morning. I ran the desalination pump for a few hours, hoping to leave Christine with a solid supply of freshwater for her arrival Saturday afternoon.

The rest of the day has been continuing to deep clean the main house, and packing up for the next adventure.