This morning was the last morning that I had to get the water sample early in the morning. I usually wake up, open the blinds and check if the sea lions have breached the fence overnight. I will say,  while laying in bed they always sound like they are just out the window, so this morning when I looked out I was sure they had broken the fence and were lounging on the front yard. My heart sank and I quickly got dressed, ready to get them to move; then I realized it was the shadows between the rocks I was seeing and the sea lions were fine!

I came in from the water sampling and had TWO cups of coffee with breakfast to get me going this morning. I was then off to the usual work of starting the generator and cleaning the solar panels. I find it so peaceful outside on the rock in the morning. There are a few fishing boats out, but not much else. The air is crisp and the day is just beginning. I ran the generator for only a few hours today and the sun took care of the rest.

I walked the fences and made sure everything was still holding up. The sea lions seem to be accustomed to the new fence and leave it alone for the most part. Certain groups are less comfortable with my presence and so I must walk slow and be aware of their changes in behaviour. I feel bad when I startle one and the group takes off to the water. Often on the walk I find a new tagged or branded sea lion, and this stampede hinders my effort to note the number and get a picture. I will usually go back later and try to view from a high rock, or climb the tower so that I can look down on the group and not disturb them.

With the dry weather I haven’t been able to clean some of the seagull guano that has been accumulating on the steps and decks. I was actually hoping for a day of rain while I’m here to help with the cleaning (remember fresh water is a scare resource on an island). There is one spot at the top of the lighthouse steps that has been bothering me with the accumulation, along with the decks around the house. I found a garden hoe that I could use as a scraper to clean the large deposits. This will help to reduce the tracking on our shoes and should make it much easier when the rain does come to wash away the guano.

Richard came in the afternoon and we worked on getting the passage under the sidewalk for the water line completed. We installed the clay drain tiles and poured the first layer of concrete to hold them in. Tomorrow we will pour the concrete to replace the sidewalk we chipped out.

Facility work

• Clean Solar Panels
• Run gas generator
• Clean seagull guano
• Water line and sidewalk repairs
• Brought rest of wood into house

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 16
• Private: 3
• Personal Watercraft: 2

Weather

Clear and sunny.  Winds 2 to 11 knots, starting from the NE in the morning and shifting to the SE by afternoon. Daytime temperatures 12 to 19 degrees.