The weather at Race Rocks was good for generating solar power today with clear skies overhead and a gentle west wind. At the same time, massive cloud formations were building over the Olympic Mountains to the south and the Coastal Ranges to the east. The barometer stayed up at about 1015 hPa today and the forecast is calling summer-like winds with a gale warning posted for tonight and Saturday. It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow and then return to rain for a few days.
Two whale watching boats were observed visiting the Ecological Reserve today and there might have been more. At least three sports fishing boats were in to look at all the animals in the water and on the rocks. One vessel was actively fishing in the Race Rocks Rockfish Conservation Area.
Ecologically, the transition into autumn seems to be happening with more migratory birds passing through and stopping by. The Savannah Sparrow count jumped up to ~ 15 birds today and Surfbirds to 25. Northern Phalaropes were observed feeding in the tide slicks near the reserve boundaries and more gulls in post-breeding migration, like Heerman’s Gulls and California Gulls seem to be arriving daily. See gallery below for more photos.
The weather, sea conditions and currents were also excellent for launching the whaler and doing a test run. I went ashore today and picked up Alex after doing most of the regular maintenance in the morning and finishing on return. The underwater Camera (2) mysteriously came back on-line today after unplugging and plugging back in everything Max and I could think of, to jump start it. When I checked today it wasn’t working.
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- Oldtimer, Stellers Sea Lion in a deep sleep.
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- This battle wound was fresh August 30 and seems to be healing now.
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- The long facial whiskers (vibrissae) lying back here, point forward when the sea lion is swimming or when it greets another sea lion on land. (Faire la bise.)
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- Photo-identification of branded and tagged sea lions is a daily activity that contributes to knowledge about migration and populations.
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- According to the literature, these Northern Elephant Seals are not here at this time of year. (hmmm)
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- California Sea Lions and Northern Elephant Seals pile up together on the marine railway. Makes launching the boat interesting.
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- A mixed species flock of Surfbirds and Black Turnstones resting on the south end of Great Race in the evening.
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- This tiny Western Sandpiper has a wounded left leg. The foot doesn’t come forward and it walks on it tucked under and dragging. Resting and feeding before crossing the Strait southward bound.
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- Standing guard for thee since before Canada was a country.
