During the early part of the morning, the flag hung vertically, stuck to the flagpole, wetted by fresh rain. Later in the morning, when it occasionally fluttered, it was from almost imperceptible, easterly zephyrs. After lunch it blew north 10-15 knots for a while before switching over to the afternoon westerlies mid afternoon. Although there was significant rain (see figure below) throughout the day, there was also lots of sunlight and we surpassed yesterday’s level by over 30%. The barometer started rising in the early morning and by 17:30 was at 1008 hPa. The forecast for Saturday is for a continuation of the afternoon westerly pattern.
A graph of the past week’s rainfall recorded by a Davis instruments tipping bucket rain gauge. Check the web-site for lots of cool data.
Only one whale watching boat was observed in the Ecological Reserve, just at dusk, although several headed west and back through Race Channel. One sports fishing boat fished very close to the boundary at Rosedale, but clearly outside. The Life Saving vessel ‘Spirit of Sooke V’ came through middle Channel this afternoon at a very stately pace and then swung around and went in between South and Great Islands and returned to the west.
A pod of at least four Killer Whales passed to the south of Race Rocks, heading west at ~07:00. It was not possible to determine which population and there were probably quite a few more than four. They were quite spread out and moving fairly fast, travelling about half way out to the US/Canada border (yellow can buoy) from Race Rocks. A flock of 23 Black Brandt flew through Middle Channel about the same time, also heading west. The Barn Swallows appear to be staying on the island somewhere; at least they were here bright and early. This place is certainly a haven for an insectivore. I hope they stay.
Pigeon Guillemots are members of the auk family, related to murres. They swim underwater using their wings and steer with their feet.
Right now they are in their alternate, or breeding plumage, otherwise in the winter their colouring is more like a winter murre or murrelet with lots of white, gray and dark gray.
The Pigeon Guillemots are spending more time on land as spring progreses. These true seabirds are ill equipped for walking with their feet used as rudders for underwater flight, and set far back on their muscular little bodies. I don’t think they are actually nesting yet but certainly getting use to land. Their favorite roosting spots are in the surge channel between the energy building and the science house, on the jetty and its’ upland scree and cliff area and on the little cliffs just southeast of the light-tower.
Now that the winds have settled down, the eagles are back and making determined attempts on the Canada geese. They also spend a considerable time on the pinniped haul-out rocks.
I keep expecting the Harlequin Ducks to leave and head for the mountains, where they nest and lead their summer lives. There are at least four here still and probably more.
Harlequin Ducks are also supreme under-water swimmers and specialize in white water: in rushing mountain rivers and streams in breeding season and in the sea the rest of the time.
A new (to me), young, female Northern Elephant Seal joined the Great Race elephant seal group today bringing the total to nine, five males and four females. #5850, the three year old male, embraced the new female (literally) and although he is the smallest of the males on the island, while the other males were practicing their jousting he had his ‘pinky’ out and was snuggling up to the new arrival. It is the first time I have seen seals hold ‘hands’.
A student group is arrived just before dinner and are staying over. They will be part of a first year biology field trip that will be here most of tomorrow. Work was routine today but the day was anything but routine. Amazing place.
