Yesterday morning Erik came out on Second Nature with Julien,
Garry, and Jake. He took off a pretty full load of wood scraps from a reno of the crane deck, garbage, 4 monitors, propane tanks, old composting toilet, etc. DND blasting occurred at 11:11, 11:14, 11:35 (twice), and 11:36. This morning around 4 am I heard a male elephant seal, presumably Misery, who has been back on the island all day. I worked with Jake on installing the first solar PV tilt kit on the roof of the engine room. The kit is apparently rated to withstand 125 mph winds. It should provide greater solar exposure and accumulate less gull excrement thereby requiring less desalinated water to clean.
Author Archives: Alex Fletcher
orcas sighted again
Aside
The elephant seal was pretty vocal last night but there was no sign or sound of him today. Yesterday at sunset I think I saw the horned owl on top of the flag pole. This morning several Bald Eagles were rounding up the gulls on great race. Before noon a vessel from Pinnacle Divers came into the reserve. They did a dive near the jetty and a second one off of the E rocks. While unloading divers near the jetty the boat accidentally contacted the kelp bed off the NW side of the jetty. I contacted the company by phone and left a message. Around 14:00 hrs a Prince of Whales vessel entered the reserve. There were around 30 Northern Sealions hauled out on N Rock. On the vessels approach to N Rock some sealions exited into the water. I contacted the company by phone and spoke with a staff member. Around 14:30 hrs 3 or more Orcas approached the reserve from the SW passing W of the reserve heading N. Have been gathering scrap wood, propane tanks, garbage etc. today for offloading tomorrow with a boat trip from the college planned for the morning.
ecological reserve traffic today
Ogden Point Dive Group boat was out around noon. Prince of Whales eco tour vessel came by around 14:00.
owl back again
Elephant seal was up near desalination most of the day but went back down to hang out in the water near the jetty around sunset. Hadn’t seen the owl since Tuesday but was happy to see it up on the crane around sunset today.
Male elephant seal arrives again
The male elephant seal, probably Misery has returned today to the main island. He is staying over near the desalinator building.
divers out today
Erik and Laura were out in the afternoon with a group of divers.
Census image for gulls on southwest corner of Great Race 16:18hrs
Taken from remote camera 1 at the top of the tower
Pearson students work on experiments
Chris came out at 10:30 to pick up students who stayed the past two nights. While they were here they helped with organizing the basement of the marine science center. Two students did work for science experiments. Winds reached 50 knots last night. There were 6 visitors to the island today.
Great horned owl arrives on Race Rocks
Today a great horned owl took up residence at the winch platform. It often stays under the platform, or perches on the railing, occasionally flying a short distance. I took some photos which are now on the taxonomy page for the owl.
Erik came out with 5 students around sunset and took 2 guests off the island.
boat repair
Erik came out around noon to help with motor boat start up. I came back out around sunset with 2 guests.
Visitors to island
Erik brought out a group of 9 visitors who stayed from around 10:30-14:00.
There were 9 visitors to the island today.
1 Eco-tour vessel in the reserve.