The female elephant seal headed back to the sea yesterday. She arrived on May 18, spent 18 days preparing for her molt, started her molt on June 4, spent two weeks shedding her skin and hair, and another 18 days preparing for her departure. In the final day she had larger amounts of the white froth around her nose and mouth. One land they are cute and clumsy but at sea they are masters (see June 25 2024 to read about their talents and the white froth).

I came across the first obvious dead seagull of the summer. I was preparing myself for this but I was surprised by the location. The Window gulls had a protected spot more than 12 feet from another nest, bordered by the wall of the Tank Shed and with walkways on the sides. She had two chicks that hatched two days apart and one egg still in the nest.  I couldn’t spot the smaller chick and hope she hadn’t lost that one as well. I wonder if it is retribution for last years activities?

Here are some uplifting photos of happy healthy chicks enjoying the day.

A big yawn

A little wink

Facility work

• cleaned solar panels
• topped up battery fluids

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 10
• Private: 2

Weather

Varying amounts of fog throughout the day. Strong westerly breeze until early evening, then gale force with winds of 36 knots. Daytime temperatures: low 10, high 12.