Visibility: 15+ miles, Mt. Baker visible in the late afternoon
Wind: 0-5 knots North, later up to 10-15 North
Sky: clear and sunny
Water: rippled
Ecological
Still only the weaner on Great Race.
Very cute!
Maintenance
Cleaned the solar panels.
Various daily and bi-daily tasks.
Boats
At least 4 eco-tours came by today.
One of them was likely too close to the sea lions on the South Islands, as there was a stampede.
One boat was definitely fishing within the Rockfish Conservation Area, but I was unable to identify any numbers on the boat, and I suspect they were First Nations, which would make it none of my concern.
One sailboat wandered through in the early afternoon.
Wind: 10-15 knots West, later 5 knots South, then 5-10 West
Sky: clear and sunny!
Water: rippled
Ecological
Census day!
Shortly before 15:30 as I was counting shorebirds, I heard a loud noise to my right. Glancing over, I was thrilled to see a whale surfacing in the South Channel. I managed to get some photos as it resurfaced farther south-west.
California Sea Lions: 79
Harbour Seals: 69
Steller (Northern) Sea Lions: 33
Elephant Seals: 3, all on Great Race, 2 young males, 1 weaner
Whale: 1 (I think it was an Orca)
Seagulls unspecified: 269
Pigeon Guillemots: 45
Cormorants unspecified: 30
Double Crested Cormorants: 9
Surfbirds: 37
Harlequin Ducks: 27 (15 males and 12 females)
Canada Geese: 24
Black Turnstones: 20
Bald Eagles: 20 (4 adults, 16 immature)
Black Oystercatchers: 6
Rock Sandpipers: 4
Crows: 3
Boats
A few eco-tours passed by today.
Second Nature came out with food supplies for me.
A large navy sailboat passed by north of the reserve.
Visitors
Kyle and Jeff came out in Second Nature.
Other
One helicopter flew just south of the reserve in the morning.
The elephant seal weaner was back on the grass between the buildings.
One juvenile male spent the day sleeping by the tower.
A second young male appeared in the afternoon and pestered the weaner.
I was pleased to spy several oystercatchers, a pair of harlequin ducks, two bald eagles, and a raven, amongst the usual seagulls, cormorants, and black turnstones.
Maintenance
Guy, Christine, and Kyle gave me a tour of the facilities.
Various little changes here and there, but overall no massive differences.
Unpacked and settled in to the house.
Boats
Kyle and Second Nature brought me out around 12:30.
They departed at 1:20 with Guy et Christine.
3 eco-tours came by in the afternoon.
Visitors
Kyle
Other
I am excited to be starting my fourth lengthy shift out at Race Rocks.
This is Riley Strother signing off and wishing you a goodnight!
