Romanzoffia tracyi
Scientific classification
Family: Boraginaceae (Borage)
Subfamily: Hydrophylloideae (Waterleaf)
Genus: Romanzoffia
Species: R. tracyi (Jepson)
Common name: Tracy’s mistmaiden
General: Perennial herb from well-developed, brown-woolly basal tubers; stems several, ascending, long glandular-hairy, 2-12 cm tall [1].
Lesser Snow Goose, Chen caerulescens
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Subfamily | Anserinae |
| Genus | Chen |
| Species | caerulescens |
| Common Name: | Snow Goose or Blue Goose |
This is the first observation and photo we have of a snow goose at Race Rocks. Ecoguardian Courtney Edwards took this photo on April 21, 2014. These geese migrate in great numbers through the lower mainland area at this time of year.
Bufflehead , Bucephala albeola photographed near Great Race Rocks March 30, 2014 by Courtney Edwards,
Bufflehead male and females.
Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Merginae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: albeola
Common Name:Bufflehead
Male Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola photo by Ryan Murphy
We normally see Buffleheads throughout the winter months feeding in bays and along beaches on the shores of Metchosin. The males are much more obvious from their contrasting black and white plumage. This is the first observation we have had in the Race Rocks waters.
Other Members of the Class Aves at Race Rocks.
 Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomyand Image File |
 The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. |
March, 2014–Garry Fletcher
4 videos of the elephant seal birth in 2016
Announcement in the Log – Ecological reserves –Update on Elephant seals Birth of this years elephant seal pup occurred as scheduled on January 14, 2016, same date as 2014.
The Jan 2015 pup was stillborn.
The posts for the follow-up of this pup are at https://www.racerocks.ca/e-seal-pup-born/
All posts on elephant seals at Race Rocks from the website. All posts on elephant seal births at Race Rocks
Macoma sp. Photo by Ryan Murphy
We are not sure of this classification of this bivalve but just had to use this image that Ryan took at Race Rocks, as it shows association with two other classes of Molluscs, the chitons and the gastropods.
Here is a possible classification from ITIS Report
Animalia: – animals
Subkingdom: Bilateria
Infrakingdom: Protostomia
Superphylum: Lophozoa
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Subclass: Heterodonta
Order: Veneroida
Superfamily: Tellinoidea
Family: Tellinidae
Genus: Macoma (Leach,) 1819
Species: Macoma brota Dall, 1916 – heavy macoma
| Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File |
| The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. Dec 2005–Ryan Murphy |
Garry Fletcher, Lester B Pearson College, 650 Pearson College Drive, V9C 4H7, Victoria, Canada;
Mary Kennedy, OBIS Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, B2Y 4A2, Dartmouth
Corresponding author(s): Garry Fletcher (garryf(use the at sign) gmail.com), Mary Kennedy (mary.kennedy(use the at sign)dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
Received {date}; Revised {date}; Accepted {date}; Published {date}
Citation: Combination of authors, year of data paper publication (in parenthesis), Title, Journal Name, Volume, Issue number (in parenthesis), and doi of the data paper.
Abstract
XwaYeN (Race Rocks) is a showcase for Pacific marine life; including large marine mammals, seabirds, fish, invertebrates and plants. XwaYeN has a rich marine heritage and is culturally significant for several First Nations in the area. The waters surrounding XwaYeN (Race Rocks) are also an important nursery and recruitment area for Northern abalone, currently listed as a threatened marine species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Protecting this area will enhance the protection of this threatened species.
In 1980, the province of British Columbia, under the authority of the provincial Ecological Reserves Act, established the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, which provides for the protection of the terrestrial natural and cultural heritage values (nine islets) and of the ocean seabed (to the 20 fathoms contour line). Ocean dumping, dredging and the extraction of non-renewable resources are not permitted within the boundaries of the Ecological Reserve.
Ecological Reserves are areas in British Columbia selected to preserve representative and special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, features, and phenomena. Ecological Reserves provide the highest level of protection for the maintenance of physical and biological diversity while allowing for research and educational activities. Click here for more information on Ecological Reserves. Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to protect terrestrial, intertidal and sub-tidal communities that are extremely rich as a result of strong tidal currents. Continue reading
Armeria maritima, sea thrift is in full bloom and looks very striking at this time of year. G.Fletcher photo.
There are several patches of this xerophytic plant located on the dry rocky knolls of Race Rocks. It is one of the native plants of the island.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Genus: Armeria
Species: A. maritima
Armeria maritima (Mill.) Willd.
Other Angiosperms at Race Rock
| Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File |
| The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. |
Alex Fletcher took this picture of a turkey vulture and included it in the Race Rocks Log of . We occasionally see Turkey Vultures at Race Rocks, rarely landed but often wheeling in the air. In October when migrating, they gather at this southern end of Vancouver Island, working up on the thermals until they have enough altitude and the conditions are right to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca
| Carol Slater noted in The Daily Log, Thursday, March 28, 2002 Good Evening TEMPERATURE: Max. 8.1 ºC »» Min. 6.0 ºC »» Reset 7.1 ºC »» Rain 2.6 mm MARINE LIFE: 4 Bald Eagles – 3 mature, only one pair of Geese today. Another wet and windy day but did have some visitors of note-just before noon 4 Turkey Vultures landed on the ridge just west of the Learning Centre. The other birds were somewhat wary but did not try to drive away the big vultures as they do with the eagles.The geese were very curious and waddled over to have a look all the time waving their necks back and forth. |
| Unfortunately by the time the geese made their way from the flagpole to where the vultures were, they had taken off towards Bentinck Island.Turkey Vultures often land here during the fall migration but this is the first time I can remember seeing them in the spring.The small elephant seal is still hauled out on the ramp,it’s nose just 3 metres from the boat house door, quite comfortable and unconcerned with us passing by even just inches away.
Other references to turkey vulture sightings may be found here: |
CLASSIFICATION:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Cathartiformes
Family:Cathartidae
Genus Cathartes
Species aura
Common Name: Turkey Vulture
| Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File |
| The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. |
Green-winged teals: Photo by Alex Fletcher, Dec 12, 2014. Alex noted that they seem to come after the heavy rains as they did last year.
Below is the first set of image taken of Anas carolinensis, the green-winged Teal at Race Rocks.
The male plumage shows up in this picture .
Ecoguardian Alex Fletcher took this first set of images of green-winged teal ducks at Race Rocks in December 2012.
These ducks are common over on Vancouver Island but we have never recorded them out here before.
Duck scratch
I suspect it was because there were many freshwater ponds on the lawns with the heavy rains recently on the island.
Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum :Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus Anas
Species caroliniensis
Common Name: Green-winged teal.
On January 13, 2018 Ecoguardian Laas Parnell records an new sighting in her log.
Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image Gallery Index:
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, faculty, staff and volunteers of Lester B. Pearson College and website viewers on our remote cameras on the internet. Dec. 18, 2012– Alex Fletcher
