Three boat loads of Pearson’s students, instructors and a couple of parents visited today. They learned about the sea lions, elephant seals, gulls, the history of the lighthouse, climbed the lighthouse and toured the facilities to learn how fresh water and energy are produced and stored on the island. On one of the trips an ROV was launched off the pier. It was super cool to catch a special glimpse of the dancing kelp underwater world and have a view of the sky with gulls flying overhead seen from below the water surface.

Race Rocks students (tiny specks) at the base of the lighthouse.

Wildlife notes:

Several young eagles visited the island early this morning. I found it interesting that once an eagle had landed, the gulls seemed complacent and even sat or stood nearby. The oyster catchers however were not as accepting and continued to harass the unwelcomed intruder. Their determination and insistence may by due to the fact that some of the oyster catchers have already laid their eggs, while the gulls have little invested at this point, being only in the nest building, pairing and mating stages. Or maybe the young eagle I watched sitting amongst the gulls was just an inexperienced hunter or it is only eagles in flight that are a danger to the gulls …all day I watch the creatures here and wonder why – never any closer to understanding.

Oystercatcher swooping at a young eagle on South Rocks.

Facility work

• cleaned the solar panels, too busy with the boats and visitors for much else

Vessels (partial count)

• ecotourism: 2
• private: 1

Weather

• moderate westerly breeze throughout the day, partial clouds. Day time temperature: high 11, low 9.