Wildlife notes

The unwell California sealion has left the boat ramp. I searched the area from the top of the lighthouse but couldn’t locate him. I can’t imagine he could have swam far in his condition.  The little chick with the injured leg is still with us. I thought it would go the other way around but it is hanging on, determined to learn how to walk/move around and get to its siblings and supper.

I saw another harbour seal mom and her pup so we are at three pairs now. The shallow and sheltered water on East Beach and the rocky beach to the south of the Energy Building are two areas the moms spend time with their pups.  Their nose touching is so precious. It is a delight to watch them. I can’t adequately describe their close interactions and bond so here is a video I found of what a pup is able to do in its first hour of life and another video showing a mom with her one day old pup trying to get it on land to nurse, ending with some nose touching.

Harbour seal mom and her young pup in the sheltered waters south of the Energy Building. The pup still has a section of umbilical cord attached so it is between one and 5 days old.

Young harbour seal pup resting in the water.

Facility work

• cleaned solar panels
• battery maintenance

Vessels

• Ecotourism: 13
• Private: 1

Weather

Skies with scattered clouds. Winds SW 18 to NW 30 knots. Daytime temperatures 12 to 14 degrees.