I first came to Race Rocks nearly 24 (!) years ago, as a first year Pearson student. Imagine then my joy at learning that I would be joined this week by biology teacher Christie and a group of her students, out on the Rocks for CAS week. Based in the science building on the westerly side of the island, they spent five days exploring fauna and flora.

Pearson students by the tide pools

On Thursday morning, Richard came out in Pedder Explorer to take everyone on a field trip. Conditions were spectacular, though with other visitors on the island (more on that in an upcoming post) I had to stay behind. But at least I got to see the pack of five orcas transiting south of the island from the tower, with Pedder Explorer in the background.

Pedder Explorer on her way

In the afternoon, I joined everyone in a detailed exploration of the tide pools. We have had really low tides during the day recently, which makes for excellent explorations of the intertidal zone – thank you Christie for your fascinating and entertaining insights into the complex ecosystems of the island!

Christie and Pearson students in the best outdoor classroom in the world

Facility work

• Health and Safety Checks
• Fire extinguisher re-certification
• Desalination (using both generator and solar power)
• Seawater sampling (with student assistance)

Weather

• Wind: 6kts NNE
• Predominantly sunny
• Air temp: 10C

Vessels: more than half a dozen Eco-tourism boats, Pedder Explorer

My first night on the Rocks coincided with some pretty impressive weather – while a storm front was moving in from the Pacific, the island enjoyed an hour of complete calm and sunshine.

The calm before the storm

Notice something different? When windspeed is set to exceed 25kts, the Flag is lowered to protect it – but as soon as things calm down, it is hoisted again.

Hoisting the flag

The system moved through fairly quickly, giving rise to some beautiful colours throughout the day. It’s always interesting to note what a difference tides make to waves around Race Rocks when the wind is up – a westerly wind with the flood, for example, can create an illusion of calm; whereas similar winds create impressive standing waves when the waters are ebbing.

Sun and the storm

Facility work

• Determine fuel levels across the island, transfer fuel to generator building, top up generator
• Desalination while generator is running
• Top up drinking water in science building
• Seawater sampling (with student assistance)

Weather

• Wind: 25-35 SW and W overnight, calming to 15 SW by evening
• Overcast, occasional rain showers
• Air temp: 7C

With a storm brewing and the tides receding, we worked hard to get out to Race Rocks as early as possible in the morning – my first ride on the new Pedder Explorer.

A first glimpse of Race Rocks

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the excitement of coming out of the Bay, and catching the first glimpse of the lighthouse…

The Welcoming Committee

During a quick walk-through, Greg and Karyssa updated me on current operations and various recent changes I’m looking forward to exploring during the week ahead – and then, as the tides were about to fall below 1m (the safe minimum for Pedder Explorer), they were off. A big thank you to Karyssa for getting everything ready and perfectly set up for a smooth transition!

Facility work

• House Move-In
• Battery top-up
• Seawater sampling (with student assistance)

Weather

• Wind: 10kts W (picking up significantly into the night)
• Highly variable
• Air temp: 11C

Vessels: several Eco-tourism boats, Pedder Explorer

We awoke to another beautiful day on Race Rocks, which I was immensely grateful for as it’d be my last full day to enjoy this little piece of heaven. It was a busy one, as we had a group of students coming out for their week-long stay and I had to make sure everything was ready for handover to the next incoming Eco-Guardian. After giving an orientation for the students about life on the island, I took them for a tour as we looked at the different ecosystems and wildlife around the island that might inspire their biology projects. Thankful for my background in nature guiding, I happily answered their questions about the animals and environment around us. I was sad to be missing out on the rest of the week as I’m curious to see what their projects end up becoming! What an amazing opportunity for students to learn in the field and have their classroom in nature.

Humpback Whale

Later in the day I was lucky to spot some humpback whales off the East side of the island. I notified the students and we watched the two swimming along in the currents. My first whales of the season, perhaps the first this year at Race Rocks? Very exciting nonetheless!

Facility work

• Generator check and fuel
• Wash basement floors
• Clean house
• Final inventory of supplies
• Seawater sampling (with student’s help)

Weather

• Wind: 3-7kts ESE
• Mostly sunny
• Air temp: 6C

Vessels: 5 Eco-tourism boats, 2 private vessels

DND Activity: 3 blastings

Farewell Race Rocks!

Although I’m sad to be reaching the end of my stay at Race Rocks, today was exciting as I had my very good friend arrive to join me for my last couple days. I was also happy to have some help to do the animal census on this gorgeous sunny day. Perhaps because of the great weather and calm waters, there seemed to be a lower count of animals as they were out foraging.

Animal Census Saturday, March 22, 2026:

Mammals:

• Steller sea lion: 26
• California sea lion: 17
• Harbour seal: 135
• Northern Elephant seal: 2 (Baby and adult female)

Birds:

• Glaucus-winged gull: 278
• Herring gull: 3
• Brandt’s Cormorant: 106
• Pelagic Cormorant: 89
• Double-crested cormorant: 21
• Black oystercatcher: 6
• Harlequin duck: 12
• Black turnstone: 7
• Canadian goose: 10
• Surfbirds: 5
• Bald Eagle: 3 (2 Juveniles)
• Savannah’s Sparrow: 1

Again the pigeon guillemots evaded me on census day…but I saw more than a dozen by the jetty the day before. We also came across a Steller sea lion with a massive growth hanging out of it’s eye – while it seemed to otherwise be in good condition I did report this animal as it’s one to keep an eye on.

Facility work

• Animal census
• Batteries top-up
• Seawater sample
• Washed solar panels
• Washed outside windows

Weather

• Wind: 5-15kts NNW
• Mostly sunny
• Air temp: 7C
• Sea state: calm

Vessels: 1 canoe/rower who circumnavigated the island, 1 kayaker, 1 eco-tourism

Blessed with another day of sunshine on the rocks. The wind hasn’t let up yet, but it was more manageable to be outside for longer periods today. Little pup has moved herself to the opposite side of the island, now hanging out by the woodpile near the crane on the North end while the adult female elephant seal takes her usual spot near the flagpole. A large male Steller sea lion has been hanging out with the California sea lions near the jetty haulout – he is massive, taking up the space of 2 or 3 California sea lions. But they don’t seem to mind him, all still piling on to the same rocks.

Male Steller Sea Lion amongst California Sea Lions

Facility work

• Cleaned solar panels
• Filled battery fluids
• Seawater sample
• Compost

Weather

• Wind: 12-23kts NW
• Mostly sunny
• Air temp: 7C
• Sea state: 1-2ft chop in the morning, calm afternoon

Another drizzly morning, but the sun finally made an appearance in the afternoon. However it did come with some good winds making for some pretty rough seas. It’s one of my favorite visuals on the island, an angry looking sea with sunshine sparkling and lighting up the crashing waves.

Facility work

• House deep cleaning continued
• Seawater sample
• Generator and fence checks
• Wood splitting

Weather

• Wind: 10NW, gusting 40kts
• Rain in the morning, partly cloudy afternoon
• Air temp: 9C
• Sea state: 3ft chop, 1m swell

Vessels: 1 Eco-tourism

The rain continues making large puddles all around the island, while I focus my chores on keeping busy indoors in the dry and warm. Although I’d rather be outside taking photos and enjoying the wildlife the house does need some good deep cleaning, so the rain is good motivation. Not much else to report on, both seals are doing their usual business of napping most of the day and the geese are still rudely chasing me. But all is well on the island.

Facility work

• Checked & re-fueled generator
• Deep clean kitchen & living room
• Seawater sample

Weather

• Wind: 2-21kts WSW
• Rain / Overcast
• Air temp: 10C
• Sea state: 1 ft chop

Vessels: 1 private, 1 eco-tourism

DND Blasting: 1 time in the morning

Another drizzly day on the rocks, but I had some morning entertainment as I watched our baby Elephant seal being uncontrollably cute playing in the rain. She was galumphing around splashing in the puddles, even at times blowing bubbles into them. She’d raise her head and open her mouth at the sky, almost as if catching raindrops on her tongue. It’s hard to interpret the behaviour of a wild seal, but as an Aunty of two young girls I can tell when toddlers are just being silly and weird!

Facility work

• Fence maintenance
• Seawater sample
• Kitchen deep clean
• House inventory

Weather

• Wind: 5-20kts NE
• Light drizzle and fog in the morning, rain in the afternoon
• Air temp: 10C
• Sea state: Calm

Vessels: 2 Ecotourism

DND Activity: 3 blastings in the morning

I do love a moody misty morning. The fog rolled in blanketing the reserve, making it feel all the more secluded – like an island drifting in a cloud. Despite the fog in the morning, it was a bit more active day on the water with 2 Ecotourism vessels and 3 private vessels coming to check out the reserve and our residents.

Once the fog cleared it was actually quite warm outside (relatively that is). A nice day for bopping around the island taking lots of mystical photos in between my facility work.

House of Mist & Fog

Facility work

• Battery fluid fill
• Fill tidy tank & generator with fuel
• Seawater sample
• Ran desalinator

Weather

• Wind: 4kts W, gusting 32kts in the evening
• Dense fog in the morning, clearing to overcast in the afternoon, rain into the evening
• Air temp: 10C
• Sea state: Calm