Bernard was keeping an eye out for the pups today, looking up from his sleep every time one of them would cry out, which is less frequent and high pitched now too as they continue to grow. Having a father elephant seal protect it’s pups like this after the mother has left is not ordinary behaviour so this has been very interesting to watch.
Lots of Canada Geese landed on the island today, around 6-10 pairs that are very territorial with each other. I assume they’re getting ready for nesting season as that generally starts around March.
Still a decent number of cormorants, black oyster catchers and black turnstones around too.
Notes
DND blasting has started up again with several loud explosions going off each day for the past few days.
Still trying to figure out what Bernard, the dominant male elephant seal, is up to with the pups. Some days he protects them against other males and will sleep close to them throughout the day, and other days he is either just gone or will sleep away from them while other males attack them and fight over them with each other. Today he decided to defend them against a smaller but very persistent male that has been harassing them the most. Nonetheless the pups are doing well and seem unharmed.
