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Tag Archives: elephant seal
The Rock was Ours! Race Rocks Weekend
“The Rock was ours.” Race Rocks Weekend
article and photos by Jeremias Prassl with group Naja, Angie, Ahmad, Josh, Roberto
It was after a week of painful Mock exams (or Group IV projects…), that we made our way out to Race Rocks on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Mike and Carrol, the light house guardians, had gone to town for the weekend, and so The Rock was ours. Second Nature was packed up high with our bags, food and dive gear as we left Pearson with Garry. The task list for the weekend included digging a trench for a new camera, fulfilling all island duties, and doing underwater camera work during our dives.
Saturday started with a surprise visit: A military Zodiac pulled up the docks, and two commandos informed us that they were looking for “the explosive”.
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- Jeremias and the tower
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- Roberto
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- Elephant seals
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- Moulting elephant seal
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- Students installing the wires for camera 5
As we soon figured out, a grey cylinder the Navy had lost off one of their vessels had been washed ashore at Race Rocks – and it was still active! But with their gear, the soldiers took care of it within a few minutes. For the rest of the morning we were busy with digging a trench in the rocky ground – we definitely earned the big lunch that followed. In the afternoon we strolled around the intertidal zone with our learned guide Josh, before we got ready for a dive. We were treated to the usual beauty of the Marine Protected Area underwater, and after our air had run out we went for a snorkelling trip. The day was finished by a chocolate fondue under the constantly turning light on top of the lighthouse.
When Mike and Carrol came back, they brought their grandchildren Mike and Chris, and we took them around for an exploration of the island, including the two female elephant seals lazily in the sun. When Garry came to pick us up after a second dive Sunday afternoon, we would’ve all done a lot to stay longer… for a few more days of our great weekend. A special thanks to Chris and Garry for all their assistance!
http://web.archive.org/web/20070710010854/http://peernet.lbpc.ca/thelink/040904/04aRaceRks.html
originally published at : http://peernet.lbpc.ca/thelink/040904/04aRaceRks.html
April 9 2004 The Link number 63
Elephant seal mating
Two elephant seals haul out on the lawn and provide evidence of mating behaviour. The female has a large cut around her neck indicating an old injury. (Scarlet)
On January 22, 2004 Mike and Carol Slater moved camera 3 over to their house in order to keep track of the male elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris who has been hauled out on Great Race Rocks recently. They took these images right outside their house. He is the same one (Slash) who was injured a year ago.. See the video footage from January 03, and from August 03
This was the first time an adult female had come up to join him on the lawn. That afternoon there was considerable maneuvering for reproductive purposes.
It turns out that the female has also had an extensive injury. This deep cut, now healing over has probably been caused by a fish net or rope. We have not observed this female before at Race Rocks. She may have been hauled up on the Middle island where they lie on the flat top part and are not very visible from a boat. ( Later, Pam Birley gave this female the name of Scarlet
In 2009, we believe this same female elephant seal has again shown up on Middle Island
elephant seals mating
2004-01-24′,’23:04:20′,’Two elephant seals haul out on the lawn and provide evidence of mating behaviour. See http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/marmam/elseal/elsealmate.htm The female has a large cut around her neck indicating an old injury :Garry.
Elephant seals mating
Jan 24 2004: Two elephant seals haul out on the lawn and provide evidence of mating behaviour. See http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/marmam/elseal/elsealmate.htm The female has a large cut around her neck indicating an old injury.
250 Northern Sea lions
2004-01-09′,’17:09:52′,’Over 250 Northern Sea Lions ( many juveniles) on middle rock only today- One large male elephant seal there also and one on Great Race – ( On the lawn near helipad- check on the robotic camera ) Several bald eagles on the rocks.
Mammal Census
Jan 9, 2004: Over 250 Northern Sea Lions ( many juveniles) on middle rock only today- One large male elephant seal there also and one on Great Race – ( On the lawn near helipad- check on the robotic camera ) Several bald eagles on the rocks.
slash back– snow 5.5cm
Jan 3 2004: I see today that Mike has camera3 aimed at an elephant seal – This adult male must have moved up on the lawn behind the boathouse to get out of the northern gale today. This is probably the one who recovered from the encounter with the boat last year. (Slash) ( see in the marine mammals video archive.) On camera 1 today there is a male and several females out on the middle rock . Precipitation is snow 5.5 cm
Census birds and mammals
Dec 25, 2003: Pinniped census in the reserve: (Animals hauled out) —North Rock :0 Middle Rocks : Northern Sealions:65, California Sealions:1 —–Great Race Rocks : Northern Sealions: 8, California Sealions: 4 Harbour seals:7, Elephant seal :1(Male) West Race Rocks California Sealiion: 1 ( About one third of the animals observed were very young ) . Weather conditions: Wind West 32 , Sea 3′- Heavy Swell. Other noteworthy sightings : We estimated approximately 2500-3000 Herring Gulls on the island today.
Slash Recovered a Year Later
This Elephant Seal was struck by a motor boat at Race Rocks in January of 2003. Fortunately he has recovered well as can be seen her in two videos taken by Mike Slater in July and August ,2003. See the footage taken of his original injuries here.
2009: We have called this elephant seal “SLASH” and he now has his own page here
MPA Guardian Carol Slater’s comments on these animals in the Daily log of Jan19, Feb 11, Feb13, Feb 14 and Mar 1, 2003