1 immature Bald Eagle today and only 1 pair of Geese.A very interesting morning! Although it is a policy not to interfere with the wildlife, today we did step in and avert what we thought would have been death to a small Elephant Seal. There was a great ruckus out in front of the boat house,looking out I could see the largest Elephant Seal moving the upper part of his body back and forth with what seemed determined force. Since I could see him only when he reared up, had to go out to see what all the fuss was about.At first it appeared we were witnessing an amorous encounter ! however it did not take long to realize such was not the case. This great creature had the smallest elephant seal pinned down on the concrete against the step and was pummeling it for all it”s worth totally unconcerned with it”s squeals and efforts to get away. Our first instinct was to jump up and down, wave and shout, which we did, unfortuately and somewhat predictably all we managed to do was further antagonize the big fellow and he lunged towards us, luckily we ”encouraged” him to back off by waving a couple of towels from the tank room as close to his head as we dared.I”m sure I read more into the relief that seemed to show in the big watery eyes of the now rescued seal but it moved toward us and we were able to inspect the bloody scrapes which looked superficial, I was more concerned that there might be internal injuries.We kept an eye on the little fellow and by nightfall it had moved up to the grass just below the front porch. I would have let it in the basement to re-couperate…but that would be rediculous… right.’, ‘Carol or Mike S’, ’15:56:14 ,
Tag Archives: elephant seal
Elephant seal encounter
Sunday, March 10, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.9C Min. 4.5C Reset 7.7C Rain 1.9mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature Bald Eagle today and only 1 pair of Geese. A very interesting morning! Although it is a policy not to interfere with the wildlife, today we did step in and avert what we thought would have been death to a small Elephant Seal. There was a great ruckus out in front of the boat house,looking out I could see the largest Elephant Seal moving the upper part of his body back and forth with what seemed determined force. Since I could see him only when he reared up, had to go out to see what all the fuss was about.At first it appeared we were witnessing an amourous encounter ! however it did not take long to realize such was not the case. This great creature had the smallest elephant seal pinned down on the concrete against the step and was pummeling it for all it’s worth totally unconcerned with it’s squeals and efforts to get away. Our first instinct was to jump up and down, wave and shout, which we did, unfortunately and somewhat predictably all we managed to do was further antagonize the big fellow and he lunged towards us, luckily we ‘encouraged’ him to back off by waving a couple of towels from the tank room as close to his head as we dared.I’m sure I read more into the relief that seemed to show in the big watery eyes of the now rescued seal but it moved toward us and we were able to inspect the bloody scrapes which looked superficial, I was more concerned that there might be internal injuries.We kept an eye on the little fellow and by nightfall it had moved up to the grass just below the front porch. I would have let it in the basement to re-cooperate…but that would be ridiculous… right.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:34 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 9.9C Min. 4.5C Reset 7.7C Rain 1.9mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 immature Bald Eagle today and only 1 pair of Geese. A very interesting morning! Although it is a policy not to interfere with the wildlife, today we did step in and avert what we thought would have been death to a small Elephant Seal. There was a great ruckus out in front of the boat house,looking out I could see the largest Elephant Seal moving the upper part of his body back and forth with what seemed determined force. Since I could see him only when he reared up, had to go out to see what all the fuss was about.At first it appeared we were witnessing an amourous encounter ! however it did not take long to realize such was not the case. This great creature had the smallest elephant seal pinned down on the concrete against the step and was pummeling it for all it’s worth totally unconcerned with it’s squeals and efforts to get away. Our first instinct was to jump up and down, wave and shout, which we did, unfortunately and somewhat predictably all we managed to do was further antagonize the big fellow and he lunged towards us, luckily we ‘encouraged’ him to back off by waving a couple of towels from the tank room as close to his head as we dared.I’m sure I read more into the relief that seemed to show in the big watery eyes of the now rescued seal but it moved toward us and we were able to inspect the bloody scrapes which looked superficial, I was more concerned that there might be internal injuries.We kept an eye on the little fellow and by nightfall it had moved up to the grass just below the front porch. I would have let it in the basement to re-cooperate…but that would be ridiculous… right.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:34 PM
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy Vis. 15 Miles Wind North East 13 Knots Sea 1 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:20 AM
WEATHER: Sky Cloudy Vis. 15 Miles Wind North East 13 Knots Sea 1 Foot Chop
posted by Carol or Mike S at 7:20 AM
Black Oyster catchers arrive noisily
Saturday, March 09, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max 9.0C Min. 2.7C Reset 6.5C No Precipitation
MARINE LIFE: 4 Bald Eagles – 3 mature,still 2 pair Canada Geese. The gulls and Black Oyster catchers arrive noisily soon after daybreak and spend a good part of the day in and around the nesting areas; the Oyster Catchers foraging along the shoreline call out to each and often form a group of 22-24 birds then fly around the island several times before pairing off again to search for food.There are now 3 Elephant seals hauled out on the boat ramp, the 2 bulls and 1 smaller one about 11/2 metres long juvenile,they are very noisy especially from 1-3 a.m.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:14 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max 9.0C Min. 2.7C Reset 6.5C No Precipitation
MARINE LIFE: 4 Bald Eagles – 3 mature,still 2 pair Canada Geese. The gulls and Black Oyster catchers arrive noisily soon after daybreak and spend a good part of the day in and around the nesting areas; the Oyster Catchers foraging along the shoreline call out to each and often form a group of 22-24 birds then fly around the island several times before pairing off again to search for food.There are now 3 Elephant seals hauled out on the boat ramp, the 2 bulls and 1 smaller one about 11/2 metres long juvenile,they are very noisy especially from 1-3 a.m.
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:14 PM
Good Morning: WEATHER: Sky Overcast Vis. 15 Miles Wind 23 Knots Sea 3 Foot Moderate >> Low East Swell
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:39 AM
2 bull Elephant seals are very vocal
Thursday, March 07, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 1.0C Min. -3.0C Reset -0.5C Snow 3.0 cm = 3.0mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 lone mature Bald Eagle this morning but did not stay long. Seems the closer we get to the first day of spring the worse the weather. 2 pair of geese today and the 2 bull Elephant seals are very vocal as they spend the night in the area around the boat ramp. We are used to the usual ‘snorting’ sounds but lately they have been letting out some great bellows which I have read can be heard up to a mile away. Certainly they are loud enough to wake us at 2 a.m.!
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:43 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 1.0C Min. -3.0C Reset -0.5C Snow 3.0 cm = 3.0mm
MARINE LIFE: 1 lone mature Bald Eagle this morning but did not stay long. Seems the closer we get to the first day of spring the worse the weather. 2 pair of geese today and the 2 bull Elephant seals are very vocal as they spend the night in the area around the boat ramp. We are used to the usual ‘snorting’ sounds but lately they have been letting out some great bellows which I have read can be heard up to a mile away. Certainly they are loud enough to wake us at 2 a.m.!
posted by Carol or Mike S at 6:43 PM
Elephant seals
Thursday, February 28, 2002
Good evening
Weather: Clear and sunny>> >> Vis 15 miles>> >>Wind N to NE 5-10 knots all day>> >> Sea rippled
MARINE LIFE: Quiet on all fronts. 4 Canada geese spent the day on the island. 2 mature Bald Eagles near the helipad this morning and 1 immature this afternoon. Spotted 4 adult male Elephant Seals hauled out on Middle Rock. No sign of the wounded young male we saw over the past few days.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Garry came by with the divers and the mother of a student visiting the college. Haven’t been diving since Monday; today would have been a good day to get wet. Zodiac from Victoria Coast Guard Auxillary came through around dinner time. The two Zodiacs from Victoria Police and Fisheries grazed the boundaries of the reserve on their way back to Victoria at sunset; which was a colorful event again tonight.
Chris
posted by Chris Blondeau at 11:44 PM
Weather: Clear and sunny>> >> Vis 15 miles>> >>Wind N to NE 5-10 knots all day>> >> Sea rippled
MARINE LIFE: Quiet on all fronts. 4 Canada geese spent the day on the island. 2 mature Bald Eagles near the helipad this morning and 1 immature this afternoon. Spotted 4 adult male Elephant Seals hauled out on Middle Rock. No sign of the wounded young male we saw over the past few days.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Garry came by with the divers and the mother of a student visiting the college. Haven’t been diving since Monday; today would have been a good day to get wet. Zodiac from Victoria Coast Guard Auxillary came through around dinner time. The two Zodiacs from Victoria Police and Fisheries grazed the boundaries of the reserve on their way back to Victoria at sunset; which was a colorful event again tonight.
Chris
posted by Chris Blondeau at 11:44 PM
wounded elephant seal
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
[2/27/2002 20:13:23 PM | Chris Blondeau
Good evening
Weather: Partly cloudy with sunny breaks>> >>Vis 15 miles>> >> Wind West 5-10 Knots this morning and 15-25 this afternoon>> >> Sea 2 foot chop.
MARINE LIFE: Another parade of Bald Eagles this morning. 3 immature and about 6 adults scattered on the various rocks around the reserve. 4 Canada geese spent the better part of the day on Great Race island. I spotted the young male Elephant Seal with wounds on his back laying with a female on top of middle rock. The blood stains he left on the docks on Monday are still visible. He seems to be doing alright. Another adult male spent a good portion of the afternoon floating around and vocalizing by the docks in front of the boat ramp. It looked for a while like he was going to haul ashore for the night but it was not to be.
HUMAN INTERACTION: One rental boat from Pedder Bay Marina spent about an hour in the area sightseeing and taking pictures of the wildlife. A Coast Guard helicopter landed a crew this afternoon to perform some maintenance on the solar panels, storage batteries, fog horn and beacon on top of the tower.
This afternoon I undertook to clean our specimen tank. A lot of the sediments carried by the water we pump in never gets a chance to make the return trip to the ocean. As a result it settles in the tank and needs to be removed periodically. So all the specimens were transferred to another tank; the main tank emptied, cleaned and restocked.
Have a look on camera 1.
More tomorrow
Chris
posted by Chris Blondeau at 11:42 AM
Good evening
Weather: Partly cloudy with sunny breaks>> >>Vis 15 miles>> >> Wind West 5-10 Knots this morning and 15-25 this afternoon>> >> Sea 2 foot chop.
MARINE LIFE: Another parade of Bald Eagles this morning. 3 immature and about 6 adults scattered on the various rocks around the reserve. 4 Canada geese spent the better part of the day on Great Race island. I spotted the young male Elephant Seal with wounds on his back laying with a female on top of middle rock. The blood stains he left on the docks on Monday are still visible. He seems to be doing alright. Another adult male spent a good portion of the afternoon floating around and vocalizing by the docks in front of the boat ramp. It looked for a while like he was going to haul ashore for the night but it was not to be.
HUMAN INTERACTION: One rental boat from Pedder Bay Marina spent about an hour in the area sightseeing and taking pictures of the wildlife. A Coast Guard helicopter landed a crew this afternoon to perform some maintenance on the solar panels, storage batteries, fog horn and beacon on top of the tower.
This afternoon I undertook to clean our specimen tank. A lot of the sediments carried by the water we pump in never gets a chance to make the return trip to the ocean. As a result it settles in the tank and needs to be removed periodically. So all the specimens were transferred to another tank; the main tank emptied, cleaned and restocked.
Have a look on camera 1.
More tomorrow
Chris
posted by Chris Blondeau at 11:42 AM
Student group to Race Rocks
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Good Afternoon
Weather: Sunny and clear >> >> Vis 17 miles >> >> Wind East 5 Knots >> >> Sea Rippled
MARINELIFE: The good news is the Elephant Seal appears to have freed himself from the grip of the rope we reported yesterday. He has a scar but let’s hope he is OK. Calm winds this morning and lots of Eagle action with 1 immature and 5 mature.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Garry and the racerocks.com activity students ashore to shoot some archive video this afternoon. Pearson divers aboard Second Nature diving off West Rocks in ideal conditions. One eco-tour boat so far today.
Chris Blondeau takes over from me later today. I am sorry to leave!!!
[02/26/2002 2300hrs | Chris Blondeau
Weather: Sunny and clear >> >> Vis 17 miles >> >> Wind East 5 Knots >> >> Sea Rippled
MARINELIFE: The good news is the Elephant Seal appears to have freed himself from the grip of the rope we reported yesterday. He has a scar but let’s hope he is OK. Calm winds this morning and lots of Eagle action with 1 immature and 5 mature.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Garry and the racerocks.com activity students ashore to shoot some archive video this afternoon. Pearson divers aboard Second Nature diving off West Rocks in ideal conditions. One eco-tour boat so far today.
Chris Blondeau takes over from me later today. I am sorry to leave!!!
[02/26/2002 2300hrs | Chris Blondeau
Change of watch
Started my tour of duty at 1630hrs
HUMAN INTERACTION: Late afternoon we were visited by one eco-tour boat and two Zodiacs. One from the department of Fisheries and the other belonging to the Victoria Police, both patrolling together.
Great sunset again tonight. “Red skies at night are a sailors delight” Later-on a bright moon came up and created some stunning visuals. The lighthouse was backlit by the moon and casting a long shadow on the ground, while the beacon rotating above sent rays of light all around. If you are a movie buff and are familiar with the CASTLEROCK ENTERTAINMENT logo; you get the picture. Took some video of the scene using both normal and night vision exposure settings. I hope the footage is good enough to be useable.
Everything around was quiet and still. Only the familiar Humm of the generator in the background. A reminder that unlike the other inhabitants of Race Rocks humans are fragile and high maintenance creatures.
More tomorrow
posted by Angus Matthews at 4:16 PM
Started my tour of duty at 1630hrs
HUMAN INTERACTION: Late afternoon we were visited by one eco-tour boat and two Zodiacs. One from the department of Fisheries and the other belonging to the Victoria Police, both patrolling together.
Great sunset again tonight. “Red skies at night are a sailors delight” Later-on a bright moon came up and created some stunning visuals. The lighthouse was backlit by the moon and casting a long shadow on the ground, while the beacon rotating above sent rays of light all around. If you are a movie buff and are familiar with the CASTLEROCK ENTERTAINMENT logo; you get the picture. Took some video of the scene using both normal and night vision exposure settings. I hope the footage is good enough to be useable.
Everything around was quiet and still. Only the familiar Humm of the generator in the background. A reminder that unlike the other inhabitants of Race Rocks humans are fragile and high maintenance creatures.
More tomorrow
posted by Angus Matthews at 4:16 PM
Elephant seal tangled
Monday, February 25, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 4c >> >> Min 2c >> >> Reset 4c >> >> Rain none
MARINELIFE: Lots of Elephant Seal action today with one in the west bay and one on the slipway. Took lots of video. One on Centre Rock is still tangled in line. Two mature and one immature Bald Eagles here in the morning. Still three pairs of geese.
HUMAN INTERACTION: One ecotour boat and a short visit from Second Nature to drop off supplies. An airplane flew over the MPA at a fairly low (500 ft?) altitude and circled the MPA three times.
posted by Angus Matthews at 9:25 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 4c >> >> Min 2c >> >> Reset 4c >> >> Rain none
MARINELIFE: Lots of Elephant Seal action today with one in the west bay and one on the slipway. Took lots of video. One on Centre Rock is still tangled in line. Two mature and one immature Bald Eagles here in the morning. Still three pairs of geese.
HUMAN INTERACTION: One ecotour boat and a short visit from Second Nature to drop off supplies. An airplane flew over the MPA at a fairly low (500 ft?) altitude and circled the MPA three times.
posted by Angus Matthews at 9:25 PM
Tangled Elephant seal
Sunday, February 24, 2002
Good Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 6.0c >> >> Min. 1.5c >> >> Reset 4.5c >> >> Rain 0.4mm
MARINELIFE: Took some great still photos today of a very cooperative and photogenic Elephant Seal that hauled out on the South West Rocks about noon today. (we will post them soon) Some very sad Elephant Seal news from the Centre Rock however. There was some activity out there yesterday as a large animal hauled out. Today, through the spotting scope it became clear this animal has a rope around his neck just ahead of the flippers. It would appear this is quite serious as the line is very tight. Our total Elephant Seal count is four right now so it looks like this is one of our regulars. Chris Blondeau had a closer look from Second Nature this afternoon so he may have more information. I regret there is nothing we can do despite the fact this is the result of human disregard for the oceans and the critters that call it home. We would never get close enough to administer a sedative or catch the big guy before he took to the water. We will keep a close watch on him and hope he can free himself. Two mature Bald Eagles were around most of the day sometimes on the high rock here on Great Race and often on the East Rock. Our three pairs of Canada Geese are getting along much better today.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Only two ecotour boats in the MPA today. My wife Sandy and our friends Cathy Denny and David Anderson returned to the “mainland” (Vancouver Island) at 15:40 so now I am the sort of lonely eco-guardian. Great sunset and now a near full moon in a clear sky. It’s Race Rocks and there is no place like it!
WORLD EVENTS: Today Canada won Olympic Gold in men’s hockey. We caught it on CBC Radio the old fashioned way and cheered them on from Race Rocks.
posted by Angus Matthews at 7:18 PM
TEMPERATURE: Max. 6.0c >> >> Min. 1.5c >> >> Reset 4.5c >> >> Rain 0.4mm
MARINELIFE: Took some great still photos today of a very cooperative and photogenic Elephant Seal that hauled out on the South West Rocks about noon today. (we will post them soon) Some very sad Elephant Seal news from the Centre Rock however. There was some activity out there yesterday as a large animal hauled out. Today, through the spotting scope it became clear this animal has a rope around his neck just ahead of the flippers. It would appear this is quite serious as the line is very tight. Our total Elephant Seal count is four right now so it looks like this is one of our regulars. Chris Blondeau had a closer look from Second Nature this afternoon so he may have more information. I regret there is nothing we can do despite the fact this is the result of human disregard for the oceans and the critters that call it home. We would never get close enough to administer a sedative or catch the big guy before he took to the water. We will keep a close watch on him and hope he can free himself. Two mature Bald Eagles were around most of the day sometimes on the high rock here on Great Race and often on the East Rock. Our three pairs of Canada Geese are getting along much better today.
HUMAN INTERACTION: Only two ecotour boats in the MPA today. My wife Sandy and our friends Cathy Denny and David Anderson returned to the “mainland” (Vancouver Island) at 15:40 so now I am the sort of lonely eco-guardian. Great sunset and now a near full moon in a clear sky. It’s Race Rocks and there is no place like it!
WORLD EVENTS: Today Canada won Olympic Gold in men’s hockey. We caught it on CBC Radio the old fashioned way and cheered them on from Race Rocks.
posted by Angus Matthews at 7:18 PM
Balloon pollution !
Good Morning
WEATHER: Sky Overcast –Vis 7 Miles — Moderate Rain — Wind NNE 18 Knots –Sea 1 foot chop.
posted by Angus Matthews at 7:24 AMGood Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 5.0c >Min 4.2c >Reset 4.8c > Rain 6.0
MARINE LIFE: A day of some confusion as a total reorganisation of the Centre Rock occurred when a large male Elephant Seal returned to the rock and everyone had to trade places. Some confusion for the geese as well with the arrival of a third pair starting a turf war. Only 1 mature and 1 immature Bald Eagle seen today about 16:45.
WEATHER: Sky Overcast –Vis 7 Miles — Moderate Rain — Wind NNE 18 Knots –Sea 1 foot chop.
posted by Angus Matthews at 7:24 AMGood Evening
TEMPERATURE: Max. 5.0c >Min 4.2c >Reset 4.8c > Rain 6.0
MARINE LIFE: A day of some confusion as a total reorganisation of the Centre Rock occurred when a large male Elephant Seal returned to the rock and everyone had to trade places. Some confusion for the geese as well with the arrival of a third pair starting a turf war. Only 1 mature and 1 immature Bald Eagle seen today about 16:45.
HUMAN INTERACTION: One dive charter boat with 4 divers aboard in the MPA during the morning and 2 eco-tour boats through in the afternoon. One rental boat 14K-37805 with two people aboard set up to fish just west of the engine room but left when hailed and waved off. A TRIDENT submarine was observed steaming (or reacting) west out of the strait for places unknown under the oceans. One other unusual environmental impact today; as a consequence of a political protest at the BC legislature some 12 nautical miles from Race Rocks. Three blue balloons with the Hospital Employee’s Union logo floated through the MPA carried on the ebb tide and a NNE breeze. Unfortunate pollution.
I was joined by my wife Sandy and our friends Cathy Denny and David Anderson who are staying overnight as deputy assistant guest Eco-guardians. This resulted in a great dinner of Red Snapper. (NOT taken from the MPA!)
posted by Angus Matthews at 9:32 PM
I was joined by my wife Sandy and our friends Cathy Denny and David Anderson who are staying overnight as deputy assistant guest Eco-guardians. This resulted in a great dinner of Red Snapper. (NOT taken from the MPA!)
posted by Angus Matthews at 9:32 PM