Tag Archives: elephant seals

Enter the Merry Month of May

Posted on by

The wind was just a zephyr today, with a weightless push from south, then southwest, and then nothing for a while. Not much to sail with and the flag hung lifelessly. The barometric pressure was similarly lethargic, going up ever so slightly, then down by about the same. The strong wind warning continues, so it may get here by Sunday evening and the forecast is for sunshine.

There were no whale-watching boats in the Ecological Reserve today although a sports fishing boat came by to look at the sealions in the evening. One rental boat from Pedder Bay with three men, insisted on fishing for and catching rockfish in the closed Rockfish Conservation Area, while the regulars were well outside. There needs to be more notification and communication about where the conservation area is located.

The bull kelp has reached the surface at low tides and is forming fairly massive beds around Turbine Rock where the Sea Otter likes to hang-out. In by the jetty where the current is less active it is at the surface all the time now and some of it is very reproductive, with large sori patches visible on the fronds.

Bull kelp fixes carbon faster than just about anything and grows so fast it makes bamboo look like it is standing still.

Bull kelp fixes carbon faster than just about anything and grows so fast it makes bamboo look like it is standing still.

Bull kelp sori

You can easily see where reduction division (meiosis) happens in the lighter yellow spore patches. You can also see where early patches have popped out of the frond and drifted off.

 

The pair of geese nesting at the base of the light-tower were out walking their goslings today. It looks like five out their eight eggs successfully hatched. The gander belonging to another, younger pair gave himself a real scare today, walking past the basement door where he could see his own reflection. That was really troubling to the pair and also very noisy. The gulls are also noisily going about their business.

Gwgu mate gwgu mate2

The elephant seals continue to moult although a few of them are down to just a few eyebrow hairs now. The younger males seem to be the last to moult and the most active. The same 12 to 14 individuals continue to frequent Great Race.

This almost three year old male (#5850) continues to spend day and night on Great Race. He has finally started to moult.

This almost three year old male (#5850) continues to spend day and night on Great Race. He has finally started to moult.

This young female is ahead of the young males in her moult.

This young female is ahead of the young males in her moult.

California Sealions were hauled out on Great Race today for the first time since I arrived in March and there was a male Californian (sealion) on the jetty that didn’t want to leave when I went down to sample seawater in the afternoon.

The solar panels were well supplied with sunlight today and produced enough energy to run the de-salinator and top up fresh water supply. The high value was 900 W/m2 and the cumulative amount for the day, at 7:00 PM broke the week’s record.

Untitled

There were no visitors today and maintenance included routine chores and a couple of little projects.

Mirounga Manicure

Posted on by

The west-southwest breeze sprang up early and quickly cleared the low morning cloud, revealing blue skies and a rippled Strait. With a sustained westerly wind of up to 20 knots the ripples grew into chop with whitecaps by mid-morning. It continued to blow in the afternoon rising to a steady 30 knots with gusts over 35. By early evening with the wind relentless, it is rough and streaked in white.

The barometric pressure, that harbinger of weather, slid almost imperceptibly downwards today, yet the forecast for tonight and tomorrow is for more west winds in the same pattern. There was increasing cloud throughout the afternoon.

There were no whale watching boats observed in the Ecological Reserve today and only one sports fisherman who sped through the ER, cutting over to the southwest, his favorite anchorage spot to fish for halibut, just outside the closed area.

The Northern Elephant Seals have moved to a more convenient spot behind the boathouse, which is closer to the water and more in the lee under the heli-pad hill. The moult continues.

 

Mirounga manicure. This right “hand” belongs to the biggest male Mirounga (elephant seal) on the island.

Mirounga manicure. This right “hand” belongs to the biggest male Mirounga (elephant seal) on the island.

 

The same animal making a "fist".

The same animal making a “fist”.

It is fascinating to watch the elephant seals use their digits and make what looks like a fist in a mitten of freshly moulted skin and fur.

Many pairs of gulls are mating now and I observed a pair of Black Oystercatchers doing the same. Some of the oystercatchers may already have eggs. I am taking clues from the raven that frequents the island and is always interested in a couple of pairs’ territories. The raven really riles up the oystercatchers, who fearlessly mob it. It was so windy today that while the chase was on, the raven tried a tuck to avoid being hit by an oystercatcher and almost lost control.

 

The eagles were fishing early but left when the winds came up. The photo below finishes the series I started a few days ago, to show how the eagle tucks the fish up under its tail in flight.

Notice the fish tucked up under the tail.

Notice the fish tucked up under the tail.

There were no visitors today and maintenance chores were routine.

 

Crankypants Has a Number.

Posted on by

By mid-morning, the light southwesterly winds left over from yesterday’s blow had wandered over to south and they stayed southerly until early evening when they turned back to west. The barometer continued the slow ascent begun early yesterday, throughout the day. Although there was a mix of sun and clouds today, light levels were high and reached over 1000 W/m2 at the peak. Forecasters are calling for strong westerly winds again, with a chance of showers Thursday.

Four Whale Watching vessels were noted in the Ecological Reserve today, visiting on return from the west, heading towards Victoria. No sports fishing vessels were noted in the ER.

The Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter (Fisheries and Oceans) dropped by today to service the light, which went dark the night before last. Dave (pilot) and Derek (technician) were a welcome sight in their lovely little Messerschmidt, which was carefully put down at the base of the light tower stairs.

 

Dave and Derek preparing for take off.

Dave and Derek preparing for take off.

Messerschmidt tower heli flag

 

Ten Whimbrels stopped for a rest and a feed today. These amazing migrators are on their way to the arctic tundra from South America and it was a treat to see them here.

Whimbrels stopped for a rest and a feed in the inter-tidal today.

Whimbrels stopped for a rest and a feed in the inter-tidal today.

Whimbrel M

I kept an eye on the Bald Eagles today and yes, they are fishing.

It was a right "hand" catch, transferred to both feet and then tucked up under to the tail to hide it from sight.

It was a right “hand” catch, transferred to both feet and then tucked up under  the tail to hide it from sight.

Baea fish hooked Baea catch

Ten of the elephant seals managed to go through the measuring device today while I was sitting, waiting for them with the camera. I also spotted tags on the young female Northern Elephant Seal with serious skin issues. I may have mentioned her in a previous blog, I called her psoriasis sister last fall and Courtney named her crankypants in spring 2014. She is very vocal and easily disturbed by the other seals. She is usually off by herself but today she was caught in a traffic jam for daily ablutions, which really seemed to upset her. I have observed her many times last fall and this spring but never noticed the tags before. She moves as if in pain, complains loudly and leaves a trail of blood. She has many open wounds that look like holes and cracks. The right tag is number A114 and although it is difficult to read the left side, it is perhaps A476. She has all four tags still.

 

Crankypants has a tag number now A114.

Crankypants has right  tag number  A114.

MianA114R_A476?left?

A branded Steller’s Sealion # 411R was noted today. She looks big for a female but that is what the record says, branded as a pup in July, 2005 at Rogue Reef, which is in the very southern end of Oregon. I will check with Pat Gearin on this identification.

Euju#411RApr29_15

There were no visitors other than the Coast Guard crew and maintenance chores were all routine.

Spring Wind Blowing.

Posted on by

It was a day defined by wind, starting in the wee hours of the morning, with 30 – 40 knot northeasterlies which calmed just after dawn, then switched to equally ferocious westerlies. The afternoon westerly subsided to 20 – 25 knots early then built back up to 25 – 30 knots as I post this log blog.

The barometer’s fall, started Monday, was short-lived: it started to rise again in early hours today and is leveling off as the day ends. The forecast calls for afternoon westerlies tomorrow and the gale warning remains in effect. They are calling for only a 60% chance of showers and precipitation is taking on new meaning here south of latitude 48o18’ N. What we consider normal rain and showers on the outer coast just doesn’t materialize in the same way here in the Mediterranean climate of Race Rocks. It is so much more of a desert than the outer west coast.

I only saw one whale watching boat today and they were travelling east, well south of the Ecological Reserve. Sports fishing boats were also notably absent. Very wise considering the sea state, wind and current conditions today.

The Northern Elephant Seal moult is taking a new dive into the unconscious with fewer hours awake and active. Some animals have not moved more than a few metres in 24 hours. The larger females seem to be leading the race to moult and the two biggest females and largest male are almost 75% moulted. The soft grey fuzz look is taking over from a once brown and tattered look.

Two of the larger animals on the island are close to 75% moulted, a male (left) and female (right). Young males behind are not as far along.

Two of the larger animals on the island are close to 75% moulted, a male (left) and female (right). Young males behind are not as far along.

The seals are also moulting their “whiskers” which are referred to by biologists as vibrissae. It is thought they vibrissae are helpful in detecting vertically migrating prey at depths of greater than 500 meters. Of course it is a bit hard to make observations in situ but recent anatomical work on how these whiskers are enervated revealed over 1500 nerve axons per vibrissae giving more weight to their importance as sensory organs.

This female elephant seal has moutled her facial hair and skin, revealing a soft looking gray fuzz. Note that the "whiskers" and "eyebrows" are also moulting. These are important sensory hairs called vibrissae.

This female elephant seal has moutled her facial hair and skin, revealing a soft looking gray fuzz. Note that the “whiskers” and “eyebrows” are also moulting. These are important sensory hairs called vibrissae.

This young Northern Elephant Seal has moulted most of its skin and fur around the head area.

This young Northern Elephant Seal has moulted most of its skin and fur around the head area. You can also see that it has lost its eyebrow “hairs” also known as vibrissae.

More animals are arriving on Great Race Island and there are now fourteen ‘lawn ornaments’ and the lawn is well a truly crushed (Really beats mowing.)

Stellers Sealions hauled out on South Islets. Note the young, branded animal # 460Y, one up from bottom left.

Stellers Sealions hauled out on South Islets. Note the young, branded animal # 460Y, one up from bottom left.

The Steller’s (or Northern) Sealions, and a few California Sealions continue to haul-out on South Islands and I spotted a brand today on the youngest Steller’s that I have yet to see here. #460Y was branded as a pup at St. George in northern California, in the summer of 2013, making it less than two years old at this stage. There are several other Steller’s Sealions that are the same size and appearance that may also be that young.

 

#460Y was branded in July 2013 . This young animal and probably several others its' size are less than two years old and may still be nursing occasionally.

#460Y was branded in July 2013 . This young animal and probably several others its’ size are less than two years old and may still be nursing occasionally.

 

There were no visitors today and maintenance was routine.

Fine Day in Spite of the Forecast.

Posted on by

Light northeasterly winds brought some morning showers and kept it cool until late morning. The light northeasterly continued in the afternoon but solar radiation levels went up to a high of over 800 watts per m2 bringing up air temperature to a high of over 13oC. The barometer was fairly steady until noon and then started to fall very gradually. The marine forecast has a strong wind warning in effect overnight diminishing to a 20 knot westerly by early afternoon tomorrow. As I write this in the early evening the north-northeasterly is freshening to over 20 knots.

Three whale watching vessels were observed in the Ecological Reserve today… Sports fishing vessels were observed fishing nearby but not in the ER.

More measurements and individual moult progression, observations were made on the Northern Elephant Seals on Great Race today.

A very cooperative "pose" for length measurements. Note the little tail up in the air between the rear flippers.

A very cooperative “pose” for length measurements. Note the little tail up in the air between the rear flippers.

Traffic jam on the elephant seal measuring device.

Traffic jam on the elephant seal measuring device.

Pigeon Guillemots and Glaucous-winged Gulls were observed mating today, so nesting sites will soon be imperative.

Pigeon Guillemots are getting prepared for nesting.

Pigeon Guillemots are getting prepared for nesting.

Six Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) landed on the light-tower and then paid a short low elevation visit to Great Race Island today. This is possibly a new record.

A brief visit was made by six Red-winged Blackbirds.

A brief visit was made by six Red-winged Blackbirds.

Savannah Sparrows may be nesting somewhere nearby: I am still looking for their nests.

At least ten Savannah Sparrows are seen daily now.

At least ten Savannah Sparrows are seen daily now.

There were no new visitors today and maintenance chores were routine.

Killer Whale # T103 possibly.

Posted on by

The day started with a gorgeous sunrise with lots of golden light pouring under a low violet cloud layer, scattering pinks, reds and oranges. The wind was out of the northeast at 10 – 15 knots and stayed that way until early evening when it turned to west. The barometer continued the climb it started Friday morning, until late in the day when it hit ~1020 hPa and levelled out. The forecast is for east winds and rain.

Six whale watching vessels were noted working in the Ecological Reserve today, one in the morning with a videography crew and five in the afternoon associated with the Killer Whales. Five out of six totally respected the reserve and the regulations.

Although the ER was surrounded by Sunday sports fishers, there was no fishing observed in the ER. One sports fishing charter boat, white ~ 21 – 24’ long, came through Middle channel at high speed, heading towards Victoria.

There were Bigg’s Killer Whales (transients) in the area today and we watched as a large male, possibly T103, made his way from Church Island, through Race Passage and on towards Constance Bank, with a bevy of whale watching boats. Five of those boats also passed through the Ecological Reserve

A branded, male Steller’s Sealion was noted today, hauled out on South Islands. He was branded 603R, as a pup in July 2007, at Rogue Reef in southern Oregon. That makes him 8 years old this summer.

Steller's Sealion # 603R is an eight year old male branded in Oregon, near the California border.

Steller’s Sealion # 603R is an eight year old male branded in Oregon, near the California border.

Bald Eagles continue to attack the geese, the Black Oystercatchers continue to gang up on the Raven that may be up to some tricky business with their unsheltered ‘nests’ and the Pigeon Guillemots are spending a lot of time on the jetty and ashore, practicing landing, taking off and walking around. The Glaucous-winged gulls are mating which is quite an acrobatic feat of balance and the Northern Elephant Seal moult is progressing quite fast in the larger animals.

Northern Elephant Seals hauled out near the desalination building.

Northern Elephant Seals hauled out near the desalination building.

 

As the moult progresses, the skin and fur peal off revealing a new, gray look.

As the moult progresses, the skin and fur peal off revealing a new, gray look.

There were no new visitors today and the work/maintenance was routine.

A Changeable Spring Day.

Posted on by

During the early part of the morning, the flag hung vertically, stuck to the flagpole, wetted by fresh rain. Later in the morning, when it occasionally fluttered, it was from almost imperceptible, easterly zephyrs. After lunch it blew north 10-15 knots for a while before switching over to the afternoon westerlies mid afternoon. Although there was significant rain (see figure below) throughout the day, there was also lots of sunlight and we surpassed yesterday’s level by over 30%. The barometer started rising in the early morning and by 17:30 was at 1008 hPa. The forecast for Saturday is for a continuation of the afternoon westerly pattern.

A graph of the past week's rainfall recorded by a Davis instruments tipping bucket rain gauge.

A graph of the past week’s rainfall recorded by a Davis instruments tipping bucket rain gauge. Check the web-site for lots of cool data.

Only one whale watching boat was observed in the Ecological Reserve, just at dusk, although several headed west and back through Race Channel. One sports fishing boat fished very close to the boundary at Rosedale, but clearly outside. The Life Saving vessel ‘Spirit of Sooke V’ came through middle Channel this afternoon at a very stately pace and then swung around and went in between South and Great Islands and returned to the west.

A pod of at least four Killer Whales passed to the south of Race Rocks, heading west at ~07:00. It was not possible to determine which population and there were probably quite a few more than four. They were quite spread out and moving fairly fast, travelling about half way out to the US/Canada border (yellow can buoy) from Race Rocks. A flock of 23 Black Brandt flew through Middle Channel about the same time, also heading west. The Barn Swallows appear to be staying on the island somewhere; at least they were here bright and early. This place is certainly a haven for an insectivore. I hope they stay.

Pigeon Guillemots are members of the auk family, related to murres. They swim underwater using their wings and steer with their feet.

Pigeon Guillemots are members of the auk family, related to murres. They swim underwater using their wings and steer with their feet.

 

Right now they are in their alternate, or breeding plumage, otherwise in the winter their colouring is more like a winter murre or murrelet with lots of white, gray and dark gray.

Right now they are in their alternate, or breeding plumage, otherwise in the winter their colouring is more like a winter murre or murrelet with lots of white, gray and dark gray.

The Pigeon Guillemots are spending more time on land as spring progreses. These true seabirds are ill equipped for walking with their feet used as rudders for underwater flight, and set far back on their muscular little bodies. I don’t think they are actually nesting yet but certainly getting use to land. Their favorite roosting spots are in the surge channel between the energy building and the science house, on the jetty and its’ upland scree and cliff area and on the little cliffs just southeast of the light-tower.

Now that the winds have settled down, the eagles are back and making determined attempts on the Canada geese. They also spend a considerable time on the pinniped haul-out rocks.

I keep expecting the Harlequin Ducks to leave and head for the mountains, where they nest and lead their summer  lives. There are at least four here still and probably more.

Harlequin Ducks are also supreme under-water swimmers and specialize in white water: in rushing mountain rivers and streams in breeding season and in the sea the rest of the time.

Harlequin Ducks are also supreme under-water swimmers and specialize in white water: in rushing mountain rivers and streams in breeding season and in the sea the rest of the time.

A new (to me), young, female Northern Elephant Seal joined the Great Race elephant seal group today bringing the total to nine, five males and four females. #5850, the three year old male, embraced the new female (literally) and although he is the smallest of the males on the island, while the other males were practicing their jousting he had his ‘pinky’ out and was snuggling up to the new arrival. It is the first time I have seen seals hold ‘hands’.

A student group is arrived just before dinner and are staying over. They will be part of a first year biology field trip that will be here most of tomorrow. Work was routine today but the day was anything but routine. Amazing place.

double rainbow

The Day After Blue Planet Day

Posted on by

Winds started out very light from a northerly direction and eventually backed all the way through east, southeast and around to westerlies, 15 to 20 knots and gusting, in the afternoon. Although there were some clouds and showers it seemed to be a nice day, but when you look at cumulative solar radiation values they were less than half of yesterday’s values at just below 300 Langleys. The barometer fell gradually all day and levelled out near dusk ending up at ~100.5 HPa. The strong wind warning remains in effect and is forecast to be strongest in the afternoons for the next few days.

Whale watching boats were back today after the storm subsided and four were observed in the Ecological Reserve. They were meeting and exceeding the Marine Mammal Regulations and although a couple of the smaller cowboys did manage to get between Great Race and South Islands. They were going so slowly and cautiously that the sealions that didn’t even wake up as the boats passed by.

No sports fishers or other vessels were observed in the ER.

Black Turnstones in all their summer finery.

Black Turnstones in all their summer finery.

One branded Steller’s Sealion was noted hauled out on the South Islands. This female with brand # 120Y was born at St. George Reef, California in 2002.

Female Steller's (or Northern) Sealion # 120Y. This animal was born in northern California and will be 13 years old this summer.

Female Steller’s (or Northern) Sealion # 120Y. This animal was born in northern California and will be 13 years old this summer.

Today was animal census day and the results are as follows:

Northern Elephant Seals 34 (8 on Great Race)

Harbour Seals 44 (note 137 counted following day, less windy)

California Sea lions 11

Northern Sea lions 38

Sea Otter 1

Canada Geese 18

Harlequin Ducks 4

Pelagic Cormorants 4

Double Crested Cormorants 5

Bald Eagle 2 adults, 2 sub-adults

Killdeer 1

Black Oystercatchers 10

Black Turnstones 15

Surfbird 23

Dunlin 4

Pigeon Guillemots 383

Glaucous-winged Gulls 488 adults 18 sub-adults

Caspian Tern 1 (flying through)

Common Raven 1

Barn Swallows 2

Savannah Sparrow 6

There were no visitors today. Chores were routine.

 

 

All About the Wind.

Posted on by

The west wind blew all night and by daylight, the 30 to 35 knot winds had sucked in low cloud, rain and rough seas from offshore. Winds increased to 35 gusting to 40 knots in the late morning and continued unabated all afternoon. Air temperature was close to yesterday’s sea surface temperature of 9.7 o C and with the wind chill was hovering around 4oC. Light levels were the lowest of the last week and not even 60% of yesterday. The barometer bottomed out just before midnight last night and has been slowly creeping up and out of its hole today. Gale warnings remain in effect for tomorrow with the wind predicted to turn southeast Thursday.

The only thing not affected by the wind today was the stone tower.

Standing firm after 155 years.

Standing firm after 155 years.

There were no whale-watching tour boats in the Ecological Reserve today. Sea conditions were not conducive.

The ecological focus today was to observe how the mega-fauna behaved in the wind. Only a few sealions hauled out, the remainder rested in the water near the haul-out where it was probably quite a bit warmer without the wind chill factor.

This is a day when having blubber really makes sense.

This is a day when having blubber really makes sense.

The Northern Elephant Seals made a huddle and “took turns” being in the coveted central, heating position. One female slept off by herself, maybe not quite as warm but definitely more peaceful. Only #5850 went for daily ablutions, the others stayed dry, even if a bit mucky.

Female Northern Elephant Seal huddles up to sidewalk.

Northern Elephant Seal huddles up to sidewalk.

Glaucous-winged Gulls hunkered down with heads under wings, keeping a low profile and perhaps holding on with their toenails, as they seemed to totter and grimace during the big gusts. The geese with nests were on them with ganders close by guarding and staying low. The three pairs that are still trying to set up nests were observed chasing gulls . The Bald Eagles, so ubiquitous every other day for the last 25 days, were nowhere to be seen, nor were oystercatchers, turnstones, nor guillemots.

GwGu in wind

Two marine science classes were supposed to visit today but the weather just didn’t cooperate and Courtney wisely cancelled the trips. Thus there were no visitors and chores were basic routine.

 

 

Beautiful Spring Day

Posted on by

The wind didn’t do much until mid-afternoon when the westerly came up and blew 10 – 15 knots. Velocity kept increasing during the afternoon and evening and as the sun was setting it was blowing a steady 30, gusting to 35 knots. It was a very sunny day with 354,000 watt-hours per meter2 accumulated throughout the day. The barometer continued its slow descent begun on Saturday and is heading inexorably towards wet weather in the forecast. Although it is still supposed to blow west tomorrow, with showers, the rest of the week looks darker and wetter.

A couple of whale watching boats were observed in the Ecological Reserve today: both were proceeding with caution, at a minimal speed and staying a respectful distance away from the wildlife. These companies are practicing sustainable wildlife viewing practices. One rental boat was observed speeding in reserve.

The Northern Elephant Seal moult continues and is becoming more visible on the older animals. The measuring device was modified to allow for more accurate length measurements and the animals continued to cooperate by going one by one, down the ramp and into the sea for a swim. #5850, the young male tagged as a weaner in 2012 was stretching bull kelp stipes today, a biomechanics activity done by phycology students everywhere on the west coast. No teeth involved, so no confounding tearing factor.

Northern Elephant Seal #5850 tests the elasticity of bull kelp.

Northern Elephant Seal #5850 tests the elasticity of bull kelp.

 

Another tagged and branded California Sea Lion was photographed today. This one is number 1960 (left side).

California Sealion with brand #1960 hauled out on South Islets. Photo lightened to show up number.

California Sealion with brand #1960 hauled out on South Islets. Photo lightened to show up number.

Two unidentified little birds made a brief appearance, they sounded like blackbirds or starlings some kind. I didn’t get a chance to see them again but caught them on camera.

Identification needed on this pair that made a fleeting visit today.

This pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds made a fleeting visit today. Identification by Dick Cannings Bird Studies Canada. (Thank you.)

There were no visitors today and chores were routine.

Spring flowers on the site of the original garden from the 1860s. A pair of Glaucous-winged Gulls in the backgroud

Spring flowers on the site of the original garden near where the first keeper’s home was built in 1860. A pair of Glaucous-winged Gulls on their chosen site.

What a beautiful day.