Sea state: white caps, fast moving water, waves and swells up to 1 m
Visitors/Boats:
There have been no visitors to the island and no boats within the reserve
Ecological:
There is a new goose nest with one egg so far established in the middle of the island where the footpaths intersect
The young pup has seemed particularly inactive recently, and we have not seen her in the water for some time. Nick mentioned to us when he visited that she seems to have gained weight so we are not overly concerned. She spends most of her time near the jetty behind her favorite fence post.
The goose with an injured leg continues to limp around the island, but seems to be making do and there are no signs of deteriorating condition.
The eagle activity has been steady, aside from today with these strong winds
The seagulls are beginning to pull the grass and collect other debris for nesting, but no established nests so far.
Maintenance:
The generator is still out of commission, but we have been taking in a substantial amount of solar energy. Combined with the smaller generator contributing, our batteries have remained healthy. We are conserving water heavily until the new part arrives, as the desalination process requires a sizable amount of electricity.
Felted sea lion fur
Goose down clinging to rocks
Abandoned goose nest behind fuel shed
E103, “Erica” enjoying the sprinkle from a punctured fire hose
Wind: yesterday variable 2-28 knots, today W 7-38 knots Sea State: yesterday calm, today rippled in morning and up to 1 m chop in evening Visibility: both days 15 NM Sky: both days clear Temperature: yesterday 7-13 °C, today 8-11 °C Atmospheric CO2: 415.81 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
Today is my last full day on the island before the shift changeover. Tomorrow morning, Mara and Kai will arrive to take over as Ecoguardians. They were here last year from May to September.
I spent the past two days finishing up some tasks around the island and cleaning. I also took time to walk around the island and get a look at all of the incredible species, land and shoreline that make up this ecological reserve.
There were no boats in the ecological reserve.
See the photos below for some views from around the island.
The combination of clear water and low tide make it easy to see lots of colourful seaweeds, surfgrass, urchins and other intertidal species.
Two swallows were fluttering around the island yesterday. This one landed on the a cable on the winch long enough for me to take a photo.
At first I thought it was barn swallows, but then with the help of a field guide realized it’s a violet-green swallow.
The sun peering over the horizon at 6:20 this morning.
The lighthouse just after sunrise this morning. The moon, in its third quarter, can be seen to the south.
A thayer’s gull with a Canada goose egg in its beak.
Can you spot the juvenile elephant seal in the middle of the photo, amongst the group of california sea lions?
A beautiful sunset on the edge, where the land meets the sea meets the sky.
The following resight histories were provided by Dr. Patrick Robinson, Director of Año Nuevo Reserve in California. The five elephant seals listed are presently at Race Rocks.
Animal: 48288, tags: GD019R-iu-So,GD018L-ol-So
Season 2017
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GD019
0
48288
297540
2017-02-01
AP
P
UK
C. Casey
GD019
0
48288
298632
2017-02-09
BBS
W
B. McDonald
GD019
0
48288
298988
2017-02-11
BBS
W
M
P. Morris
GD019
0
48288
299787
2017-02-15
BBSU
W
M
P. Morris
GD019
0
48288
301742
2017-02-23
BBS
GD019R-iu-So,GD018L-ol-So
THIS IS THE SECOND 30C, THE FIRST ONE WAS WEIGHED AT NP
W
M
5
C. Nasr
Season 2019
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GD019
1
48288
330944
2018-04-19
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018
Observed by Laas Parnell
juv
other
GD019
2
48288
330943
2019-04-09
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018
Observed by Laas Parnell
juv
other
Season 2020
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GD019
3
48288
335337
2019-12-14
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018
Observed by Laas Parnell
juv
other
GD019
3
48288
335420
2019-12-29
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD019R,GD018L-ol-So
reported by Nick Townley (eco-guardian)
juv
other
GD019
3
48288
347129
2020-04-01
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018L-ol-So,GD019R-i
Observed by Race Rocks ecoguardian Nick Townley and confirmed with photo. Seal is in great body condition but fur/skin is in poor condition.
SA1
M
other
GD019
3
48288
347638
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GD018,GD019
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)
juv
0
other
Animal: 49134, tags: GE103R-ou,GE135R-il-si
Season 2018
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE103
0
49134
313030
2018-02-05
NP0N
With G7644, Card # 548, but not her original pup. It was raised jointly by G9454 and G7644 after G7644 lost her own pup.
P
P. Morris
GE103
0
49134
313518
2018-02-06
NP0N
Is with female 9454 but female 7644 is squabbling with her trying to reach the pup. This is a separate pup from the one marked 76 on LSh.
Also has 2 blotches on top of its shoulders,
P
P. Morris
GE103
0
49134
314153
2018-02-09
NP1
nursing from female 9454 but 7644 was near
P
P. Robinson
GE103
0
49134
314987
2018-02-13
NP0
With Female G7644, Card # 548. It remains to be seen if this is the same pup that is marked 644 L and blotches on top of its shoulder.
6 is backwards, mark almost on ventral side
P
T. Keates
GE103
0
49134
315582
2018-02-15
NP0
looks like it could be with either G7466 or G9454
P
R. Holser
GE103
0
49134
316021
2018-02-17
NPG0
This is FOR SURE the pup of 9454 and not 7644. The pup of 7644 is 76. This is one of my study pups that has been adopted by 7644.
W
J. Linossier
GE103
0
49134
316052
2018-02-19
NP
GE103R-ou
One of Juliette Linossier’s study animals
W
C. Casey
GE103
0
49134
316341
2018-02-20
NP0S
also 644 L
W
F
P. Morris
GE103
0
49134
316497
2018-02-22
NP
GE103L-ou-So
also has 476? on belly
W
T. Keates
GE103
0
49134
316665
2018-02-23
NP
GE103R-ou-Si
Noticed marks on L and R, but could not read them.
W
R. Cuthbertson
GE103
0
49134
316693
2018-02-23
NP
GE135R-il-si,GE103L-ou-si
Juiliette study animal. genetic sample AF00375791
database has disagreement on placement of GE103
also 476 on the right and the 6 is backwards
W
F
25
L. Johansen
Season 2019
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE103
0
49134
318448
2018-04-17
BBSL
GE135R,GE103L-ou-Si
W
100
Robinson class
GE103
0
49134
318974
2018-04-17
BMB
GE103L-ou-Si,GE135R-il-Si
Cathy Debier 4x blubber biopsy
original tag location for GE103 was incorrect
W
F
100
P. Robinson
Season 2020
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE103
2
49134
334454
2019-09-07
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103L-ou
Observed by Mara Radawetz @ Race Rocks Colony Confirmed by photograph. Seal looks healthy and in good body condition
juv
other
GE103
2
49134
334574
2019-10-01
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103
reported by Laas Parnell
juv
other
GE103
2
49134
334575
2019-10-11
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103
juv
F
other
GE103
2
49134
346669
2020-03-23
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103L-ou,GE135R-il
reported by Nick Townley and confirmed with photo
juv
0
other
GE103
2
49134
347639
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GE103,GE135
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)
juv
0
other
Animal: 52226, tags:
Season 2020
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
52226
346670
2020-03-23
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
PT563,PT562
reported by Nick Townley and confirmed with photo
ad
F
0
other
Season 2021
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
52226
347640
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
PT562,PT563
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)
ad
F
100
other
Animal: 50727, tags: GE779R-iu-so,GG512L-ol-si
Season 2019
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE779
0
50727
329337
2019-02-20
NP3
P
C. Casey
GE779
0
50727
329365
2019-02-23
NP3
W
M. Emard
GE779
0
50727
329392
2019-02-23
NP3
GE779R-iu-so
W
P. Robinson
GE779
0
50727
329711
2019-02-24
NPG3
W
E Levy
Season 2020
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GE779
0
50727
330651
2019-03-12
NPD
GG512L-ol-si,GE779R-iu-so
W
M
99
P.Robinson
GE779
1
50727
347641
2020-04-12
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GG512R,GE779L
Observed by Nick Townley (Race Rocks Ecoguardian)
juv
other
Animal: 48066, tags: GC887R-iu-So
Season 2017
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GC887
0
48066
298641
2017-02-09
BMC
P
B. McDonald
GC887
0
48066
298732
2017-02-10
BMS
W
T. Barclay
GC887
0
48066
298955
2017-02-11
BMC
P
P. Morris
GC887
0
48066
299024
2017-02-12
BMS
P
M. Voisinet
GC887
0
48066
300206
2017-02-21
BMN
W
T. Russell
GC887
0
48066
300244
2017-02-21
BMC
W
E Levy
GC887
0
48066
300257
2017-02-21
BMC
GC887R-iu-So
W
R. Holser
GC887
0
48066
300557
2017-02-22
BMC
W
P. Morris
GC887
0
48066
302743
2017-03-10
BBNS
GC887R
W
P. Morris
Season 2019
OrigTag
Age
AnimalID
ResightID
Date
Area
Tags Read
Comment
TagComm
MarkComm
Age
Sex
Mlt
Observer
GC887
2
48066
330772
2019-03-26
Race Rocks, B.C. Canada
GC887R-iu-So
Also reported present at Race Rocks in December 2017 and December 2018.
Wind: yesterday W 0-26 knots, today W 11-38 knots Sea State: both days calm in am and up to 1 m chop in pm Visibility: yesterday 15 NM, today 0-15 NM Sky: yesterday clear, today fog from 7:00-8:00 then clear Temperature: yesterday 7-9 °C, today 7-10 °C Atmospheric CO2: 417.85 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
The youngest elephant seal pup came back ashore, on the east side of the island. She is easy to identify from the scar below her right eye. She spent the evening and night on the southeast side of the house, where she spent several weeks in February and March once she weaned from her mother. Today she had moved around to haul out on the boat ramp and swim in the sheltered water by the jetty.
A new sub adult male elephant seal has joined the other elephant seals. He is a bit smaller than the other sub adult male that joined the last week.
Yesterday there were two visitors, Guy and Corey, in the college boat Second Nature. There were no other boats in the ecological reserve.
The youngest elephant seal pup spent yesterday evening and night by the south east side of the house.
A view to the south
Newly arrived sub adult male elephant seal
Pup practicing swimming in the jetty bay
Canada geese in flight
The fog signal sounded for an hour this morning, before the sky cleared. It hasn’t sounded for almost two months. The fog signal is (3) 60 s, which means three blasts sound and repeat every minute. The more detailed version is blast 2 s; sil. 3 s; blast 2 s; sil. 3 s; blast 2 s; sil. 48 s.
Wind: yesterday W 0-34 knots, today E in am SE in pm 0-16 knots Sea State: both days calm Visibility: yesterday 10-15 NM, today 15 NM Sky: yesterday partly cloudy in morning, clear onwards, today clear Temperature: yesterday 8-11 °C, today 6-13 °C Atmospheric CO2: 415.60 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
A sea otter spent most of yesterday afternoon in the South Channel between South Islands and South Seal Rocks. It ate clams, cleaned itself and rested on the rocks. When it dove underwater to grab some more food, I approached to get a closer view from an indent in rocks on South Seal Rocks. See the 16 second video below.
The last elephant seal pup appears to have left today. She was swimming in the jetty bay for most of the day. When I went out in the boat this afternoon, she was floating by the rocks to the north of the jetty bay. When I returned, she wasn’t there anymore or on the land. All three surviving pups left the island within a week of being three months old. The two others haven’t returned. Presumably, they are off feeding themselves after teaching themselves to swim over the past two months, since they weaned from their mothers.
I moved four wheelbarrows of the remainder of this winter’s supply of wood from the cupboards beside the Energy Building to the basement of the house. That wood should last for any cool or damp days of the spring or fall. I fixed some loose boards on the winch deck and boardwalk. Over the winter, the sea lions were rough on that deck.
A single blast was heard yesterday morning just after 11:00, coming from the demolition training area at Rocky Point.
One pleasure boat was seen in the ecological reserve this evening. The Race Rocks station boat was out this afternoon for a quick trip to Pearson College to pick up groceries.
Just a few big chunks of fir and skin around her middle remain to moult. T562/T653 is almost done.
Sea otter swimming in South Channel in the clear water, as seen from the lantern room of the tower
Deconstructed shore crab
Watching a sea otter from the south side of the island yesterday evening. See the video below.
The full moon rising yesterday evening just after sunset
When I headed out in the boat in the late afternoon, the youngest elephant seal pup was floating in the water by the rocks, near a resting california sea lion.
The view of the ecological reserve coming out of Pedder Bay, passing Bentinck Island.
A video of a sea otter cleaning itself on the south end of the island. A california sea lion pops up twice.
Wind: yesterday variable 0-17 knots, today variable 0-22 knots Sea State: both days rippled Visibility: both days 15 NM Sky: yesterday partly cloudy, today clear Temperature: both days 5-10 °C Atmospheric CO2: 416.03 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
Yesterday morning, I noticed a pod of at least six orcas on the western edge of the ecological reserve. They swam east through Middle Channel, passing just north of the main island. What a treat it was for me to watch them from the front porch. See the photos below.
The older of the two female pups has been gone for the whole day. She left the island at some point early this morning. It’s been 14 days since the oldest of the three surviving pups left the island. Perhaps the pup who left today is following the strict schedule, as she is 14 day younger than the male pup who left 14 days ago.
Today, there were three boats in the ecological reserve: two pleasure craft and one local whale watching boat with two people on board.
This gull managed to snatch an egg from a goose nest
The large dorsal fin of a male orca and a smaller female.
A younger male orca swims by two california sea lions.
Orcas swimming by a juvenile bald eagle. The shorelines of Esquimalt and Victoria are in the background.
The older of the female pups was resting on this spot above the goose nest for two days, before she went for a swim at some point this morning. Notice the calendula flower in her mouth.
This tulip, surrounded by grape hyacinth is taking its time to blossom.
Blue bells are starting to appear in a few place.
The juvenile elephant seal scared away the goose from this nest with two eggs. The goose came back after the seal left.
Wind: yesterday W 15-40 knots, today variable 2-17 knotsSea State: yesterday up to 0.5m chop, today up to 1 m chopVisibility: both days 10-15 NMSky: both days partly cloudyTemperature: both days 4-7 °CAtmospheric CO2: 415.60 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii) … Continue reading →
Wind: yesterday variable 4-40 knots, today W 3-25 knots Sea State: yesterday up to 1 m chop, today rippled Visibility: yesterday 10 NM, today 15 NM Sky: yesterday partly cloudy with rain in morning, today clear Temperature: yesterday 5-8 °C, today 5-7 °C Atmospheric CO2: 415.65 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
I took soundings on all the water and fuel tanks as well as other notable measurements for the month end report. Here are some of the numbers. The desalinator produced 6,650 L of water, which was used mostly for pressure washing the buildings and other cleaning. 540 L of diesel was used to run the generator to top of the batteries, when there wasn’t enough sun to charge the solar panels. The generator ran for 141 hours over the month, for an average of 4.5 hours/day. There were 24 visitors (16 unique visitors) to the island over the course of the month.
No boats were seen in the ecological reserve over the past two days.
See the gallery below for views around the island.
A high concentration of harbour seals on Turbine Rock at low tide
A small midden of deconstructed mossy chitons
Five out of the six elephant seals going for a dip in the jetty bay
Elephant seal pup buddies
Another view of the post sunrise sunny rain, from inside the energy building
Canada geese reflecting pond
A post sunrise double rainbow, while it was sunny raining
Different stages of moulting. The elephant seal on the left has got rid of most of the fur and skin on her head, except a patch on the nose.
Wind: yesterday variable 1-19 knots, today W 5-25 knots
Sea State: yesterday calm, today up to 1 m chop
Visibility: yesterday 10 NM, today 15 NM
Sky: yesterday partly cloudy, today clear
Temperature: yesterday 8-10 °C, today 7-9 °C
Atmospheric CO2: 415.68 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
Today marks a big milestone for me, spending 100 days at Race Rocks. I’ve enjoyed witnessing the entire winter and transition into spring from this incredible ecological reserve on the edge, where the land meets the sea meets the sky.
Lots of chores were done around the island this weekend: cleaning windows, chopping wood rounds with the axe, vacuuming and mopping.
Two pleasure boats were in the ecological reserve today. A lone occupant of on of those boats was fishing near North Rocks.
These daffodils are blooming, as most of the other daffodils on the island are dying back
An intertidal nap for a tired elephant seal pup who was practicing swimming through the night
Rush hour on the boat/seal ramp
The moulting is progressing quickly for one of the female adult elephant seals.
Washing screens to install on the windows as fly season returns
Wind: yesterday mostly from W 4-22 knots, today N-NE 2-9 knots
Sea State: yesterday calm in morning 0.5m chop in afternoon, today calm
Visibility: both days 5-15 NM
Sky: yesterday overcast with patches of rain and sun, today partly cloudy
Temperature: both days 6-8 °C
Atmospheric CO2: 415.43 ppm (recorded by NOAA at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii)
There were no boats in the ecological reserve over the past two days.
The youngest elephant seal pup practicing her water skills in the shallow water by the boat ramp and jetty.
Recently, the harbour seals have been hauling out around the shoreline of main island and nearby shoals. In the winter, they only hauled out on the outer islands away from the boisterous sea lions.
More harbour seals
A Canada goose sitting on a nest made of grass and feathers. She lay seven eggs about the size of tennis balls.
The older of the two female pups likes daffodils.
The adult female elephant seals are showing more signs of moulting. This one on the left has shed some of her whiskers as well as fur around her eyes, nose and mouth. The white stuff is snot.
A view from the tower of a sea otter grooming itself on the intertidal rock near three harbour seals.
A sea otter napping in the water. Can you see the camouflaged harbour seal on the left?
Another view from ground level of the sea otter grooming itself on a rock with a harbour seal looking on.
A song sparrow perched on a rock ledge on the south side of the house. The succulent plant growing around the rocks is called sedum anglicum or English stonecrop, an introduced species from a lightkeeper in the 1980’s.
