Mary Oliver’s poem has become cliche but today I have thought about her words “Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life” from the poem “The Summer Day”. Being here on RR is a good thing to do with “my one life”.  It has been a day of quiet observations, as she says, “how to be idle and blessed “. It started at 5:30 a.m. with a spectacular sunrise. It continued with FOUR different whale sightings of Orcas and Humpbacks. There is a newly hatched chick in the nest right beside the basement door. It is one day old and another chick is working its way out. Of course, this is happening all over the island. Life is happening on Race Rocks and it’s mesmerizing.

Two elephant seals were seen swimming from the lighthouse by Seal Rocks. One was swimming by the boat ramp this evening and the other pulled out on the South Island (picture below). It looks like an immature male,

Elephant Seal

Work

Solar panels cleaned

Lamp room cleaning continues

Batteries all checked

Visitors

This morning there were about 20 ecotourism boats through the pass, a massive cruise ship is in Victoria Harbour, perhaps supplying clientele

Weather

Initially the sea and wind were calm. At about noon the wind picked up and at 5 pm it is a westerly at 20 knots. Clear skies all day.

Herring regurgitated by startled gull

Breathing and not yet born

a spectacular sunrise