We’ve been hearing Elephant Seal vocalizations at night, but haven’t seen anyone lurking around on the boat ramp. After taking the Race Rocks boat ‘Neighbor’ for a rip we spotted this cutie hiding at the summit of Middle Rock. Courtney used the ‘socketed’ pectoral flipper to differentiate the elephant seal from the surrounding sea lions. After that she started making visits to the boat ramp first thing in the morning. Not pregnant, didn’t give birth, just hanging around.

Female Elephant Seal wallowing at the jetty.

Female Elephant Seal complaining about the noise at Middle Rocks to the NW.

We also got a California Sea Lion hanging out next to the crane with a red flipper tag on his right flipper. We haven’t been able to figure out what this tag identifies yet.

California Sea Lion with a red tag in his ‘flipper-pit’.

No number or identification, just a red clip.

The coveted ‘end of the jetty’ position is all about leverage, and not letting anyone new join the party.

Mammals:

• Stellar Sea lions: 126
• California Sea lion: 153
• Harbour Seal: 48
• Northern Elephant Seal: 1

Birds

• Gulls: 45
• Cormorants: 38
• Eagle: 1 Adult, 2 Juvenile
• Turnstones: 14
• Canada Geese: 5 – 2 breeding pairs
• Oystercatcher: 22
• Pigeon Guillemots: 26

Boats

• Recreation Salmon Fishing: 18
• Tourism: 4
• Sailboats: 4

Weather must be improving as we’re seeing more sailboats cruising around the Juan de Fuca.

The Stellers diminished this week and started using the fringes after the sea lion pileup from last week.

I try to remember to include the Bald Eagles, they’ve been pretty lazy these days.

Kayaking the rapids at Race Rocks looks pretty fun.

A log kept bumping into her butt and making her angry. Hard life of an Elephant Seal.