Ann's Adventures: All's Calm

Saturday, Aug 6

You couldn't have asked for a nicer day today. Clear skies, calm water all day, moderate temperature--at least here in the middle of the ocean. The day started with a paired seawatch:Daniel Donnecke at Beechy Head and me on Race Rocks. There was a fair amount of movement and we even managed to match up a particular flock of Common Murres which appeared to take only two minutes to make the distance. It was unique in that it was headed up by a Rhinoceros Auklet, although by the time it got to me, it had picked up four more murres.

Seawatch involves identifying and counting tiny specks as they speed past at great distance. These are Common Murres.

Being the weekend, there were many, many boats on the water, including the Second Nature from Pearson College bringing homecoming students around for a reunion tour. While most boaters behave themselves in the ecological reserve, there were a number today that didn't follow the rules. I even got to use the loudhailer to get one of them to slow down!

Pearson College Reunion Tour

Solar panel cleaning reached a new level this morning when, in addition to the usual deposits, I found that a gull had regurgitated a bellyful of sea stars. I've often wondered why they eat these spiny echinoderms. I guess one gull was asking itself the same question.

Work to do!

Sunday brunch

There is so much going on around the island that I forgot to mention one of my most unusual sightings yesterday. Growing up in Victoria, this was a common occurence, but it's been decades since I've seen tugboats guiding log booms into local waters. With no mills here, I have no idea where they were headed or why.

Tugs taking logs into Victoria

Both humpback whales and Orca were seen off Race Rocks today. The easiest way to spot them is to watch for the "parked" whale watching boats. If the boats are going fast, no whales. If they are stopped, watch for the blow!

Two of three Orca in this group

The most unusual bird sighting for the day was a Short-billed Dowitcher on the East Beach, and I finally got an opportunity to get a photo of the Ruddy Turnstone that has been wandering all over the island.

Short-billed Dowitcher

Ruddy Turnstone

Mushu update: Mushu is making himself at home. He still doesn't like looking out the window, but I think he's gotten use to the sights and sounds. It appears that home is where the lap is.