It was a bit longer between our regular boat excursions than we like when we went out this time, and there were a couple of signs time had passed. First, the steering wheel pulls to the right, meaning there’s a buildup of weed and who knows what else on the rudder, and secondly, when we rounded Whale Rocks it was clear the big shift of the season had occurred in our absence.
The Steller Sea Lions are completely gone, off to their summer rookeries on the British Columbia coast to breed. Whale Rocks, a mile offshore where tidal currents swirl and race as the ocean forces its way into the narrow passages of the islands, is their major haulout site in this area. It’s relatively safe and has great fishing, deep water on one side and a huge kelp bed on the other. The Rocks were almost quiet this day — no roaring, that booming Steller-sea-lion-sound that carries for miles even through the sound of waves. A few gulls were calling. About 30 of our resident Glaucous-winged gulls perched and soared there as they do throughout the year. As we rounded the southern rock, all the gulls lifted off, circling and screeching at something below. Following the direction of their interest, I saw a River Otter scrambling up the rock, heading purposefully to the top!
wet River Otter and Glaucous-winged gullsThe Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. |