The 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.
September 5, 2015
Salish Sea, PNW
A few scenes from my latest trip out around Whale Rocks the other day for our late Bucket this Wednesday.
We take the boat out regularly, every ten days or so, to spin new barnacles off the prop and to see what's happening offshore. The conditions and wildlife change through the seasons out at sea as they do on land.
Most particularly I was interested to see the Steller Sea Lion situation out at Whale Rocks after reading matching mole's recent account of his nature-watching trip past there.
Weather was moving in from the south, giving the sky a dramatic feel, dark behind the occasional illumination of sun still up this way. A storm arrived that night bringing a deluge of rain, unprecedented at this time of year.
Hall rock, with white gulls on one end, black cormorants the other:
The smaller of Whale Rocks, covered with Brandt's cormorants and some GW gulls:
(All photos by me. In Lightbox...click to enlarge)
The larger of Whale Rocks had several big groups of golden Steller Sea Lions.
Harbor Seals are still hauling out there, so there are still Sea Lions to come. That large form behind the seals is a sea lion. They are MUCH bigger than seals. Curiously, even though Stellers are known to attack seals, they pose no threat hauled out. All are resting comfortably, dozing, casting a glance towards boats that go by, like us. Whale Rocks is a routine stop for all whale-watch tours; these seals and sea lions are accustomed to boats.
After circling around the Rocks we headed back. Saw two shy Harbor Porpoises in the always-turbulent water east of the Rocks.
Crossed paths with a Sea Lion heading toward the Rocks. It yawned. Not a roar - I'd have heard that! even over boat noise. Sea Lions have magnificent and deep penetrating growls.
Also out in mid-water, a small group of Common Murres. The big gatherings of adults and newly fledged youngsters have dispersed now. These are losing their sharp summer pattern, taking on the mottled gray of winter.
These Rhinoceros Auklets are still in their brilliant horned breeding plumage. Other groups have transitioned into the uniform gray/brown of winter.
Ohai...seals watch us passing their favored haulout nooks below the Cezanne Wall. At least one is small, likely one born this summer. Youngsters are on their own now.
And back to our anchorage in the bay. It's only a few miles out to the Rocks but our boat is so slow it takes us at least an hour and a half to make the circuit. A very pleasant afternoon.
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All nature observations welcome in the comments of this late Bucket. Tell us what's up in nature where you live.
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