This is the warmest day of spring that we've had so far! It was a beautiful 80 degrees. I was lured into a sense of complacency and forgot to bring my jacket. No matter how warm it is on land, it is freezing on the water. We keep a large selection of blankets on board and the other naturalist had a jacket I could use. The customers were also lured into a deceptive sense of warmth, and many were wearing flip flops and shorts. Couples huddled under blankets for warmth.
We had a minus tide and a large exchange today, so the cureent ran through San Juan Channel reaching 5 knots at its peak. Because of the minus tide, harbor seals were hauled out onto lone exposed rocks everywhere we looked. Not exactly piled on top of eachother, they keep about a foot of space between them. Harbor seal females only stay with their pups for about 6 weeks, and that is the most gregarious relationship of their life. They give birth once a year and gestate for 9 months.
Speaking of babies, today was the second day after Tristan, one of our naturalists, discovered a nest of 2 peregrine falcon chicks. They are on the cliff side at Turn Point Lighthouse, Stuart Island. Cleverly disguised in gray and white down, they look like statues, made from the rock. One of the main things that distinguishes them from their environment is their movement. The peregrines were accompanied by nesting Double Crested Cormorants in their stacked nests.
Lauren Sands, Naturalist