However ~ I phoned the harbour authority today to find out more after Elaine asked if this raft was set up specifically for the sea lions. Oh my! The float is definitely NOT there for the sea lions, but is one of several floating breakwaters to prevent wave action caused by the westerly winds. Apparently last year, the sea lions did $20,000 worth of damage to the fishing boats. They also eat 600 lbs of herring a day, and let's just say what goes in, has to come out which causes a high concentration of coliform bacteria. The term "akin to a raft of floating rodents" was used (which caught me off guard and made me laugh). So there is the flip side of a rowdy raft of sea lions!
I wonder if this male Surf Scoter paddling along nearby had any idea of what he was floating amongst ...
Thanks for leaving encouraging comments and asking questions ... I learn a lot more that way!
Wow! That's a lot of interesting information. Man and wildlife have always struggled to coexist, BUT life always finds a way!!!Oh Glo....I'm so thrilled you posted this, you have NO idea how many times I watch and re-watch your videos....seriously, I don't have this type of wildlife on my doorstep, so the LEAST you can do is give me three fixes a day.....I'm thinking sea eagles, seals.....AND BEARS!!!! Yes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Snowbird ~ I'm so pleased you enjoy my photos and videos. I'll see what I can do about getting more wildlife photos ... I'll be on a quest!
DeleteMy goodness!! I've just caught up with this and the previous post Glo and when I put the first video on I thought, at the beginning, that I was listening to a very avant-garde musical work with human voices, what an incredible noise they make! It's just amazing to think that you can see them so easily and close to home too. As for 600 lbs of Herring a day, wow! They certainly do look hefty creatures though. Very interesting videos and photos and a fascinating read too :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Humming bird info. I also did some googling and found that they need to eat every ten to fifteen minutes which of course would make the long journey over the water to reach the UK impossible :-(
Hi ShySongbird ~ Your comment about the noise coming from your computer made me laugh! Yes, the sea lions are very loud creatures and huge, too. Glad you enjoyed the photos and videos.
DeleteThe harbour master was very restrained. I am surprised he didn't assume you were a hoax call.
ReplyDeleteThe harbour master was a 'she', and she was more than happy to answer my questions and offered some interesting information.
DeleteGreat pictures, they are interesting creatures. Great capture of the scooter.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian. Interesting creatures, indeed ~ Yes, I was happy with the scoter photo ~ quite a unique looking sea duck!
DeleteSadly there's nearly always a downside to things as this post all too vividly illustrates.
ReplyDeleteI like the name 'Surf Scoter' as it sounds like a cartoon character. Flighty xx
Hi Flighty ~ yes, always pros and cons involved. Surf Scoter looks like a cartoon character too!
DeleteThat's a helluva lot of poop and fish - I wonder do they stay there year round?
ReplyDeleteLOL Yes, that's for sure ;)
DeleteThis site
http://www.vancouverisland.com/wildlife/?id=101
explains more about the sea lions and their behaviours, and answers more questions that I can :)
Hmmm. Seems less appealing to swim out and pet the seals! But good to know!
ReplyDelete