Northern elephant seals at Race Rocks

During the first year field exam at Race Rocks on Friday 12 May (post to follow…), there were 11 northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) that provided both entertainment and answers to the students writing the exam.

Tamar making observations

Big guy on the grass

Interacting elephant seals

One of the questions on the field exam involved observing elephant seals and the seals seemed happy to oblige.

Over the course of the morning, many of the elephant seals made their way to the water.

Heading down to the water

Going down…

Going up…

Meeting on the slipway

On the jetty

Parade into the water

Once in the water, one elephant seal was frolicking in the bull kelp and blowing bubbles.

Some students even tried behaving like elephant seals:

Field exam 2016

On Monday 9 May, 26 Marine Science students travelled to Race Rocks on Hyaku or the Discovery Shuttle (chartered from Ocean River Sports since ‘Second Nature’ is still in the shop) to write their first year field exam.

Do they look like they are off to write an exam?

Discovery shuttle to Race Rocks

Aurora and Adi on Hyaku

Upon arriving at Race Rocks, students received their exam papers and instructions to travel to six stations around the island of Great Race Rock.

Second group of students arrives

Laura gives instructions for station 3

Getting to work at station 3

Ploypailin

Maya

Somchit

Navoneel

Johnny

Ochuko

Mara

Andras

Camila

Zoli

Jill

Kate

Only two significant challenges on this morning:

1. The flies
   

   Ilana and flies

2. Being charged by an elephant seal while collecting data
   

   Ploypailin, Lauren, Xue Meng and Jill were all frightened from collecting data on the jetty by an elephant seal making its way to the water

All in all though a very successful morning. Thanks to Johannah, Malou and Steph for photos and invigilation! – see this link for more wonderful photos.  Thanks to Chris, Reuben (from Ocean River Sports) and Guy for transport to and from Race Rocks. And thanks to Riley and the elephant seals for their hospitality – see this link for Riley’s post on the Race Rocks log about the Marine Science field exam.

Field Exam 2014 – A block

Better late than never, right?  On 16 May 2014, the other class of first year marine scientists (A block) wrote their field exam at Race Rocks.  Here are a few photos of their experience.

Chloe at the PC docks before departing for Race Rocks.

Students working hard:

Measuring the change in the height of the tide over 30 minutes…

Courtney, Ivan & Sophia watching the whale watchers.

Happy students!!

 

Buzurg & Awa measuring the dimensions of the Race Rocks jetty.

 

Elephant seals (?!) on the jetty.

 

Exam is over – time to return to the College.

 

 

Thanks to Sophia for taking photos!

Field Exam 2014 – D block

It was a stunningly beautiful Thursday morning when eight D block marine scientists travelled to Race Rocks to complete their field exam. Students measured, and measured, and wrote, and wrote, and wrote. A very successful morning for the students and for the island wildlife: A giant green anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) feasting on what appeared to be a sea cucumber. There were also many, many elephant seals:   Special thanks to Anne Stewart for preparing the students so well: and to Elliot (PC 39) for the photos.

Field exam 2012

It was sunny and warm with a just gentle breeze yesterday when first year marine scientists went to Race Rocks to complete their last challenge of the year – the field exam!

Students battled the flies…

the elephant seals…

and the goslings!

They managed to collect data and answer exam questions about tide height…

…tidepool temperature and salinity…

       

and other cool stuff.

It was a very successful afternoon at Race Rocks!

Field exam postponed :(

Due to strong winds and big swells, the 2012 first year exam that was supposed to take place at Race Rocks this morning was cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date.

At 6:30 am Mike was observing winds up to 24 knots at Race Rocks and given the forecast for increasing wind (see below), we decided to postpone the field exam.

Forecast Issued 04:00 AM PDT 09 May 2012 for Juan de Fuca Strait:

Gale warning in effect.
Wind west 20 to 30 knots increasing to 30 to 40 this afternoon then diminishing to 20 near midnight. Wind becoming west 10 to 20 Thursday morning then increasing to 20 to 30 Thursday afternoon. Wind diminishing to west 10 to 15 Thursday evening.

Source: Environment Canada Weather Office