For Whom the Bell's Tolls

27 Sep 2016

The lovely eastern Bell's Vireo continued today and Zack found an island bird for Rob, et al.--a Black-throated Sparrow! Its portrait will be featured on a later post as it was seen very poorly on the first day of its stay. Here is the Sep 27th eBird checklist.

In its stead, we have the always lovely Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)--we love them, sharks love them, flies love them. Who could dislike this animal? Well, humans definitely did, for a long time. A long time. And the result of this was near-extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts (money and legislation), this species has staged a spectacular comeback. Elephant seals increase in numbers on the Farallones in the fall and winter and Great White Shark numbers increase accordingly.

Our shared ancestry is obvious. This portrait of a lounging elephant seal was taken in Garbage Gulch

And here we have a guest-portrait by Don Mastwell.

The eastern Bell's Vireo, pre-banding. A lovely life bird for all parties present.

It's True. All of it.

Rumors are to be believed. Rob Rockly and Don Mastwell are heading back out to the Farallones. Rob's trip was cut short by a pesky eyeball infection(?), resulting in some Seriously Missed Birds, but the pain was more obtuse than it could have been.

If rumors suggest that I am already on The Island, those rumors are Lies.

Rumors that I have unfinished business, however, are true. I do have unfinished business. Here you will find business, finished. The final blog of the 2015 season.

First order of business:

107.04	101.1
SCI	SEFI

Alas, it is true. The Stahlian Hordes were able to surge to victory in the great Battle of El Niño. However, a rematch has been ordered and will commence Saturday, 24 September, upon the arrival of Don and Rob on The Island.

Here, now, are your eight missing portraits from 2015. 

[Portait #1 is the new frontispiece of the blog (look up there ^)]

A traditional portrait of a traditional man

This is a Pelagic Cormorant. Contrary to unpopular belief, this is not a snake.

This must be one of the least disappointed bird species that ends up on SEFI, the lovely Rock Wren. Please, friend, inform the Canyon Wrens of our stony bounty.

"Bloody Mary Bloody Mary Bloody Mary" The smaller of these two Elephant Seals (bottom) took a grazing bite from a shark--it was a shallow wound and likely healed right up.

"Hello"

Red-breasted Nuthatches are probably somewhat more disappointed than Rock Wrens. Few things to hatch.

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)

A Pleasure Trip to The Farallones

12-13 September 2015

Another multi-pad, dominated by furred things for lack of feathers. My days grow short but I remain busy with non-blogging.  I apologize to you all: I have not forgotten.

Weather has not smiled kindly upon us: the birds aren't here. September remains in a veritable avian-drought. Fog and strong winds have kept most birds from finding our small and insufficient refuge. Siren-songs from Mastwell and Rockly are belched to no avail. Our near-constant Sulid companions remain a small bright light in this shadowy world as we anxiously await the flood. Will the sparkling hordes arrive before Rob must take his leave?

I won't look like these guys on my return trip.  I just won't do it.

Don Mastwell loves Zalophus, especially this one (Steve). This portrait was commissioned by Don to illustrate his love for the California Sea Lion.

Fact of the day: Northern Elephant Seals are punishingly adorable.

Martin Sheen? Hippo? Wet Elephant Seal.

SCI:   89
SEFI: 86

This list is no way to win a war:
September 12th eBird checklist

At least this one's a bit better:
September 13th eBird checklist

Neighbors

Wednesday, 26 August

Yet another tardy-PAD.  Remiss in my duties, as per usual.

  SEFI is currently covered with California sea lions.  They are on the terraces, north and east landing, and sometimes the main path across the island. We avoid disturbing them as we go about our daily tasks (and avoid areas that they have been frequenting--the stench is bold, to say the least) but occasionally our jobs bring us near enough to catch some fun or adorable behaviors.  For example, here is a sea-lion napping atop two elephant seals--and nuzzling continuously (and adorably) until the elephant seal put its flipper over the sea lion (adorably, but not caught on film):

Napmate portrait.

  And here is a portrait of a bird--before the bird drought really set in (it's currently blasting 25-30 knots outside--poor weather for migration.  Good weather for waffles).

Punch a Wilson's Warbler and it'll pop right back up again

The current Island Battle score:  

SEFI 63

SCI 50

26 Aug eBird checklist

So Little Birds

Today dawned, again, filled with promise--but not filled with birds.  The island did, however, host a new Blackpoll Warbler, another Hooded Oriole, and the continuing Cliff Swallow.  But, alas, no island birds for Rob.  Tomorrow?  You guessed it; another day.  A front coming through tonight might push lots of birds south.  Or it might not.  In  the meantime, some portraits:

An unbelievably adorable Elephant Seal portrait--look at this thing.  Can you believe it?  I can't. 

This is the Orchard Oriole that I captured yesterday with my bare hands.  A lovely bird--and more common here than Hooded Orioles.

And, today's paltry eBird checklist

Flies, Flowers, and Elephant Seals

More non-bird-portraits--deal with it.  I have more bird portraits than I know what to do with.  The island gull population has dropped rapidly as young Western Gulls start flying to the mainland to start new lives away from this rock.  The blowflies have capitalized on the bounty that is dead gull chicks (and Alcids, and seals and sea lions...) and have been waging battle on the PRBO house occupants (Dan's banana cake was successfully defended this evening against a far superior force).  Birds have been slow.  Life goes on.

Elephant Seals provide endless entertainment--they stare at you with their giant goggle-eyes, they grunt, they jiggle... And they wage war with their own kind.

One of a handful of native Farallonian plants: Sand Spurrey (Spergularia macrotheca).  This is a double portrait: flower plus blowfly.   Look forward to a portrait of the famous 'Farallon Weed' in the near-future.

Flipper Sacks

Elephant Seals occasionally feign adorableness, especially during their aquatic life-stages.  But don't be fooled--they are disgusting creatures for the majority of their out-of-water existence.

 This is a commissioned family portrait of a loving and caring Western Gull with three chicks.  Light of heart with a maw that is bottomed.

 Harbor Seals are the most likable pinnipeds available.  Cute aquatic dog sausages.

These are California Sea Lions.  My good friend and fellow island-dweller, Don Mastwell, believes that sea lions are actually humans in a form of hell or purgatory--cursed to live within a burlap sack. With flippers.