DB Post Monday 11.9.09

At 0652 I found what would turn out to be Buster at the left end of Rabbit Island, and little Duke just hauling out to 2BS. He would move up into the grass, 50 ft left of 2BS. Buster would move down and spend the rest of the day near the water line. His D#8 molt is 99%.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 0934 I found that Mikala had joined the cast 40 ft left of 1BS, and what would prove to be RIP was now 20 ft left of 3BS.

On a routine pan at 0947 I became aware that there had been an animal directly below Duke , 50 ft right of 2BS. I just missed it since it was in a wallow. It would prove to be Mojo. He would later relocate to join Buster at the left end.

I had mentioned an Unknown yesterday, that I thought was either Mojo or RIP. I hoped that today would solve the mystery. With both of them at RI today, we shall never know who yesterday's U/M was. (I'd still put a dollar on Mojo).

At 1123 Tracy called with the report of an animal at "Half Point" at Sandy Beach. En route to SB I also got a call from Diane Gabriel asking if I was aware of a SB animal. I told her I was on my way. When I arrived at the back end of SB I found Right Spot (and Diane) at the far east end. I cordoned her off, and assumed that the location called in had been in error. I joked to Diane that "I guess I'd better check Half Point just in case". As we looked in that direction , lo and behold there was ANOTHER animal partially visible. When I got to that location at 1145 I found Benny lying there, and cordoned him off. On my 1425 SB check I found that Benny had relocated to join Right Spot within her cordon. I picked up the other stuff and continued on . They were both still there on my 1600 check. I'll be returning after completing the dailies.

I got a Vegas call from the Billands , notifying me that their deputy , Mochiko had reported Kermit at WP at 0805. I have no other information.

Right Spot and Benny departed Sandy Beach at 1732 with Right Spot in the lead and Benny in hot pursuit.

DB (cont) Sandy's

DB Post Sunday 11.08.09

The Rabbit Island crew for today was an 80% molted Buster, and both Weaners, Mikala and Duke, and once again M38 was there. To my surprise , Benny also made an afternoon appearance. I also had a dreaded U/M. I hate having unknowns, but I just couldn't get the markers that I needed to see. I'm reasonably certain that it was either RIP or Mojo, but I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to get the necessary info.

Posse member , Jenn Christian called from White Plains at 1115 to report Kermit on the main beach, and Irma on the Ewa side of the east end fence. She was also kind enough to provide photo documentation. Thank you Jenn, from the bottom of my little, bald heart !

Colleen Heyer called from Diamond Head at 1600 to report that Rocky has returned home. She had hauled out at the bunker near Colleen's house. Judging by the tire tracks in Colleen's photos, I'd say Rocky got a little closer to the Police quads that she really wanted to be.

DB Post (cont) Sunday

DB Post Saturday 11.07.09

When I departed home this morning , there was no doubt in my mind how my day would begin. Sure enough therrrrre was Right Spot waiting for me at the east end of Sandy Beach at 0616. I got her cordoned off and between myself, my wife, da' Grasshoppa' (Mona), and Leslie, we kept track of her all day. She was still there at 1500, and I will recheck her again after typing up the dailies.

My first look at Rabbit Island was a bust, however when I got back to Makai Pier at 0856 I found Mikala to the left of 1BS, and Buster just moving down out of the grass at the right end of the beach. He had probably been there earlier, but totally invisible up in the tall grass clumps. His D#6 molt is 70 %.

At 1226 on a routine pan I found an animal along side Mikala. It would take some time but it would prove to be M38. He was being his usual aggressive self when I saw him. He was in the process of log rolling Mikala into the water. She would give him the slip at 1235, hauling out to the rock flats at the extreme left end of RI. M38 did not follow. At 1242, M38 hauled out 20 ft left of 1BS, and remained there the rest of the day. He had last been reported on Molokai, by Val, on 10-26-09. His last Rabbit Island visit had been on 10-16-09.

At 1024 Team Billand called from Vegas reporting that they had a 3rd hand account of an animal at White Plains today. I have no ID information. There should be a law against the Billands being allowed to leave the island.

When I got to Sandy Beach at 1706, Right Spot was gone. There were no witnesses, but the cordoned area was clean so I presume she left of her own volition.

DB Post Friday 11.6.09

On my first pass through Sandy Beach at 0615, I found our girl Right Spot waiting for me at the east end of the beach. She had last been reported on a "remote island" via YouTube on 10-30. Her last Sandy Beach stay was on 10-23-09. She has been there all day. I'll be returning to Sandys after typing the dailies.

When I got to Makai Pier at 0659 I found Buster at the left end of the beach on Rabbit Island. His D#5 molt is 30%. He would move down to cool off and remained at the left end all day.

At 0659 I found Kolohe up in the grass at the right end of the beach. He would move down to cool off in the afternoon, and remain there all day.

On a pan at 0843 I became aware of a partially visible animal in a tide pool just left of Kolohe's location. It would take all day but it would prove to be Mikala.

Team Billand called from Vegas (with slot machines singing in the background) at 0600, to report that their White Plains deputy, Mochiko called to report Kermit and Irma at White Plains today.

There was another Billand call at 1254, to report that their Campbell Industrial Park posse person called them to report Ewa Girl at Palm Grove.

Right Spot departed Sandy Beach at 1720 of her own volition. I picked up the stuff and called it a day.

KP2 Gets Some Training

Aloha good people!
I had the good fortune to spend this afternoon with KP2 and Dera Look. Dera was just hired into NOAA as (okay this is a long one ) Assistant Marine Mammal Response Network Stranding Coordinator under David Schofield... Dera spent some time feeding KP2 and using some training practices with him... it was very cool to watch ( I think KP really likes her cuz he did extremely well)... Dera started off at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Marine Mammal Research Program as a student volunteer. In 2002 she was hired as a full time trainer and research assistant working with dolphins to study sensory systems of dolphins and small whales.

I would like to welcome Dera and I look forward to getting to know her and participating in more projects with her. (And personally I think Dera will be a huge help to David). ~donna~

DB Post Thursday 11.5.09

At 0650 I found Buster at the left end of the beach, and Duke on the right end of Rabbit Island. Both would remain there all day. Buster's D#4 molt is a conservative 25%.

After yet another "plumber date" I got back to Makai Pier at 1144. In addition the previously mentioned cast, I found that Mikala was now at 1BS, and Kolohe had hauled out to the 3BS. All would remain there the rest of the day.

Team Billand called at 0703, as they were readying to depart to seek their fortunes in Vegas , for a week. They were calling to advise that their deputy posse person, Mochiko, at White Plains had reported what sounded like Irma near the east end fence, and Kermit near the main life guard stand. She put out signs. White Plains life guards checked in at 1024 to report the same two animals , and they too agreed that it was Kermit and Irma. They had put up there stuff.

View of Rabbit Island

Aloha good people!

Many of you are from the area and are very familiar with Rabbit Island (Manana Island) and Makai Pier, where our beloved seal whisperer spends endless hours watching over the cast of characters. HOWEVER there are many new readers to our blog that need to put this into perspective. This photograph is of Rabbit Island is about a mile away from the pier where DB sits... so when you look at the photographs of the seals on the island.. realize he is shooting the his camera through his high powered lens... AND.... his eagle eyes can identify these animals.

DB is a mentor and a hero to many of us volunteers... he has an amazing wealth of knowledge about these animals and generously shares it with us.... and as many of you know he has a great sense of humor.

Hey DB did you get a new camera? Because the photos from Wednesday are amazing.

DB Post Wednesday 11.4.09

It was an interesting little Rabbit Island day today. Buster was there,at the left end, rotting nicely on D#3 of his molt, at 15%. Sadie hauled out to 3BS, and remained there all day. There were also some special guests. Kolohe showed up at the far right end. I'd last seen him on 10-28-09, so it was good to have him back home. The highlight of the day was little Mikala hauling out to join Buster at the left end at 0656. As you know she had last been seen at Kahuku Golf Course on Sunday, 11-1-09. Needless to say I was totally stoked to see her little bod back home. The last member of today's cast made an interesting approach to the Rabbit Island day.

At 0939 Sandy Beach posse person, JR, called to report a smallish animal in the shore break looking like it wanted to haul out, but of course the beach crowd shadowed the animal along the beach front making it impossible to haul out. When I arrived at 0947 I found nobody, however as I checked the shoreline at the cove, I found a swimming head moving toward the east . I tried to follow but lost it at Irma's. I've been through this before, and am very much aware that the "who" question is usually answered in short order when the next arrival at Rabbit Island happens.

I got back to MP at 1030, and all was the same. At 1139 who should haul out to join Buster and Mikala at the left end, but good ol' BENNY !!!! He had been MIA since his Hanauma Bay "drive thru" on 11-19-09. He's got my vote as the Sandy Beach swimmer ! He would bother Buster for a while but obviously Buster wasn't in the mode. Benny didn't seem to be all that interested in Mikala. He reentered the water at 1150 and hauled out to join Sadie at 3BS, where he spent the rest of the day.

Team Billand reported 2AW at Tracks once again today , at 0847, and then at 1053 reported Irma at Wind Sock, Kalaeloa Beach. We were especially glad to see that Kermit was at Kermit's Reef, right of the Nimitz jetty at 1110. He had last been seen at Al's Bency, Kalaeloa Campground on 10-28-09. Welcome Home Kermie !

The Donna called around 1500 to report an animal at the Mokes today, but alas it was run off by kayakers so there is no info. Right Spot would be my guess, but ?????????

DB Post Wednesday 11.4.09 (cont)

2AW

Irma

Kermit

DB Post 11.3.09 Tuesday

Off and on rain, with brisk winds made Rabbit Island observations wet and nippy. A few day's ago it was muggy and miserable. Today I had a long sleeved shirt on and it definitely had a wintery feel.

Today's Rabbit Island cast proved to be interesting. I had a heck of a time identifying the two animals, partially visible up in the Morning Glory at 3BS,at 0756, but ultimately they would prove to be Sadie, and Mojo. I'd last seen my #2 son on 10-25. Both he and Sadie would move down separately and spend the day 50-60 ft apart. There was never any observed interaction.

On a pan at 1000, I found Duke's butt sticking out of the grass high on the beach at the right end of the beach. He would move down and spend the rest of the day by himself at the right end.

On a pan at 1000 I found Buster newly hauled out 50 ft left of 1BS. He would remain there all day. His D#2 molt is 5%.

Team Billand reported 2AW at Tracks at 1000, and Ewa Girl at Palm Grove, Campbell Industrial Park at 1050.

DB Post Monday 11.2.09

Rabbit Island observations were interesting, but difficult with frequent rain episodes, and limited visibility. The cast began with Buster and the left end of the beach, up in the Morning Glory. He would move down at 0940 and a few minutes later, Sadie would haul out to his location at 1012. He briefly responded, but didn't have his heart in it. She galumphed on by him and moved up into the Morning Glory. She would remain in that area for the rest of the day.


At 1016 yet another head appeared in the shore break in front of Buster. It would prove to be Duke. Buster would enter the water to join him at 1018 and they did a swim / play session until 1203 when they hauled out together , 80 ft right of 3BS.

At 1328 when Buster began to roll around I confirmed that his molt has begun, around his throat and upper chest. D#1, 1%.

At 1004 Team Billand reported Ewa Girl once again at Palm Grove, Campbell Industrial Park.

Their next call came at 1128 with the report of Irma at Wind Sock, Kalaeloa Beach.

At 1155 another Team Billand call confirmed Rocky at "Kermit's Reef " on the right side of the Nimitz jetty.

As interesting as all of that info is, the biggest piece of news, from my personal point of view, came via an afternoon email from Tracy. Apparently my little, 4 month old, weaner girl, Mikala (RA15) , was seen,and identified by tag, at Kahuku Golf Course beach on Sunday , 11-1-09. I had last seen her on Rabbit Island on Thursday, 10-29-09. It looks like she might be pulling a "Kerby" on me. It will be interesting to see when and if she returns to Rabbit Island.

Tracy provided one other piece of info in that email. Apparently, Lona (R017) was seen and bleached as a Maui girl . She now carries an "F2" bleach.

We are apparently having technical difficulties on the West Side of our Third World home, and Team Billand can't get today's photos out. If the Pony Express delivers them before Donna does her midnight magic, I'll get them out to you. * I will post additional photos as soon or whenever I receive them.

DB Post Sunday 11.1.09

It was the Duke and Buster show at Rabbit Island again today. Buster began my day, at 0703,once again tucked up against the cliff at the left end of the beach. He would move down and do a short swim from 0940 till 1007, then once again haul out at the left end and snooze away the day.

Duke made a fashionably late entrance at 1220 , also at the left end, but well away from Buster. He too laid there like an N18 lump all day.

Team Billand called at 0824 with the report of Irma at White Plains, fronting cottage #1708, and then called again at 1019 reporting Ewa Girl once again at Palm Grove, Campbell Industrial Park.

DB Post Saturday 10/31/09

I found Buster in precisely the same position and location that I found him yesterday morning, tucked into the base of the cliff at the left end of the beach on Rabbit Island, 100 ft left of 1BS. When I got back to Makai Pier at 0929 he had moved down to cool off and on a pan at 0932 I noticed that he was gone.

As I panned the RI coastline looking for him at 0932, I happened onto two animals playing in the shallows just right of 1BS. I discovered very quickly that it was Buster and Duke (thanks to the wonderful N18 bleach). I lost track of them at 1012, and on pans I found Duke hauled out to 3BS at 1014, and Buster just hauling out 60 ft left of 1BS at 1015. They would remain at those respective locations the remainder of the day.

The real highlight of the day came at 1001 with a call from Team Billand. They reported that they were with EWA GIRL !!!! at Campbell Industrial Park, Palm Grove. Her last sighting had been at Iroquois Point on 9-24-09 (Billands). Her last known CIP visit was on 9-7-09. Of course I can't rule out that it wasn't Irma in an Ewa Girl mask. (She doesn't look it but Irma has a really weird sense of humor). Anyway I goin' with the Billand's ID call. Happy Halloween everybody !