1/16/2010 DB Dailies Rabbit Island RIP, Mikala & Duke

At 0720 I found RIP up in the Morning Glory, 30 ft left of 1BS on Rabbit Island. He would later move down to cool off, and at 1327 was joined by Mikala. She would remain the rest of the day, however RIP entered the water at 1417 and cruised to the right. I lost sight of him as he passed 3BS, and did not see him again today.

At 1435 Duke hauled out at the right end of the beach, and remained there the rest of the day.

Another DOCARE Incident began at 1243 with the arrival of 2 spear fishermen who doffed their gear at the Middle Cliff area, and the began exploring to the left, passing 2 of the 3 "NO LANDING" signs (twice). They stopped at RIP's location and observed from directly above. Fortunately , the did not disturb him. I called DOCARE dispatch at 1300, but to my knowledge there was no DOCARE response.........................again !

Team Billand reported Kermit near the east end fence at White Plains at 0929, and called and after watching Irma log it off shore, finally reported Irma at #1708 at 1143. Peggy Michelich, a Journalism grad student from Columbia Univeresity spent the day with K & I as part of her amassing of material for her Master Thesis on Hawaiian Monk Seals. She has had an action packed few days.

Diane Gabriel came through with great shots of Ka'ena, Kerby and BG at Ka'ena Point. As you will see in her photos, our girl BG has gotten a brand new Cookie Cutter (CC) shark bite. Fortunately , it looks to be not too deep, but will probably cause a noticable new marker to ID her by. Diane was out at the end of the world with an Ecology Hiker's Group. The guys on the outside rocks in the 3 animal shot are not part of her group.