7/9/2010 DB Dailies

Whew !!! Lots of cast and lots of news in the Monk Seal world today. The Rabbit Island gang would consist of Ewa Girl & Sam, who would be joined at one time or two by both Buster and RIP, at the left end of the beach, and Duke hangin' at the right end. Mostly by himself but he did have visits from both Buster and RIP. Buster and RIP would have a couple of run ins during the day. He ended the day with Buster by his side. RIP ended the day near Ewa Girl. Not Ewa Girl & Sam, but Ewa Girl (D#45).

Tracy tells me that technically, weaning does not happen until Mom leaves, however I think "intellectual weaning" occurred between 1339 and 1342. Yes.... there is a rest of the story.

At 1339 was looking at Ewa Girl with Sam slightly below her, and RIP , his usual 20 ft to the side. At that moment by notebook was blown off the railing and I scurried down onto the breakwater rocks to retrieve it, getting back to the scope just three minutes later at 1342. At that time, RIP and Ewa Girl were near the waterline snapping at each other and Sam was nowhere to be found. The most noticeable thing about the moment was the fact that Ewa Girl was totally unconcerned about the fact that Sam wasn't there, nor did she register any concern for the rest of the day. It took some time but I found Sam lazily swimming between 1BS and the Right Greenery, all by himself. When I called it a day at 1600 that was the scene. I've just returned from at 1700- 1800 check and found EG and RIP in exactly the same location, and I could not find Sam anywhere, but the light, and the rain made that a difficult proposition. Tomorrow morning should tell the tale. I've now seen several weanings and this is the first that did not occur overnight, with the pup waking in the morning to find him or herself alone in the world.

Team Billand also had an interesting day. At 0600 they reported Rocky at Wind Sock, Kalaeloa Beach, and at 0630 they saw Kermit swimming off shore of the Nimitz jetty, however they had to leave to check Ewa Beach. Kermit would later haul out to join Rocky at Wind Sock.

The Billands did find Makaiwi at her usual Ewa Beach (Oneula Place) spot, and as planned, NOAA personnel were advised and came out and gave her a new cell phone tag.

Team Billand also responded to a call about an animal at White Plains. It would prove to be Benny. He would later relocate to Wind Sock to join Rocky and Kermit. There was naturally , alot of jawing going on. When last I heard from Team Billand they had just spotted Makaiwi just off shore of Wind Sock, and headed their way, sporting her new bling.

Diane Gabriel came through with more shots of R5AY&P for today.