MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 9-10-11 DB Dailies and more

Saturday, September 10, 2011

9-10-11 DB Dailies and more

The Dawn Patrol arrived at AD at 0545 to find Irma (R010) & Kaiwi, snoozin' on the beach, and a probable Benny (RE74) lolling in the water, near by. He would be gone when the light allowed visibility, but he'd be back....and back...and back ! Lesley identified Irma poop, and I collected the specimen. Irma and pup would spend most of the morning in the water, hauling out just to do feeds. Benny made at least 4 visits. Each time being run off by Irma. There were some eyeball to eyeball moments.

Shortly after his 1012 departure, Lesley called from Sandy Beach to advise that Benny was hauling out at the east end of SB. I responded immediately and got him cordoned off. A newly deputized posse member on the beach, called at 1233 to advise that Benny had departed. I picked up the stuff at 1153, and returned to AD at 1303. Benny and I arrived at the same time. He would do a couple more visits after that. Irma handled each time.

My life was full of U/U today. Firstly, there was the Spitting Cave animal, with 2 red tags, that I believe to be Buster , but can't prove,

Then there were my Rabbit Island visits today. On the first look I could ID Kolohe, but the other 5 animals were a problem. When I got back to Makai Pier at 1332 I could confirm Nani (RK60), and Duke (RA12), but because of strategically placed rocks I could not ID the U/F with a new coat, and the U/M with older coat nearby. Hopefully, tomorrow will provide some answers.

Marilyn did the Ka'ena Point trek today, and reported 761, an85% molted Kerby (RW08), and Ka'ena (RO40) at the end of the world. A closer look at the head wound on 761 would appear to be a shark bite. There are shark teeth marks on her neck, posterior to the more visible wound on her head.

Irma battles Benny with Kaiwi close by