We arrived at AD at 0600, but did not locate Kaiwi (RK96) until 0630. She was in the Benny Battle tide pool. On Zeenat's shift she would swim east, hauling out to the 300 yd site at 0800, and spend most of the day snoozin' near the grass, but moving to the rocks on a couple of occasions. When I saw her at dusk she was busy playing in the grass, and eating a tree, or at least tearing off limbs of a small bush.
At 0800, on my 3rd look at Irma's, I spied 2 critters, directly down from the Kealahou traffic light. I was shocked and awed to find that it was the dynamic duo... Kermit (R4DG) and Irma (R010).... together again ! Yes, they maintain contact, and spend quality time together (at least until Benny gets there), but to have them together at Irma's has not happened in a long time. I looked it up..... their last get together at Irma's came on 10-18-07 !! I and others checked them throughout the day, and I know that they were still there at 1630, but when I got there after picking up the AD site, at 1838, they had departed. Tomorrow ?????
I found Buster (RV08), once again foraging at the Blowhole Lookout. He was doing 7 minute dives.
When I finally got to Makai Pier at 1303 I found that Nani (RK60) had Rabbit Island all to herself.A 1420 call from Dera brought word of an animal near the parking lot at Makapuu Beach. When I arrived 1428 I found Pohaku (RO28) on rocks between the parking lot and the Kaupo Beach Park. She was being beseiged by a bus load of Chinese tourists, and it was absolute chaos. I managed to get everybody away from her and back a good distance, but it was a battle for a while there. Once they all got back on the bus, peace and quiet returned for both Pohaku and myself. This is the first time that Pohaku has been seen in the SE Quadrant.
Dera called in the afternoon to advise that Sean had bleached Right Spot and La'akea at Turtle Bay today. Right Spot has her N6 back on the right shoulder and a girdle. La'akea now sports an N31 on the left shoulder and a girdle. Karen Turner provided the confirmation photos. Thank You Karen !
Early Morning with Ka Iwi
La'akea @ Turtle Bay inching her way to the hotel
La'akea RK82 now bleached with N31
pale right spot R016
glimpse of N6
And the love story continues... Kermit and Irma
Come'on this is what we been waiting for
Reunited at last
RO28 @ Makapuu
DB no pictures of the bus load of people? We could have used that as example of a volunteers' nightmare, bus load of tourist that don't understand a word you are saying.
Nice picture
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1 comment:
I think for us its been two long years since we've seen Kermit with Irma...ALone, NO BENNY TO FIGHT WITH. Honestly, since Rob and I been at this Monk Seal Journey, keeping track of Irma and Kermit, these two are in fact a COUPLE. We've sat with both seals, observing their TENDER MOMENTS, just laying there on shore, Kermit asking Irma, PSSTT!! How about it BABY??? NOW??? And Irma would kind of open her mouth to say.."NO". But Kermit was a gentlemen, always and would say, OK BABE..and remain with her. Usually around July or August, both seals would just go away, then come back late September or Oct, TOGETHER at windsock or white plains. Both of US would look forward to their arrival and they were pretty consistent. BUT..DA BENNY arrived, and we watched Irma fight him off all the time, it was different then Kemrits advances. She loved Kermit, they had an agreement. Benny...well, he's a little more aggressive in his advances and Irma would let him have it.
Things went hay wire, changes...Kermit couldnt connect with Irma for a about two years. Benny was always around, making troubles.
Then Irma went and had her pup at AD's. Who showed up...BENNY..as he had to get her before KErmit.
Then Irma finally showed up at Plains one day, Kermit also showed up THE VERY NEXT DAY!!! Then Irma showed up at Windsock, but no Kermit. And then Kermit showed up at WIndsock..but no Irma. Kermit went to Maili Pt. traveled to Kaena Pt..still no Irma connection.
UNTIL...OCT 21st, The Gentelmen KERMIT FINALLY MET, The Loyal Irma. How sweet is that????? And Rob and I missed this moment, shucks. But seeing the photos from DB, made things so SWEET!!! So RIGHT!! For us, it means alot, seeing the couple finally meet up and be together all day long, just sharing tender moments. Life is full circle...and just think little Kaiwi, just around the corner of them!!!!
Hey, we are with the seals all day long and we see lots of neat stuff, it aint scientific observations, just plain neat, normal, stuff in nature. Feelings, of two seals who are ment to be...PERIOD. Thanks DB for adorable, loving shots of the FAMOUS...IRMA and KERMIT. It wont be long till the BENNY comes, and the BRAWL begins with two Males fighting for a chance with...DA IRMA. He. He. And boy they will battle it out, not fun to watch, spooky, but, its nature. So stay tuned for the BENNY's ARRIVAL soon. And to Kermit...I am glad you found your BABE..IRMA!!!! Finally!!!!!!!!
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