MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 7-25-2012 DB's Dailies: M&M,Pup(D#43)&Kolohe@RI, Buster@SC, Kaiwi@LL, R912&Pup, RO28@Maili Pt, Irma@PC, Ewa Girl&UU@RR

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

7-25-2012 DB's Dailies: M&M,Pup(D#43)&Kolohe@RI, Buster@SC, Kaiwi@LL, R912&Pup, RO28@Maili Pt, Irma@PC, Ewa Girl&UU@RR

I was looking at Rabbit Island at 0553, but it would be 0626 before M&M (R020)&Pup(D#43) appeared in my life. For the first time since this began, they had departed the Rocky Right Beach area, and I found them on a pan , just hauling out 50 ft left of 2BS, on Rabbit Island. They remained there doing a feed and a snooze , until 0932, when M&M began moving down with the pup right behind. They entered the water and I lost them in the chop after a minute of so.

At 0633 I became aware that Kolohe (RW22) was approaching M&M and pup from the left. He got to within 15 ft before Mom gave him the stink eye and he turned and headed for the water. He would haul out again at 0832 to the left end rock flats, where he spent the rest of the day.

I spent all day going back and forth between the pier and the overview. I had no luck at all until 1509. That was the moment that the saddest little weaner you ever saw, hauled out right where it had been with Mom just this morning. It bawled and looked around for 20 minutes and then returned to the water.

I'm reasonably certain that I have the sex right, but I'm holding off making a statement until I get better looks at the belly. Either way I've settled on Aukai (seafarer) as the pup's name.

At 0719 I found Buster (RV08) doing 7 minute dives at Spitting Cave.

Gayle called at 0721 with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) at Lanai Lookout.

Dana called at 0726 about R912 & pup. I'd gotten the Paul Nelson photos this morning. They were conclusive that it was R912. Dera checked in at 1212 to advise that the cordon had in put in place at the pupping site. She also advised that the Mom & Pup had first been reported by turtle folk, with umbilicus still attached at around 1400 yesterday afternoon.

Many are asking about history on R912 (aka 761). Alas, a history is a short story. First seen and bleached by NOAA personnel at Nihoa in 2011. She showed up at Ka'ena Point on 6-15-11 with an Ulau hook in the left side of her mouth. She managed to lose the hook on her own. She as been mostly seen in the KP and Mokuleia area. As for age.... ?????? but based on the last 2 days I think we can safely assume that she is at least 5 years old.

Thank you to Dana and Paul & Judy for today's shots, as well as those taken in challenging conditions last night, allowing the ID.

Also during that conversation Dera advised that Eileen had called today, reporting Ewa Girl (RS00) at the Reef Runway, in the company of another large U/U animal. Dera will check to see if Eileen has any further info.

Team Billand checked in at 0803 with the report of Pohaku (RO28) at Maili Point.

At 1005 they reported an animal just off shore of Paradise Cove. Irma (R010) hauled out to that location at 1040. The Billands reported that departed the beach at 1800, however she has remained in th lagoon, and is investigating the Hukilau net that PC personnel have in the water. Canoe personnel are trying to keep her away from the net.

Vera called at 0910 to report Rocky (RH58) at Iroquois Point. Rocky would depart somewhere between 1330 and 1430. End of story ????? Nope.... Vera called at 1935 to advise that Rocky had hauled out again at Access #186A, Ewa Beach. Thank you Vera !!!!!!

Little Kaiwi isn't the baby of Oahu anymore