6-30-2014 La'akea at Turtle Bay

Thank you Karen for sending in these shots of La'akea.... she is the star of the day since we don't have any other blog updates this evening.

 a little sandy... but  a nice new coat

so sweet 

6-30-2014 DB's Dailies: NOT due to Yahoo problems

Aloha Good People

I received a call from DB about 8:30 this evening.... seems YAHOO is having problems. This actually sounded like a problem with YAHOO and not DB's email....

Bottom line... once the data comes in I will post. I will actually be up bright and early in the am... so I will do my best to get something posted if the update comes through.

da blog lady

6-29-2014 DB's Dailies:

At 0708 I found an overnighted Kaiwi (RK96) once again at Buster Flats, Lanai Lookout. Marilyn, Melanie & Gayle did multiple checks throughout the day. She was still there on Gayle’s 1800 check. 

On my first Kaiwi check I met and spoke with new diver posse member Michael Riley. I asked him to contact me if he saw any other seals on his dives. He called in the afternoon to advise that he’d seen another animal in the water on the cove side of LL. When he downloaded his video, and then took the time to research the blog, he advised that it was Kolohe (RW22). Having viewed the video I can confirm the Kolohe ID. More on him in a second.

 My Rabbit Island day was especially noteworthy. At 0930 I found what would prove to be Sadie (RB12) & Aukai, 100 ft left of 1BS. Sadie has not been seen since she weaned Pua on 5-12-14.  At 1239 what would prove to be Kolohe (RW22) hauled out to join the girls. Shortly after his arrival I noticed him alert to something in the water. When I panned to the shallows I found Pua (RF34) at 1254. She would eventually haul out with the group, but maintain some distance. In case you don’t keep track of family trees you should know that Sadie is Pua’s mom. You don’t get moments like that very often. There was no observed interaction .

 At 1413 Ocean Safety called to advise of an animal at the Blowhole end of Sandy Beach. When I arrived at 1418 the animal was just reentering the water having been denied haul out by the adoring hordes. Melanie watched from BH while I went ahead to the east end of Sandy Beach. Sure enough at 1524 the critter came cruisin’ down the beach front in near shore waters. Again the abundant adoring hordes were dogging him on the trip. I managed to get everybody to cooperate and back off, and at 1430 Buster (RV08) finally hauled out. Melanie and I cordoned him off, and Marilyn arrived shortly thereafter. On a recheck at 1707 Marilyn called to say “He is on the move”. He moved about 30 ft to east again disrupting many beach goers, who thankfully were very understanding.
We got him cordoned off again. At 1742 Marilyn called again “He is on the move.....again !” . Fortunately, this time to departed. Thanks to Marilyn, Melanie and Gayle for everything.

 The rest of the news basically came in a call from Dana at 0857 reporting Haupu (RB24) at White Plains. Glenn Cober photos confirm the Haupu ID. Thank you Glenn & Vera.

 She also advised that Right Spot (R016) was at Shark’s Cove, and Benny (RE74) at Makaha. Unfortunately there is no photo confirmation.

Kolohe, Sadie Pua and Aukai

 

 Buster at Sandy Beach

kaiwi 

 and this is something that drives most volunteers/seal guardians nutz!!!

Haupu at white plains - photos from Cober Clan

Team Billand

Aloha Good People !

It's been a couple of days since we heard from Team Billand... and it's my understanding they are taking a much needed break.  I do know I MISS them already.... but I will say this.... I do understand if they are burnt out.... there has been so much going on lately.... and the summer has just begun.

So I am sending personal plea out to any volunteers that have time to help out on the west side.... THERE ARE SEALS OUT THERE.... there are tons of beach goers. (if you read the blog you have an idea of some of the craziness out there).... NOW is the time to step up and help out.... Outreach is critical....  you have to be patient, have a good sense of people, know when to pass along information.

I hope that Barbara and Robert get some rest, I hope people will step up and show some aloha and help out on the west side.

Barbara and Robert if you are reading this .... you are loved and appreciated. No one & nothing will ever change that.

6-28-2014 DB's Dailies: Kea@BH, Aukai&U/U@RI, Buster@SB, Kaiwi@LL, Rocky&Pup@Kauai, Temp402,Ka'ena&RIP@KP

At 0620 I found Kea (RN46) waiting for me in the small cove on the Sandy Beach side of the Blowhole Lookout. This was D#3 of this stay .

 On my 2nd look at Rabbit Island I found Aukai (RL12) fronting 3BS. Later at 1119 I found an U/U , partially visible on the left end rock flats. I was never able to get an ID. Maybe tomorrow ???

 At 1418 posse member Pili called to advise that an animal was trying to haul out at the east end of Sandy Beach. When I arrived at 1425 Buster had successfully hauled out amongst the masses. I cordoned him off, and he remains.  Marilyn did the late check. Buster was goin’ nowhere. She picked up the rope and left the signs.

 At 1503 posse member Ann called to advise of a report of an animal on the flats to the east of Lanai Lookout. When I arrived at 1514 I found Kaiwi (RK96).

 Dana called at 0937 with a report of an animal at Bathtub Beach, Laie. No further info.

 Marilyn, Lesley & Ken did the Ka’ena Point trek today. Marilyn called at 1017 with the report of Temp402 (Squinty), Ka’ena (RO40), and RIP (RR70) at the end of the world.

 The highlight of the day came at 1045 with a call from Tracy, confirming that Rocky (RH58) had pupped this morning on Kauai.

aukai and all the birdies

 Buster brown okay sandy buster

 Kaiwi

 

 Kea

  Ka'ena 

 rip

temp 402

 Temp 402 "squinty"   looks like this might be something going on the left eye - cataracts? - injury?

6-28-2014 Lesley's Ka'ena Point Trek

This morning Marilyn, Ken T and I did the Ka'ena Point monitoring hike.

Unfortunately we didn't see RN58 "Luana" but we had a great surprise: finding Temp 402 "Squintty" in BG's Pool. He is looking great and healthy

Next we saw RO40 "Ka'ena" at the end of the Runway and RR70 "Rip" hauling out on the outside reefs of the Main Pool. 

It was a beautiful day out there.

The Albatross chicks are nearly ready for their first flight!

Just a reminder all photos were taken at safe distances, here they are zoomed in and cropped therefore the slight blur.  Aloha,  Lesley 

 Ka'ena

Rip

Temp 402