Sunday, June 8, 2014

6/8/2014 DB's Dailies: Pua&U/U@RI, Duke@SC, Haupu&Buster@WP

At 0740 I found an U/U on the left end rock flats of Rabbit Island. At end of day it remained an U/U. It was never more than partially visible, so no ID was possible.

 At 0810 Marilyn called with the report of an animal doing 11 minute dives a Spitting Cave. Analysis of her shots confirmed the Duke (RA12), on his 5th day at SC. He was not seen on Melanie’s afternoon check.

 At 1017 I found weaner Pua (RF34) just hauling out to the left end rock flats at RI. She would gradually move up to join the U/U. They would snooze away the day together, until both were forced to move higher up, and out of my line of sight near the cliff at mid day.

 At 0620 Team Billand called with the report Of Haupu (RB24), overnighted fronting #1708, White Plains. She would depart at 0829.

 At 1024 the Billands advised that lifeguard Dennis had called them about an animal moving along the coastline from WP headed west. They briefly got a glimpse of the animal as it tried to haul out at Nimitz Cove, but was run off my screaming kids on the water line. They continued to follow and a 1411 finally reported Buster (RV08) newly arrived fronting Tower#1, White Plains.

 I got word that Luana, or at least a small seal, had been seen swimming by the birth beach, but did not haul out. Hopefully, we’ll get more on da’ blog. Dana checked in at 1936 to advise that the hunt will begin anew at dawn.  I have no news for the blog.... all I heard today was the team was playing the waiting game and sighted but not cooperating as far as hauling out.

Buster at white plains !   
 love this picture.... seal sun bathing on the sand and all the people in the water. 
 and now all the humans are taking up all the beach
 Haupu at white plains -  Yesterday we missed the photos of her... apparently the email Team Billand sent to me didn't come through....  Glad she showed up again today! 
 This is one of those situations I often wonder how I would react.... cruising along in the water .... and then  oops oh look a seal goes swimming by!  

2 comments:

Lesley said...

Sorry Da Blog lady - I've just sent you a report of our long day out at KPt.
We made it back to town late and will be back out there at dawn
Aloha, L.

barbara said...

Thanks Angela, the ONE volunteer who came at 3pm to help us out at Plains with hundreds of people out there. We left at 4pm....

We came back after doing a leeward check, with out any animals. WE arrived at 6:30pm, Buster sound a sleep, kids running in front of him. I wish parents would teach their kids some respect for a critically endangered animal. Tsk.Tsk.

Finally after all the people left, we took the ropes down at 8PM, said a prayer for Buster and slowly walked away. Phew...too long a day for us old guys, but some how, WE MADE IT !!

I dont know how White Plains can fit so many people...its crazy insane out there.

Glad Haupu left at 8:25am...you should have seen the people in that location..what was funny was, Haupu pooped on land before leaving, and all the way into the water...just swimming along and minding her own business.

That little girl caught a wave just as Haupu was passing her, and her look on her face was priceless. She was respectable, Haupu kept going without any worries.