Gayle sent a shot of Rabbit Island showing a couple of seals. Two unknowns both look young but not sure young enough to be Aka, one of the youngsters looks a little green.
Team Billand decided to change it up today and go for some different scenery. They headed north and visited with Ua Malie and PO4. Upon arrival Ua and pup were together on shore at the Keiki pool sleeping side by side. While the two were resting Team Billand spent a little time cleaning up much of the debris that has washed ashore. (Never staying still these two)
On their way back from picking up some trash they saw PO4 nursing to the right of the pool. The two were nose to nose rolled over and went out for a swim Pup followed for a bit and then was distracted by something. Mom kept going at 10:52 am. (It was reported later that Mom returned, but we're probably getting close to a weaning).
Heading home they found Kekoa Alii RK72 resting on the rock at Maili. He was ID'd by his tags. There was another seal off shore doing 7 to 9 min dives, they were unable to make an ID but determined it was an adult.
Rabbit Island 2 UUs
PO4 getting mighty big
Rob going above and beyond the call of duty
Kekoa
Unknown adult doing 7-9 min dives
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1 comment:
ITs been YEARS since going out to North Shore...and it felt good to get away to some place DIFFERENT.
We did feel a different atmosphere being out there...not that many people, calm, the view spectacular and the pup SO ADORABLE, Ua, a sensational MOM.
Yes we did find plastics, BASKETS, ropes, tubs, bottles that a pup could get into TROUBLE with...what we did find was ADDED TO A SPOT where OTHERS picked up and placed away from the Ocean. It is a shamed what man leaves behind on our earth... THANKS TO ALL WHO ARE CLEANING UP....It was fun to find so many floaters out there...we brought some home, as I collect them for YEARS. YES, I am a FLOAT A HOLIC.
We watched as pup NURSED, making sure to get MILK from each teat...and vocalizing to his MOM for MORE MILK.
Just before she went off, she was having a LOVING MOMENT with Pup...sharing a tender last minute hug. Pup would follow her a bit, but turned around, something caught his attention...MOM KEPT GOING. SO we THOUGHT...DID SHE WEAN THE PUP:???????? I guess not, but is TEST DRIVING for now.
Besides the view, we saw the Hawaiian stilts feeding, and two FRIGATE birds slowly flew above us...lots of plovers, waxbills fluttering about. Saw lots of cardinals, it was a great journey for us old guys. Brought back so many great memories out there..LIKE WHEN UA was captured to get an XRAY to see if she swallowed a hook. SHE BIT THE INTERN ERIC TONG on his forearm. WOW, she was so powerful at two months old.
NO she wasnt hooked...and set free.
I thought of HOKU our first pup to observe and take care of at Crawfords..how he got hooked while watching him and how the NOAA team came out to dehook him so little. Unfortunately, HOKU was found by us and DB, dead on shore, OCT 5, 2008.A MEMORY THAT HAUNTS US TO THIS DAY. He never got to be THE MIGHTY SEAL he was supposed to be. That was R5AY'S boy, bless his little heart.
We are grateful for all those taking care of our seals...THANK YOU for being there.
To Ua and pup...god bless...safe journey.
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