Saturday, November 11, 2017

11/11/2017 Monk Seal Dailies: Kea Rn46, Right Spot R016, Kekoa RK72, Lei Ola RH48, RN14, RL42.

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Vicki, Gayle and Team Billand. (Happy to have Team Billand back on seal duty.)

Today's weather brought some challenges. Marilyn didn't do her usual Saturday Ka'ena Point Trek with Lesley and Diane. She instead braved the rain and stayed on the east side, as did Gayle and Vicki.  

At 0906, Marilyn found Kea RN46 snoozing in the cove on the Sandy Beach Side of the Blowhole view site. He was Id'd by his N46 tag and bleach marks on the inside of his right rear flipper.  Marilyn checked on him at 11:24, and 14:14 and he was still there in the same position.

While at the Blowhole at 11:24, Marilyn could see a seal at the sewer outfall end of Sandy Beach. There was a wedding photo shoot taking place nearby. When Marilyn got to Sandy Beach she found R016 resting. A volunteer was on site and had erected a SRA, Marilyn left as it was raining.  She checked back at 14:22 and there was another wedding photo shoot happening. Right Spot still there and now her signature natural bleach mark on her right side was visible.  She appears to have a minor wound on her left upper lip.  She was a part of the photo shoot and was not disturbed in anyway.  She looks healthy and has put on weight since her molt.  

Vicki also on the east side reported on Kea RN46 and Right Spot R016, although Vicki must have missed the wedding.

Gayle also reported Kea at the blowhole and Right Spot at Sandy Beach. Gayle confirmed Right Spot left the beach at 17:30. Thank you Gayle.

Team Billand checked Maili and found a newly molted critter, and noticed a cue ball size mark on right size and was able to then confirm ID with tags RN14.  Last time they saw him he was very green and looking a little thin.

Next they came across Kekoa Alii RK72 he was on the upper rocks above RN14. Kekoa has started his molt. He became aware of RN14s presence after hearing him groaning.  

Initially the heavy rains made it hard to to get a good view, but Team Billand did find Lei Ola RH48 near Kekoa. Finally Lei Ola looked up and the hook is still there snug. It does appear the sore is draining, but she does not show any sign of discomfort or stress. Team Billand informed NOAA of her status.

Team Billand also reported RL42 at Makua Cliffs. She was on the rocks snoozing, no one around because of the rains. She looks good, nice weight, no new markers seen.

 Right Spot R016
 Right Spot was an official witness
 Kea snoozing at the blowhole
 Right Spot smiling after the wedding
 and like any good guest didn't over stay
Rn14
 Kekoa Alii going through his molt
 Lei Ola

 RL42 

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