Monday, January 1, 2018

1/1/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn and Lesley. Lesley's Ka'ena Point Update is included in part 2.  Also a note from Gayle she only spotted 3 Rabbit Island Critters but she did not send any photos.

Marilyn started the new year by watching the first sunrise of the years with 1000s of others at Sandy Beach. From there she did the ascent of Kokohead Crater from near Halona Blowhole, then came down the Kokohead Stairs and finally came across the coastline from the Lanai Lookout Flats to the Fisherman's shrine before Eternity Beach. (Okay I'm just writing this and I am huffing and puffing) . Somewhere along the way someone mentioned that there was a seal on the beach near Kealahou stoplight. At 11:54 Marilyn stopped at Irma's Beach and found R016 Right Spot down near the water line. She blended in well with the water front rocks. Marilyn called and reported her ID to the hotline. She entered the water at 12:12 and appeared to be swimming in the Sandy Beach direction. 


When Team Billand first arrived at Maili there was one seal Kaale RH32 (butthead). He was on lower rocks, looked peaceful and alone. But this would change in the next hour. Next came Kekoa Alii very slow checking out the area, he came up on the high rocks and settled in.

PvKauai RW02 was next to arrive, he also came in slow and slithering in very quietly. He saw Kaale and passed him in stealth mode as if he didn't want to wake the baby, or stir up the the little head butt.

The next critter to come in also slow staying low like a hippo in a pond, so still, then galumphed up on lower rock passing Kaale without waking him. This critter was ID'd as RIP RR70.  (Kaale must have been really tired.)

And then there was room for one more.  RN14 started coming in, he did not hesitate when he saw Kaale.  He galumphed up to Kaale and they exchanged nuzzles. They are best seal buds and pretty darn cute. On their last afternoon check Team Billand found all five seals in the same spot chilling the first day of 2018 together.

Right Spot R016
Ka'ale
 Kekoa RK72

RW02 PvKauai
 RIP RR70 Hippo Style
RN14
 RN14 and Ka'ale BFFs

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