5/21/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Lesley. Lesley's full Ka'ena Point Update is part two of the dailies.  I am also going to include a new section " Things I saw on Social Media " seems as though these days there are a lot more sightings from people so why not share here. 

Team Billand was out early checking their usual spots with no luck today. So Barb headed out to Ka'ena West trek and was thrilled to find RH32 Ka'ale on the rocks, looking like he was ready to move.  Barbara called NOAA immediately and spoke with Dr. Michelle about his condition, and all it good. His girth is good, color green, alert, no thrashing, no line or hooks visible.  Ka'ale galumphed higher up and then turned around facing the water, as if expecting another seal.  



Barbara kept watching and sure enough, there is another seal coming in really fast. The seal hauls up to meet Ka'ale and Barbara was able to ID RIP RR70.  He entered the shallows for about 20 minutes, watching little Ka'ale. He briefly rejoined him then passed to head over to the water hole for a snooze.  On Barbs way out from the walk, both seals remained and snoozing.

After much looking at all the spots, Barbara spotted RO40 Ka'ena snoozing by runway alone. He is huge, healthy, no hooks or new injuries. She left Ka'ena Point and he was still in the same spot.

Unfortunately Barbara found no other seals, BUT she did come across some beautiful albatross.  There were chicks getting big, some trying to flex their wings, actually jumping off the ground a few inches with the wind.

Things I saw on social media today:
The folks at Hanauma Bay spotted a seal and called it in. Turns out when a volunteer arrived the seal was ID'd as Kolohe RW22. Good to hear about this boy, been a while since we've mentioned him on the blog.

One of my kayak friends saw RJ30 Wailea today out at the Mokes. This is Nani's little one, and from what I understand she's been out there for a couple of days.

Kaimana RJ58/59 has been spotted recently (don't know if it was today, but seems as though it's pretty recent).

Mojo RI17 was also spotted recently. I don't know if the photos were of a sighting or just an announcement that he is Kaiwi's older brother and Irma's second born son. Then it was mentioned that he was spotted on 3/8/2018 on MCBH and called into the hotline. 

RA20 is molting on the Big Island. Her pup is a weaner named Manu'iwa. 

There was a plethora of pup photos.... PO4, PO5, PO3 and their Mommas!

Kaale RH32

 RIP N1 and Kaale

 RIP RR70 N1

Ka'ena RO40

Albatross