MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: March 3, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, March 3, 2019

March 3, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn.

Marilyn was at the pier today to view Rabbit Island and had some technical difficulties with the camera. We do have an update of the sightings, and the good news camera is fine just a minor adjustment. (whew).
On left point beach near water was an unknown subadult to adult seal, two tags and possible female. The critter stayed in almost the exact position for the entire viewing time. ( I hate when the do that, doesn't give you much to go on).
An unknown juvenile hauled out about 15 minutes later and about 50 yards right of the 1BS. Good possibility it is Hali'a RK38, small size, fairly green, 2 tags and female belly.
The next two seals were located near each other on the waterfront rocks on the Makapuu side of the middle cliff area.

RN46 Kea, adult size, male belly, natural bleaches on right and left front flippers and two tags.
R1KT, subadult to adult size, male belly, 2 tags and applied N3 bleach behind left shoulder.
UU, (unknown, unknown) juvenile size, but appears larger than a one year old. Light belly, did not see tags and could not confirm sex.

Marilyn also did a check at the east side beaches, blow hole, spitting cave and kokee flats, but did not find any critters.

Team Billand headed off to Paradise Cove at 8 am this morning. They got to the site and spotted a seal hauling in. There were people close by taking pictures. Team Billand ID'd Benny RE74 and called the hotline. It appears the folks taking pictures was a "photo shoot" and a model posing at times without clothes, this upset Auntie Nettie who called security after telling them to stop.
As a side note, there is a little humor to this story.... FOR those of you who remember the Benny and playboy magazine incident (ie playboy pond) you will appreciate Tammy's comment that Benny has upped his game to nude models. Ahhh da Benny never a dull moment.

Team Billand headed back to the west side and initially found two seals. There was RH36 Kawena and Kaale RH32. He was nudging her and she gave him some whoops. They settled in and then butthead would try again, Kawena was not having it so Kaale just layed there next to her.
Another seal hauled up and turned out to be Kekoa RK72. He did nothing, just checked out the youngsters, and the youngsters were aware of his arrival.

Team Billand didn't stay long and headed over to plains. There was Buster V08 already in a zone put up by the lifeguards. Buster seemed restless, moving about very unsettled. They called the hotline and a volunteer arrived.

Just before noon Team Billand headed over to Ewa Beach, and there was RH92 on shore. The female from Kauai on shore, she looks good and healthy. Volunteer was on site.

Then Team Billand headed back to the westside to check on the Kawena, Kaale and Kekoa. When they got there they found Lei Ola RH48 had joined the party. She was to the right of the trio. Lei Ola is looking really good, healthy, and most important no hooks.

Team Billand got a call from Auntie so they headed over to KoOlina where a functions was going on on her property. When they got to the beach there was Kolohe RW22 resting on the rocks. Aunties helpers had put up two signs which was good and Kolohe was in a good spot because he was hard to see, until you walked to the right. Team Billand called the hotline and waited for volunteer to arrive and then called it a day.

Benny