MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: December 20, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, December 21, 2019

December 20, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Melody and posse pal Vicki.

In the yesterday's news department posse pal Vicki had a four seal day! Needless to say Vicki was pretty happy to find four critters, but what really got her attention was witnessing for the first time a seal making shishi.
Vicki found two seals on the north shore, one she was able to ID by his tag G40 Holokai. and the other seal who made shishi had an unreadable tag and a line scar right front flipper. After checking with the posse they believe this critter to be RK36 Kauai Kolohe.

The boys were in snooze mode, until Holokai went into the water vocalizing at RK36. RK36 ignored him so Holokai left, only to return a little bit later.

While up on the north shore Vicki spotted Right Spot R016. Not sure if she was in her spot, but looking closely at her chest she may be starting her molt.

Vicki also got to see the lovely Sadie RB12. Not sure if this was on her way up to the north shore or on her way home.

Today's news Team Billand was watching the dolphins this morning at 7:15. They also spotted a seal with two red tags swimming about 50 feet off shore. They couldn't make an ID then the seal took off and disappeared.

About 20 minutes later Team Billand were at the outfall and spotted an animal swimming in the outfall. They were able to ID Kalani RN14 before he headed out in went towards Honolulu.
They walked over to the point and spotted Kalani come up on the rocks to rest. There they met up with Melody and her friend Diane.

Team Billand left the site to check a few other beaches. When they returned to check on RN14 Kalani he was gone, but now RW22 Kolohe was on the rocks alone snoozing.
Team Billand spent some time talking with Melody and Diane on ID'ing Kolohe and Kalani's natural cue ball bleach marks.

At 10:30 at another west side location Team Billand found RIP and RW02 PvKauai halled out to the right snoozing together. Then there was R3CU alone on lower rocks.

Seems the word was out and this was the place to be if you were a seal. Seal number four came in, ID'd as Kawena RH36. She hauled up and went to the play boy pond then on to the rocks.
And not to disappoint seal number 5 came in and met up with R3CU. This turned out to be RH32 Ka'ale and once he sees Kawena and went straight for her.
Ka'ale was being his butt-head self and bugging her her. Kawena fought back and he would lay on her at times to keep her in place.

At 12:30 Team Billand headed over to plain where the found RH92 Nalani. Last time Team Billand saw her was when she was hooked and released. She is looking good, no hooks or lines seen. Lifeguards put up the signs with ropes. Team Billand stayed for an hour

educating the few folks out on the windy beach.

Just before 4 pm Team Billand did the Ka'ena west trek and found RN58 Luana. The weather was not great, lightening, raining and windy. Luana was sleeping alone, looking healthy. She was the only critter they found.

Melody's day pretty much mirrored Team Billand. She and HMSPO volunteer Diane were out surveying beaches on the west side. Melody sent some photos but also a video. We love videos ! Pour another cup of coffee and allow for a little extra time to watch the video.

Right Spot