09/30/2021 Thursday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Team T&D, Melody and Team R&B💕.  Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies.

Team T&D still on the Big Island made the long drive to Volcanoes National Park. They didn't see any lava as it was too low in the crater. They were able to see all the gases coming up, Madam Pele awakening. 

On their way back they found R405 another large female hauled out.

R405 makes number nine of the nine seals that reside on the Big Island. They were told by a friend the fact they have seen nine seals during their time on the island meant the seal gods were looking down on them. Tammy corrected them and told them it was DB, many thanks to her friend and mentor 💓

Melody received a call last evening that Rocky had come up on shore at a west side location. It was late so she called one of the community volunteers to go check, and Melody called the hotline. 

Melody got up early this morning and found Rocky galumphing down towards the water. She is looking healthy and doing well. She has started her molt, but Rocky is taking things in stride moving on the sand and into the water very easily.  Melody send photos in to confirm her ID and that she was molting. I know Melody must have been thrilled to see her favorite, since its been a while.

Team R&B headed out and saw two seals in the outfall foraging.

Aukai who is an excellent fisher, she was catching lots of fish on her own. RN14 Kalani was going all over the place catching what he could. They both left the area and headed towards tracks. When they arrived neither seal was there, but they met up with Melody. They saw three seals passing and none of them landed. Kaale had joined Aukai and Kalani. RN14 finally arrived looked around on land then headed back out in Honolulu direction. In the end none of them hauled out and they all left the area.

Next stop Team R&B arrived at the bay and found RL20 foraging near the jetty. They had been getting text from one of the fishers "Da seal here steaking fish Auntie, Da green little seal."  Sure enough it was the little green munchkin. He was everywhere after the school of Akule. 

Moving on they finally located R3CX Nalu on shore and he is looking quite handsome. He is 100% molted, and they were really happy to find him in his new coat.

Lastly Team R&B had been looking for Benny RE74 for the last couple of days. They finally came

across him on the rocks. Unfortunately he has a hook with a long line attached. They reported one line coming over his neck and when he flipped they spotted another line coming from the right side of his mouth. He didn't toss his head or struggle at all, he just rested on the rocks. Benny is very special to Team R&B, so hopefully he will find a nice sandy area to haul out and the professionals can get to him.

R405 fat female on the Big Island

Rocky 

Aukai

RN14

Kaale

Kalani RN14

RL20 Kalua

R3CX Nalu

Benny RE74

09/30/2021 Thursday (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Yesterday I checked the beach at sunrise the only seal was an overnighted R407 Kawika. After several meetings I headed out to the point late. Still looking for our hooked Benny. Alas he was MIA.

I also documented RG28 Lefty who overnighted on a nice sandy beach. RW02 PVKauai was sleeping on a small sandy beach in a tide pool. RO40 Ka'ena was sleeping on some reefs in a tide pool, I walked past him and only saw him on my way back. He was so well blended in.

Team T&D Shearwater chicky is getting so big

This morning I walked up on an overnighted RG28 Lefty. Seems he may have started his

molt. I looked from far that he already had several very small pukas on his coat. He spent the day on the beach. We'll see tomorrow.

Next was RN04 Kainoa who also overnighted and spent the day on the beach. He may also have started his molt

KG54 Huaka'i was sleeping peacefully, her trail and wallow told me she overnighted there.

RL98 Lina is back from her trip around the point. She overnighted and spent the day on the beach

RL74 Kami also showed up, she spent the day in a small cove

RW02 PVKauai was doing the hippo in another pool at the point. Not far from him a Sandpiper got the catch of the day !

On my way back I found a freshly hauled out RN58 Luana, if not disturbed I believe she'll overnight.  More soon - Be Safe 

09/29/2021 Wednesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team T&D and Team R&B💕

Team T&D are still on the Big Island and found only one seal today. They saw Manu'iwa RK26, but during their afternoon beach walk they did see 3 turtles snuggled up together.  Given the recent activity at Halemaumau I have a feeling checking for seals will not be the priority tomorrow.

Team R&B found RL20 Kalua at the bay. He was there foraging in the morning and on their afternoon check. Along with foraging he was seen stealing fish once again.

At another west side location they spotted a seal swimming around, near one of the woman from the camp and her dog. By the time Team R&B got to the area, the seal turned around and hauled up on seal inlet.  They ID'd RW22 Kolohe, with a wound on top of his nose.  This poor guy keeps getting wounds on or around his snout.

Next stop was at the outfall where they discovered two seals foraging together. They were able to ID Aukai RL12 with her beautiful coat. She was busy going about the area, in and out of the outfall. Then there was Kaale RH32 foraging close to Aukai. He was being a gentleman by not bothering her just staying close.

After watching them for a couple of hours, they saw that one of the seals took off and was heading towards tracks. They headed over and sure enough the seal landed but then entered the water and kept going. Finally Team R&B caught up and it was Kaale RH32. He hauled out again.  They made sure he was okay and thankfully no one ran up to the seal. Kaale settled in so they left the area.

RK26

RL20 Kalua

Kolohe RW22

Aukai and Kaale

Aukai

Kaale RH32

Kaale