8/17/2017 Monk Seal Dailies: Ka'ale, UU@Rabbit Island, News from Kauai and Rocky RH58

Today's Dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, an update from Gayle, Kauai News from our pal Val and NEW contributor to our blog photographer Melody Bentz who spent endless hours with Kaimana and Rocky.  FYI, there is still no news from Ka'ena Point. 

Team Billand's only find today was Ka'ale RH32 snoozing all alone this morning. He remained for the day during the super high tide.  They searched from Iroquios to Maili and found no seals, well Barb sorry to day your timing was off today. 

Team Billand was hopeful when spotting a yellow sign and check to see if there was a seal, but NO... it was an old monk seal sign turned into turtle signs for eggs.  Cool Recycle/Reuse! 

Gayle didn't send photos but did check Rabbit Island and spotted one Unknown.  She checked for Right Spot but no luck.

Our pal Val sent an amazing photo of three seals resting on a beach on Kauai while she was doing net patrol. She identified them a RK22 foreground, RV18 in the middle and RF30 at the end.  If you remember V18 was just recently on Oahu, and is back home.  To quote Val "Life is good when ya do good."   

With GREAT excitement photographer Melody Bentz spotted Rocky at Iroquios Point early evening  and estimated she had been there for a few hours based on no sign of her wallows from hauling out.  Melody reported her looking good, then and a lot of algae. After being there for 30 minutes she hauled back into the water.  When Melody left she was foraging along the rocks in the cove... which means she'll be putting on some weight soon.  Thank you Melody! 

Ka'ale RH32 

Kauai Seals: RK22, V18 (V26/27), and RF30 

unfortunately if you look closely there is a huge amount of plastic that has been washed up. 

ROCKY !!!  RH58

5/24/2016 New Pup on Kauai

RK22 gave birth on Kauai.... I don't think my pal Val will mind my sharing her facebook pic here on the blog.... whoo hoo another baby!  Ho'ailona's littlest sibling

5/31/2014 DB's Dailies: Pua,M38,Kainoa&UU@RI, Kaiwi@KK, U/U@SC, M&M,Buster@WP, Haupu@Nanakuli, Luana&Ka'ena@KP

On my first look at Rabbit Island at 0653 from the Makapuu Overview I found what would prove to be M38 fronting Left Greenery . When I got down the Makai Pier at 0711, I found Kainoa (RN04), 40 ft right of 3BS.

 Also at 0711 I found an animal in Seal Rock Inlet, that I was never able to identify. All I could ever see was just a sliver of what was probably a juvenile belly, hidden behind the water front rocks. When I got back to Makai Pier at 0845 I found Pua (RF34) at Left Greenery. There would be minimal interaction with M38.

 At 1015 posse member Linda called with the report of Kaiwi (RK96) on the Kokee Flats, behind her house. When I arrived at 1030 I confirmed the Kaiwi ID.

 At 1121 Gayle called with the report of an animal at Spitting Cave. She confirmed that it was the same U/U from yesterday, but it’s algae buildup. She saw two ups. Unfortunately the animal was no longer there by the time I arrived at 1140. Maybe tomorrow (I said that yesterday too). Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow.

 Team Billand called at 0717 with the report of M&M (R020) fronting the showers at White Plains.

 At 0803 they called again to advise that Buster (RV08) was sneaking up behind her at the showers.

 Marilyn & Lesley did the Ka’ena Point trek again today. Marilyn reported having found Luana (RN58) at Hidden Beach on the way in from the Mokuleia side, and at 0900, Ka’ena (RO40) at Ka’ena’s Pool at the point.

 Team Billand called to advise they had gotten a hotline call about an animal at Depot’s Beach, Nanakuli. When they arrived at 1105 they found Haupu (RB24).

 Diga checked in at 1425 with reports ofd La’akea (RK82) at Right Spot’s Spot, and Kaikaina (RL54) At Elbow Beach, Kaihalulu Beach, Turtle Bay. Sadly, no photos.

 Team Billand will be at White Plains with Buster & M&M til’ the wee hours so check da’ blog for their day in the morning.

 Thanks to Gary for Pohaku,PK2 and RK22&PK1 from Kauai from yesterday.

Pua and M38 

 UU 

 Kaiwi 

 Pohaku and RK22 what a good momma 

 pohaku and pup..... RK22 and her pup

 Its like a maternity ward beach!

 Ka'ena

 Luana

 little cutey!

5-30-2014 DB's Dailies: Pua,M38&Kainoa@RI, U/U@SC, Buster@WP, Haupu@KoOlina, RK22,PK1,Pohaku&PK2@ Kauai

Despite being on the road a 0600 , it would be 0805 before the first critter entered my life. Gayle called at 0805 to report an U/U at Spitting Cave. When I arrived at 0830 I joined Gayle watching what continued to be an U/U doing 8-10 minute dives at SC. It appeared to be an medium sized animal with 2 red tags, and no visible markers. Though I got a decent tag shot, there proved to be nothing visible on the tag. The animal had some algae build up below the eyes, and also around the fore flippers, and at the ankles and hind flippers. It remained an U/U. I went back for an afternoon check at 1258, but the animal was gone. Maybe tomorrow ??????

 On my 2nd look at Rabbit Island at 1018 I found what would prove to be Kainoa (RN04)& M38 40 feet right of 3BS.

 At 1028 I found a newly hauled out Pua (RF34) fronting 1BS on RI.

 At 0749 Team Billand advised that Buster (RV08) was at White Plains , lolling at the water line fronting the Snack Shack. An uncaring surfer walked right to him despite the Billand’s pleas, and ran him off.

Buster would haul out further down the beach fronting #1707, at 0800.

 At 1130 the Billands advised that they’d gotten a call about an U/U at Lagoon#2 at KoOlina.

At 1022 they confirmed the Haupu (RB24) ID. They would depart her departure at 1410.

 Much Mahalos to Gary Lange on Kauai for his shots of Mom RK22 & Pup PKI, and Pohaku (RO28)& Pup PK2 at a secret spot . Val advised last night that RK30 has now pupped at the same location.

 Holy pup party.... How amazing is this.... Would love to get more info on how their interactions went... playful? aggressive? a little of both?  Mom's going back and forth and kids having a ball?

 u/u at spitting cave 

 Buster at white plains

 selfish surfer ... karma going to get you.... watch yourself

 you tell him Buster ... I stutter

 Haupu at KoOlina

5/14/2014 DBs Dailies: Weaner,Kainoa&M38@RI, R018, M&M@WP, Buster & U'ilani@RR

From the Makapuu Overview at 0648 I could see our little weaner foraging amongst the near shore rocks fronting 2BS on Rabbit Island.  It was 1111 before the kid decided to haul out to 2BS. Once again I was lookin’ at a female belly.

 At 0837 I found Kainoa (RN04) just hauling out to the far left end of RI. His N0 bleach is nearly impossible to see anymore, but his newly acquired CC scar over the LFF is a lifesaver.

 On a pan at 1139 I found M38 snoozin’ on the water front rocks of Seal Rock Inlet. He was gone with the rising tide at 1250. I did not see him again today.

 Team Billand reported an overnighted R018 fronting #1707 , White Plains. He would depart at 0904 but was seen “logging” off shore of #1760 for a while thereafter.

 At 0648 the Billands reported M&M heaping abuse on her favorite buoy at White Plains. She would haul out fronting Tower#2 at 0709.

 At 1305 the Billands advised that Eileen had called with the report of Buster (RV08) at the birth beach, and a foraging U’ilani (RN36) off shore at the Reef Runway.

 Our pal Val checked in today with more shots of RK22 and her pup, KP1. Enjoy ! thanks Val!

 The Billands are once again runnin’ late. Check the blog in the morning for their day.

Kainoa 

 weaner

 Kauai's first pup of 2014

RK22 snuggling with the kid  

 great shot... gives you a nice view of momma and baby side by side