DB Post 12.30.09 Wednesday

On my first look at Rabbit Island at 0734 I found what would prove to be Sadie up in the grass at the right end of the beach. She would later move down and spend the day, allowing the ID.

On my 0803 Spitting Cave check I found RIP doing 7 minute dives, and Duke doing 6 minute dives. They were widely separated and it was a straight foraging episode, with no interaction.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 0930 I found Right Spot just hauling out to the right of 1BS. I loved seeing that big ol' right spot. I KNEW that I wasn't going to see Sandy Beach today. Thank you Righty !!

At 1157 Mikala hauled out fronting 1BS. All cast members remained there all day .

Team Billand called at 0915 reporting Kermit at Nimitz Beach fronting Pavilion #1813 (basically yesterday's location), and Rocky near Kermit's Reef on the west side of the Nimitz Beach jetty. This too was her location yesterday. Barbara checked in again at 1450 to advise that Kermit was still there, but Rocky had departed.

Right Spot

Sadie
Mikala
RIP
Duke

More from the Billand's 12.30.09

Blog Lady!!!!!!!!!!

DB said he got aliens in his computer again. Sooooo, he said send pics to you honey....Here they are. Use what you like. Out of 209 pics, it took for ever to choose a few. Happy New Year Kid!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all you do, your blog site is MARVELOUS!!

2009 has proved to be a very tragic year in the monk seal world. When ya think about it....four seals shot, monk seal bites a lady on Kauai, all pups born on outer islands instead of Oahu. KP2 Goes Blind, shipped to California, twelve seals get hooked, RO42 shipped far away from Oahu, and Rob gets hit in the head with an object. Wow, incredible.

We have to believe....that 2010 WILL be BETTER!!!!! Lets all say our prayers and wishes for all our children of the sea.

K den, here are the pics of todays find.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!! B
And a special blessing to you and Rob for all that you do...

DB Post Tuesday 12.29.09

My first pass through the SE quadrant was a bust until I got to Spitting Cave. Initially , I found Buster, but then I realized there were 2 animals there, The other turned out to be RIP. Buster was doing 8 minute dives and RIP ten. As I logged the dive times I saw that on the next up they would both be on the surface at the same time. Just like I had a clue what I was doing, sure enough at 0825 both came to the surface together. They did so again on the next up, but then their dive times began to separate again. As I was departing Spitting Cave I met posse member Susan, who was just going down. As I was approaching the pier I got a call from the office. Mark said a lady called at 0921 asking that he tell DB that there were 3 animals at SC. When I got back at 0931 I found that Duke had joined the cast. He and Buster were playing, and RIP wanted nothing to do with them.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 1100 I found that Sadie was now at 3BS, and Kolohe with Mikala were on the water front rocks at the far right end of the beach. All would remain there for the observation period.

At 1400 I did a Sandy Beach check and found Right Spot at the east end of the beach in her usual spot. A witness said she had hauled out at 1350. I never did receive a call from the office. I got her cordoned off and did lots of PR. I'll be returning shortly.

Once again Team Billand had a busy little day. They called at 1058 to report Rocky behind Kermit's Reef on the west side of the Nimitz jetty, and then again at 1100 to report Kermit fronting pavillion #1813 at Nimitz Beach. Apparently , Kermit would be run off, but return to the same spot again, after a forage. The last call came at 1500 reporting that Benny had just hauled out to join Rocky.

RIP, Buster & Duke

Buster & Duke
Right Spot
Kermit

Rocky & Benny

DB Post Monday 12.28.09

My first pass through the SE quadrant was a bust, but when I got back to Makai Pier at 0922 I found Duke up in the Morning Glory , right of 3BS on Rabbit Island. He would later move down, allowing the ID.

Allow me to digress just a moment. For the past couple of weeks I'd been seeing a Seal Gull fly by at Sandy Beach, and again at Spitting Cave. We do not have Sea Gulls here, but they do occasionally get blown in on winter storms. Today I found said Sea Gull on the rocks at the far right end of the beach on Rabbit Island. As I was panning down to check him out once again at 0958, I suddenly found Mojo, Kolohe and Mikala just moving into view on the water front rocks in a tight little gang , just to the left of the gull. There was some interaction between Mojo and Kolohe, and Mikala was just trying to stay out of the way. At 1030 Mojo would move out of my line of sight, followed shortly thereafter by Mikala. Kolohe would remain in view until 1307.

When I got back to Makai Pier after my 1000 to 1100 Sandy Beach check (lookin' for Right Spot.. I do hourly checks) I found that Mojo had moved over to join Duke at the water front rocks of 3BS. Both would remain there the rest of the day.

A call from Mark at 1520 reported an animal at Sandy Beach. There had been nobody there on my 1500 check. When I arrived at 1532 I found Right Spot at the east end. A witness said she had hauled out at 1510. I got her cordoned off and did lots of PR. I'll recheck her shortly.

Team Billand had a busy little day. The first call came at 0945 reporting Irma at Tracks. Next came a call at 1048 reporting Rocky at "Kermit's Reef" on the west side of the Nimitz jetty, and lastly, at 1100 reporting Kermit fronting the pavillion at Nimitz Beach. A call from Barbara at 1550 advised that all remained in their respective locations.

Right Spot departed Sandy Beach at 1913.

Mojo, Kolohe & Mikala
Duke & Mojo
Right Spot
Irma
Rocky
Kermit

DB Post Sunday 12.27.09

On my first look at Rabbit Island at 0711 I found what would prove to be Buster , partially visible up in the grass, 50 ft right of 3BS. When I got back to MP at 0920 he had moved down to the water line where he remained for the rest of the day. At 1123 Duke hauled out at the right end of the beach, and remained there the rest of the day. Those two were the only RI residents for today.

I had done 3 pass through Sandy Beach already, and was just coming down the hill after my Spitting Cave when I got simultaneous calls from posse members Momi, and Martha, at 0817,reporting an animal just hauling out to the east end of Sandy Beach. I could see the action for myself as I passed Blow Hole coming down toward Sandy Beach. At 0824 I confirmed Right Spot, and cordoned her off. My wife and I rechecked her throughout the day, and posse member Diane and hubby were there at the 1500 check (returning yesterday's Benny in Waikiki signs..... thank you !!).

Team Billand reported Kermit at White Plains at 0734, and then reported Benny at Wind Sock, Kalaeloa Beach at 1017. There were multiple calls from the Billands and from Dana Jones establishing the fact that Benny departed Wind Sock (dogs), and came for a short visit with Kermit at 1200, and then came to stay at 1333.

Posse member Keith Kenyon did the KP trek today, and found Kerby & Ka'ena along with 2 other players to be named later. I'll have to mind meld with Tracy when she gets back.

Right Spot departed Sandy Beach at 1859. I picked up the stuff and called it a day at 1900.

Duke
Right Spot
Kerby & Kaena

DB Post (cont) 12.27.09

Benny on Waikiki Beach

Aloha Good People... here's Benny enjoying Waikiki Beach protected by the kiddie pool.... this is the exact location he popped up in back in November. Now this raises a interesting question... do the seals have certain territorial spots they "claim"... because this isn't just that he hauled out in Waikiki again and close to an area where he was... but we are talking the same exact spot.... Ahhh what we learn from these animals.... AND like DB has said sooo many times, just when you think you know what they are going to do... they don't ! (thank you Karen R for the photo). ~donna~

DB Post 12.26.09 Saturday

I was on the road at 0600, but did not find an animal until my 1st Makai Pier look at Rabbit Island at 0707. I found what would prove to be Mojo at 1BS, Sadie at 3BS, and Duke at the right end of the beach, at a place I call Seal Rock Inlet (SRI). When I got back to Makai Pier at 1130 I found that Mojo and moved to 3BS and was now along side Sadie , near the water line fronting 3BS. I also found that Duke at SRI had been joined by Mikala. All would remain at those locations the rest of the day.

Between my wife and myself, hourly checks were done of Sandy Beach, at as of 1600 our day has been Right Spot free !

At 0815 Mark called to report an animal in Waikiki. When I arrived at 0915 I found Benny. I got him cordoned off, and Mark called Jenn to set up a volunteer schedule. I departed Waikiki at 1050. As far as I know Benny is still there as of this writing.

Team Billand called at 0750 to say that Kermit & Irma were together near the east end fence at White Plains. Barbara checked in at 1810 to advise that Kermit & Irma were still on the beach when White Plains closed for the day.

Diane Gabriel called at 1815 with those wonderful words..."Benny is leaving" . Thank you to my fellow Privates in the Monk Seal Army , serving at both White Plains and Waikiki. Ya' Done Good !!!!!
benny does waikiki
mojo & sadie
mikala & duke
okay if these two don't look like an old married couple i don't know what does... too cute.
kermit and irma

DB Post - Christmas Day

Christmas morning began as a drizzly mess. I was out the door at 0600 and when I arrived at Sandy Beach I found that Right Spot had departed so I picked up the signs and continued on.

I would find my first animal at 0730 while checking Rabbit Island from Makai Pier. What would prove to be RIP, was just hauling out fronting 3BS . He galumphed up and into the Morning Glory fronting 3BS.

On our 0800 recheck of Sandy Beach, there was Right Spot newly hauled out once again at the east end of the bleach. We cordoned her off and continued on. She has remained there all day.

We were back at Makai Pier at 1037, and found that RIP had been joined in the Morning Glory by Duke. We also found RIP's younger brother Mojo at 2BS. All 3 critters would remain there all day, with no observed interaction. They had a perfect Monk Seal day. Cool, rainy, and made for snoozin' .

Team Billand checked in at around 0900 to report that they were observing Kermit off shore of the Nimitz jetty, apparently happily foraging. They would call again atd 1220 to advise that Kermit had hauled out to Nimitz. Thankfully, there were no White Plains critters today. Thank you Kermit !!! Barbara called at 1715 to advise that Kermit had departed Nimitz.

While perusing YouTube today, I found footage of Irma at Spitting Cave. Though it was added today, I think the footage of probably from yesterday or the day before. Too close for my taste, but it was definitely Irma.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydcg_JctNP4

My wife decided that she would walk down to Sandy Beach, (we're close), and check on Right Spot. My plan was to drive down later and give her a ride back. So much for the plan! Marilyn called at 1559 to report that there were TWO animals in the cordon, and she recognized Benny. I immediately went down and upon arrival confirmed that it was Benny. According to witnesses he had arrived at 1500. They were still there when I departed at 1730. I'll be returning shortly.

Benny started getting antsy and finally bugged Right Spot into the water at 1853. I packed up and called it a day at 1900.


Kermit

Mele Kalikimaka

Thanks Barb for sending the pic of Mrs. Surfing Claus....

Just want to take this opportunity to wish all you seal bloggers a very happy holiday however you chose to celebrate. It is my sincere pleasure to bring to you the daily updates from DB, Barb and Rob and many of HMSRTO volunteers and I look forward t0 2010... bless you all and bless our Hawaiian Monk Seals. Warmest Aloha ~donna~da blog lady

Xmas eve with Kermit

Aloha good people, here's the email Barb sent me about todays' events out at white plains while watching Kermit. To the best of my knowledge Rob is fine ( thank goodness).... and as Barb says who knows... but it does bring out a good point... As volunteers we are out there and often worry about people harming the animals, we have to be careful for our own safety... I want to beleive this was some weird accident... but regardless... Rob you are in my thoughts for a quick recovery. ~donna

Hi, It was a great morning with the beautiful sunrise, A monk seal before us...Kermit. We were taking care of him, making sure he had a nice perimeter and all, the same thing we do every single day.

Suddenly three little kids crossed the perimeter, little kids. W both took off to make them get out immediately, with Daddy standing right there. Gave them some information of the dangers with monk seals that are wild, yet cuddly and cute. Our regular Seal 101. All was ok, the little family understood, keep away.

10:29am As I just snapped the last photo of Kermit, Rob had suddenly fallen to the ground to his knees. He almost knocked out. I didnt know what was wrong. Then he rose to his feet slowly, and to my shock was full of blood, his hands his face, neck, his shirt was splattered too. I thought he got shot or something or a beesting, but the blood just gushed out fast and I had nothing to cover the injury. A beach goer loaned us her sons tshirt. Rob put pressure to stop it.

I knew he needed help. I wanted to know who did this???? I turned to look at the crowd behind us, I just yelled, WHo done this, any one see anything???? Not one word from anyone. One lady said all she saw was this thing bouncing off of Robs head and she heard a thud.

I ran to the lifeguards to help Rob. Rob made his way over and they were shocked to see all the blood and immediately cleaned Robs face neck and hands of the blood. There was a little hole on his head, thats it.

I immediately called Base Police who were so full of questions. They came immediately, we looked around for the object and didnt see nothing.

Someone called the paramedics, not us, They checked him out. All was ok. Vitals high, but ok. No stitches needed. Bleeding stopped.

Rob refused to go for an examination. After all infor was exchanged, we continued to look in the crowd, continued to watch for Kermits safety.

Why????? I am very disappointed in MAN. Why????

Surfers got word of what happened...alll were shocked and angry, WHO they asked. We'lll never know.

Left at 1:00pm, made sure Kermit was fine. Rob decided to make the perrimeter even Larger so Kermit was safe. A Base Police Officer helped us, he was pissed. Even the surfer David came to help. We made Kermits thing HUGE!!!!!

Day is done, got to shop and be with Family now. Be safe Kermit.

I wonder, was the object ment for my Robert, was the object ment for Kermit or was it just an accident??? Hmmm.

Merry Xmas all, B


Some one called the Paramedics, not us.

After all was done....we continued our sitting with Kermit. He was fine the whole time we were there.