6/16/2010 DB Dailies

The day began with a 0628 look at Rabbit Island. Ewa Girl & pup were busy with the first of 3 observed feeds. I also found what would later prove to be Sadie up in the Morning Glory 40 ft left of 1BS, and Kolohe up in the grass, 150 ft right of 3BS.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 0825 I found that Duke had joined the cast. He was lying in the spot that Ewa Girl & pup call home. Mom and the kid were out for a swim, but I could not immediately find them.

At 0848 Sadie would move down and ultimately galumph over to join Duke. They began playing on the beach and that lead to moving into the water to continue play. They departed just the nick of time, because just as they left, Ewa Girl & pup returned and hauled out to the exact spot the other two had just vacated.

The morning swim session for Ewa Girl & Pup was noteworthy. Since D#1 they furthest they had traveled was no more that 300 ft right of their home spot at the left end of the beach. As I said earlier I couldn't immediately find them , but as I was watching Kolohe move down to cool off , right of 3BS, I saw a momentary glimpse of a black thing in the water in front of his location, A few seconds later Mom and pup came into view. This is approximately 300 yds right of there home location at the left end of the island and is the first observed swim that covered that much territory. They would return to their starting point at the left end of the beach to haul out. The duration of the swim was approximately 2 hrs. In the afternoon they would do another swim, but this one was 30 minutes in length and was done in th immediate area of their starting point.

As stated earier, Duke and Sadie hit the water for a swim / play session. Sadie would haul out just a few minutes later with Buster in hot pursuit. They would spend the rest of the day together out on the left end rock flats. Duke would haul out by himself , 100 ft right of 3BS, where he spent the rest of the day.

Team Billand called at 0715 to report that 4DF was still at Oneula Place, in Ewa Beach for D#7. The wonderful new that this was D#1 of her molt came a few minutes later. 4DF was gone when they arrived for their 1700 check.

Team Billand found Rocky at Kermit's Reef, Nimitz Beach, at 1739. She appeared to be passing tapeworms, but analysis by the office tomorrow will provide more info. Worms are quite common in Monk Seals.

Ewa Girl and Pup

Ewa Girl, Pup, Buster, and Sadie

Buster