5/31/2016 DB's Dailies: Sadie&Pup, RG33, UM&UF@Rabbit Island, Kolohe@Lanai Lookout, RL42&RIP@Makua Cliffs

Though not as bad as yesterday it was nevertheless difficult to get an ID on Rabbit Island today. Fortunately Sadie&Pup (D#34) were no brainers, as was little RG32 when he galumphed out of the high grasses behind Seal Rock Inlet on RI. The job got more difficult with an U/F that I found at 0647, up in the Morning Glory, right of 3BS. Equally difficult was getting an ID on the male who hauled out to join her at 1024. Though I tried all day, I was never able to confirm an ID on either, though I have some thoughts.

 Kimo S., called from Sandy Beach at 0745 to advise that an animal had swum by him in the shore break line up. He managed to get some shots but they are inconclusive. It is possible that the animal may have been Kekoa, based on one of the shots showing a right side facial scar, but ???? I tried to connect that find with the U/M at RI, but I could not see anything that would confirm that ID.

 At 1400 I found Kolohe (RW22) snoozin’ on the Lanai Lookout Flats.

 Team Billand checked in at 0916 to advise that they were with RL42 at Makua Cliffs.

 At 1445 they advised that RIP (RR70) had hauled out to join her.

RG32

 Sadie and Pup... wonder if we have a little boy or girl? 

 UM and UF

 the greeting

 playing around

Kolohe

 Rip

 Rip and RL42

 RL42

 Who are UU?

HMMA 5/30 Update

The only activity to report is that at 1450 we got a call about a seal on the beach at Mokuleia Beach. A traffic accident had traffic closed both directions along Kam Highway so response was delayed. Later in the afternoon North Sector manager Don reported the seal was R912 Nihoa Girl. (no pictures today).

5/30/2016 DB's Dailies: Sadie&Pup,JU & UM@ Rabbit Island, Pohaku@CIP, RL42@Makua Cliffs, Nihoa@Camp Mokuleia

Tough observation conditions for Rabbit Island today. Too much rain and minimal visibility. I found what must be carried as an J/U on the left rock flats. Yesterday it was Kainoa, and might well be today, but I just couldn’t see well enough to prove it.

 Initially I couldn’t see Sadie &Pup (D#33), but at 0810 I glimpsed them in the shallows at the left end of RI. They would haul out for a feed and a snooze, and then back to the water. The would be 2 additional feeds and another water session.

 At 1002 an U/M hauled out of Seal Rock Inlet and moved up into the Morning Glory. Again, I was never able to see well enough to call it anything but an U/M.

 Marilyn called at 0844 with the report of Buster (RV08) at China Walls. ID was by his V38 tag. He seems to have something new on his right shoulder. Can’t quite tell what it is, but will keep an eye on it.

 At 0700 Team Billand reported Pohaku (RO28) foraging off shore of Campbell Industrial Park.

 They found another forager at 1020. This time it was RL42 off shore of Makua Cliffs.

 Lesley&Kimo checked in at 1757 with the report of Nihoa (R912) at Camp Mokuleia.

 Buster at China Walls

 what that on your shoulder Buster boy?

 Pup and Sadie ( the kid is blowing up like a tick) 

 U/M

Nihoa

 Thank you Lesley

 Pohaku

 RL42

 good work Team Billand

HMMA - Update 5/29

Overall a pretty slow day in terms of seal activity. Sector Manager Jon found the greenish RG40 Holokai at Elbow Beach at Turtle Bay about 1330. Just a little human traffic to engage with during the day. At about 1500 we received a call regarding a seal on the beach at Oneula Beach in Ewa. North Sector manager Don was able to dispatch, get to the seal resting on a tree and she was IDed as RH58 Rocky based on scars and natural bleach marks. Thanks for the extra driving Don.

Rocky and tree :-)

 Holokai

From NOAA's Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Facebook Page RF28

Pohaku's little dude RF28 caught a hook on Kauai and was brought to the NOAA facility for surgery and some rest. The following photos are from the their facebook page and are the property of NOAA.

We are happy and relieved this little one got such great care and is on the road to recovery.... 
Oh and a big shout out to the Coast Guard who always come through!

hold steady

 Dr. Greg doing his magic

 oh that's nasty 

 YEA! Coast Guard! 

 Recovering nicely.... 

Video Link:
https://www.facebook.com/HMSRP/?fref=ts

5/29/2016 DB's Dailies: Sadie&Pup(D#32), Cass & Kainoa@Rabbit Island, Pohaku@CIP, RIP& RL42@Makua Cliffs

At 0730 I found Sadie & Pup (D#32) just hauling out at the left end of Rabbit Island and beginning a feed and snooze session. There would be 2 additions water sessions and 3 feeds observed. The kid is an load !

 Also at 0730 I found Cass (RG06) at Seal Rock Inlet. She would remain all day.

 At 0834 a Bad Guy would land at the 3BS and explore the island. He had seen Cass prior to landing so he made a point of stopping by to see her. She was zonked and did not respond. I naturally called DOCARE, but heard the words that I didn’t want to hear, but knew that I would. Sorry, everybody is working the Kaneohe Bay Sand Bar, busting drunks on the long weekend. Nobody is available to respond. It’s the same story every long weekend. Sad !!!! He would depart at 0900.

 At 0953 on a pan I found what would prove to be Kainoa (RN04) just hauling out to the left end rock flats. He would remain all day.

 Team Billand checked in at 0718 with the report of a foraging Pohaku (RO28) at CIP.

 At 1006 the Billands found RIP (RR70) & RL42 just hauling out together at Makua Cliffs.

 For those of you who may not be aware Pohaku’s son, RF28 was brought to Oahu from Kauai for a fish hook remove. Go to the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Progam, Facebook site for all the scoops.

Cass and Bad Guy 

 Cass

 Kainoa

Sadie and Pup

Pohaku

 Thank you Team Billand :-)

 Rip and RL42