Friday, September 30, 2016

9/30/2016 DB's Dailies: Aukai,RG32,J/F & Kawena@Rabbit Island, Kekoa&RK36@Maili Point, Ka'ale@20min, Kerby,Ka'ena,RW02&Luana@Ka'ena Point, Kerby&RW02@30Min

When I arrived at Makai Pier at 0804 I immediately saw 3 animals on Rabbit Island. Tracy & I have been talking everyday since they need to vaccinate Kainoa & Cass. Having 3 visible was enough to trigger a NOAA response regardless of not having a confirmed ID yet.

 My initial finds were a large female up in the Morning Glory, and a small female on the beach, both near 1BS.

 At Seal Rock Inlet at the right end of the beach was a partially visible animal up in the tall grass. This has been the J/M molter’s location each day for some time now.

 Mark, Mike & Angela (NOAA) responded. Unfortunately, the small female noted above, entered the water before their arrival.

 Ever since the little molter showed up at RI, I had suspected that it was RG32, but with no markers and his L5 bleach no longer visible on his green coat, it was impossible to confirm the ID. I’m happy to say that molter is in fact RG32. ID by tag. His D#5 molt is 25%.

 The large female was ID’d as Aukai (RL12), back home for a visit. ID was by tag & N12 bleach. 

While wait to see if the small female showed up again, Mike & Angela walked toward the east end of the island. As I followed them with the scope as they reached Rocky Right Beach I noted a suspicious looking shiny rock amongst many other like sized rocks, and when the stopped and brought their binos up I figured we had something. At that moment the rock’s head moved just a tad. I was completely, totally stoked when Mike called on the radio and confirmed the RH36 tag. Kawena !!!!!!!!!!!! My notes may not be accurate but the last sighting I have logged was 9-12-16 at AD. Angela got a bleach on Kawena. An N36 on each shoulder and a posterior girdle. (the 3 is backward on the left shoulder). Hopefully, it will take, but she did roll about 5 minutes after the bleach, so we’ll just have to wait and see. She remained on her back for the rest of my observation period. FINALLY some happy news !!!  doing a happy dance!!

 At 0800 Team Billand called with the report of Kekoa (RK72) & RK36 at Maili Point.

 At 1053 they reported Ka’ale (RH32) at the 20Min mark on the west side KP trail.

 Barbara did another End of the World trek and reported Kerby (RW08), Ka’ena (RO40), RW02 & Luana (RN58) at Ka’ena Point. All the boys were having words, and all 3 would depart at 1255.

 On her way back Barbara found Kerby (RW08) & RW02 at 30Min.

Aukai and J/F
 Aukai
 Kawena
 this is more like where's waldo?  I had to enlarge the photo and still had trouble finding her. 
 Kawena NE6  lol  N36
 RG32
 Ka'ale
 bend and stretch.... reach for the stars 
 Kekoa
 RK36
Kerby, Ka'ena  and RW02
 Did you say something?
 WHAT did you say?
 Are you talking to me?
 Luana
 RW02
 Kerby

HMMA Update from September 29th

At 0500 Steve checked in with a report of Rocky (RH58) at Kaimana Beach. She returned back into the water at 0800. At 0530 a report came in about a seal at Puka Pants Beach. Barbara ID'ed Benny (RE74). Benny departed at 0546. At 0827 a report came in about a seal at McKenzie Beach. Dr. Tom ID'ed Lei Ola (RH48) by tag. She departed at 0837 and was spotted again swimming at 1006. At 1142 Don checked in with a report of Honey Girl (R5AY) across from the Hauula Fire Station.

 Diane P. from Molokai checked in via email with a report of 3 seals from her La'au Pt. trek. She ID'ed RN06 at 35-40% molted. Diane also found RW00 and RH62 at the cove just passed Naked Seal Beach. Mahalo Diane!

 RN06
 RH62
 Rw00

Thursday, September 29, 2016

9/29/2016 DB's Dailies: J/M @ Rabbit Island, Benny@Puka Pants, Nanakuli, Kekoa@Maili Pt., RW02@20Min, RIP@30Min, West side KP Trail, Luana@10Min Bch, Ka'ena@Ka'ena Point,

At 0847 I found my little J/M Unknown just hauling out of Seal Rock Inlet on Rabbit Island. His D#4 molt is 20%. He was once again the only RI resident.

 On a routine pan at 0848 I happened to spy a Glass Ball floating a couple of hundred feet off shore of RI. Many years of familiarity with the currents told me that there was a good chance it was headed my way so I kept an eye on it. 3 hrs & 5 mins later it made it to just off shore just west of Makai Pier. I gottum’ Yahoo !!!

 At 0529 Team Billand called with the report of Benny (RE74) at Puka Pants Beach, Nanakuli. He would depart at 0546.

 At 0750 the Billands found Kekoa (RK72) at Maili Point.

 A Tammy T., text advised that she and hubby Dave were back from vacation (welcome home) and trekking to the End of the World. At 1020 they reported Luana (RN58) at 10 Min Beach, and at Ka’ena Point, Ka’ena (RO40).

 Barbara reported RW02 at 20min at 1419. At 1429 she found RIP (RR70) at the 30min mark.

 I was happily surprised when ValMail arrived this afternoon, as always, but the shot just made my day. Diane Pike & Val Bloy are two of my favorite people on the planet. They began as a Molokai duo, opening the eyes of everyone to the Molokai Monk Seal cast, but Val & hubby Ron relocated to Kauai. The world is a better place when these two are together!!

 okay so this is the glass ball in the water.... where's the picture of the catch... details we want to see details :-)
 Benny
 Kekoa
 Rip
 RW02
Ka'ena
 Luana