11/19/2017 Monk Seal Dailies: Rabbit Island Critters Kolohe & 3 Unknowns,

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Gayle, Vicki, Mrs. Whisperer and Lesley. Lesley's Ka'ena Point update is part 2 of the dailies.  Thank you all. Marilyn, Gayle and Vicki all checked out Rabbit Island today.

Based on the reports there were three critters on Rabbit Island today. Both Vicki and Gayle had trouble with their photos so I am just including Marilyn's photos from today.
Marilyn spent several hours viewing Rabbit Island from Makai Range pier. With the high wind and heat waves caused by the cool air, viewing conditions were far from ideal. Marilyn's initial find at 10:30 saw 2 seals just right of the 1BS (1st blue sign) and 1 seal just left of the 2BS. At 11:54, she spotted a fourth seal up in the grass above Seal Rock Inlet. 
The two seals near the 1BS both appeared to be adults, one with a newer coat and one with an older, brown coat. When the latter seal changed direction I could see that it had a "cue ball" natural bleach behind the RFF that to the identification of RW22 Kolohe. Marilyn later was able to see his male belly. Good to see him, since there hasn't been any recent sightings or reports of him.
Marilyn is labeling the adult seal with the newer coat as UNK#1. She was unable to see tags nor could she confirm it's gender.
The seal near the 2BS is labeled UNK#2. Marilyn judged the seal to be a subadult with a darker coat. No tags could be seen and could not guess at it's gender.
The seal she first spotted at 11:54 is labeled UNK#3. This appeard to be a juvenile with a brownish coat and a light-colored belly. She could not see tags nor determine gender.

Team Billand found da Benny at 6:20am at Secrets. He was all the way up by his Naupaka bush sleeping. The hotline was called. There were many visitors who came by and thankfully all were respectful. Tide was very high and Benny continued to snooze. At 9:30 volunteer Ralph arrived, Team Billand left at 10:00 am.

Lei Ola RH48 was Mid Rocks snoozing alone at Maili. Her molt continues on her hind flippers, face, starting on her chest. She was still there on their afternoon check. Hook is still visible, but she shows no signs of stress.
Next Maili find Ka'ale RH32 to the right of Lei Ola snoozing on the inland rocks. He's looking healthy and handsome ID'd by his tags. At 2:30 they watched Ka'ale leave go into the small tide pool roll about, wake himself up and then left.
They saw RN14 arriving cautiously, slowing looking, anyone around... then up he went, landed and went to sleep. On the afternoon check he was still on the lower rocks, snoozing in peace.
Team Billand spotted RIP RR70 at Maili foraging off shore doing 5 minute dives. They waited for a few hours hoping he would haul out, but he was too busy pigging out. He was ID by his cookie scar on back. (good he was eating). Afternoon check he was gone and the waves were much larger.

Last but not least they found Aukai RL12 at Electric beach. When they arrived a volunteer was already on site and her tags were showing. To the best of their knowledge this is her first "known" visit to electric beach. Her mom R020 M&M was known to frequent the area. Now Team Billand noted their shock by her size, she is huge, like good chance she is pregnant with her first pup huge. Who knows when or where? 

Unknown#1 and Kolohe RW22

 Unknown #2

 Unknown # 3

 Benny

 Lei Ola

Ka'ale RH32 

RN14

 RIP

 Aukai RL12 looking big and beautiful