Monday, December 25, 2017

12/24/2017 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Mrs. Whisperer, and Gayle.

Team Billand once again had an extremely busy day!  And all of this before a holiday family gathering.  So it begins with their drive to Nanakai when they noticed people were flagging them to come quick. There Ka'ale RH32, RN14, RK36 and Kekoa RK72 were on shore. Fighting, playing and moving about. Rk36 hauled all the way up to the rocks, but the other three took off still fighting up and down the coast line. They lost sight of the 3 amigos. They called the hotline.

Well interestingly enough when Team Billand arrived at Maili there was one seal on the lower rocks. One of the 3 amigos Kekoa Alii RK72.  Another seal to the right on high rock ID'd as RW02 PVKauai.  The other 2 amigos well they were still fighting off shore until they hauled out on lower rocks when Team Billand positively ID'd RN14 and Ka'ale RH32.

When Team Billand went to Nanakuli they saw a seal leaving the site with people hanging out by the signs that were posted. They tried to follow the seal but could only see the seal swimming away. There was not enough to get any ID. 

As they were passing Makaha saw a large seal on shore and went to check it out. They saw folks down by the seal who was resting on its back. They were able to ID of RL42 who is very fat. RL42 kept looking around then moved a bit closer to the water. The hotline
was called, not sure if anyone responded.

Last stop they found RH48 Lei Ola snoozing alone on the rocks. Team Billand couldn't stay as they were on their way to their family celebration.  But wait there are whales, breaching.  And if that wasn't enough from Kahe they spotted a very large female seal all the way down at Tracks. They were running late so they couldn't go down to investigate. There is a good chance it might have been RL12 Aukai but will be reported as a U/F.  

Merry Christmas Team Billand hope you had fun at your family celebration!


Mrs. Whisper was at Makai Pier from about noon til one this afternoon. She spotted four seals on Rabbit Island.  Seal #1 near 1BS (first blue sign) an adult male - RN46 Kea  ID'd by his large natural bleach mark on RFF (bless those natural bleaches) and male belly.  Seal #2 was galumphing up to Kea near the 1BS. Seal is reported as a UU looked to be a subadult with a newer coat and at least one tag. Seal #3 was a juvenile male near the 2BS and based on size and male belly Marilyn believes this critter to be RJ06 Aka. Seal #4 was on the rocks near Seal Rock Inlet. This seal had an older coast on the dorsal surface but when it finally rolled on its side it appeared to be about half molted on the ventral side. Since Buster RV08 is molting and was seen at Sandy Beach for the last two days, chances are it's him.  Yes Marilyn 3 out of 4 is pretty darn good!  

On her way to Christmas Eve dinner at Turtle Bay Mrs.Whisperer, Diane & Gabby spotted RI37 IPO on Aukai Beach in Hauula. Seems to be a theme this xmas eve, Seal Posse on their way to celebrating stopping to find a seal. Volunteer Cindi on site informed them that R5AY aka Honey Girl had been their earlier but left before they arrived.  

Last but not least Gayle spotted a critter at Lanai Lookout. Chances are it is Kolohe RW22, however Gayle could not get a positive ID. 

Whew!  What a busy day!  I hope Santa treats you all well, as you deserve it!

Ka'ale, RN14 & Kekoa
 Ka'ale RN14, RK36 & Kekoa
 RK36
Kekoa 
 3 amigos 
RW02
UU swimming by
RL42
Lei Ola
UU at Tracks
UU and Kea
 Aka 
 Buster
RI37
 UU possibly Kolohe

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