Saturday, June 30, 2018

6/30/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn (and Lesley), and some news from our pal Val.  I know both Marilyn and Lesley did the Ka'ena trek this morning, and I also know Lesley probably won't get to her report done this evening. 

First we'll start with News from Kauai!  KC & her pup PK3 are doing great! But the big news comes that Pohaku arrived on Kauai on Wednesday and pupped sometime today. She and PK4 are doing great. Thank you Val for the good news and sharing some photos of our Oahu Ladies.


Team Billand found Ka'ale at the all you can eat buffet this morning. The scary part today, was a close encounter with a rather large hook. In the end Ka'ale did not get hooked but it was very close.  While Team Billand was there other than the close call, he was pigging out as usual for at least four hours.

Next stop for Team Billand on a West Side beach they found Lei Ola RH48. She was already up on the reef resting. She was still there on their last check, getting hit by the rising waves. She didn't care, she just stayed laying there like jello, wiggling about with each wave. 

Marilyn and Lesley did the Ka'ena Point Trek. They first arrived at Birth Beach the weaners Napua RK40 and RK88 Puna were swimming together near the KP side of the SRA. Shortly thereafter Marilyn & Lesley checked on RN58 Luana and Ka'ena RO40 who were together on the beach near the Lyman Estate beach.

They arrived at the Ka'ena Point NARS a couple of hours later and after checking all the usual spots they saw a seal on the rocks on the outside of the main pool. The seal was RN30, (ID'd by N30 tag and male belly). He was in a difficult place for any good photos.

As they were walking towards the NARS gate to leave, Marilyn saw a seal hauling out on the water front rocks. He was easily ID'd as RG40 Holokai by his camera mounting plate and transmitter on his dorsal surface.

Last check at the playpen, looking at Luana and Ka'ena they spotted a seal swimming offshore. He skipped hauling out with RN58 & RO40 and headed west. They hurried over to the weaners were snoozing about 10 feet apart. The incoming seal RW02 PvKauai first swam to Napua RK40, she initially ignored him, but then entered the water and he followed. Once Napua gave him the slip he headed further west and hauled out next to Puna and began to bug him. They left shortly after.

KC RK28 and PK3
 Welcome to the world PK4
 PK4 and Pohaku RO28
 Ka'ale RH32 close encounter
Lei Ola
 jelly belly (just like me)
Luana and Ka'ena
RN30
 Holokai RG40 
RW02, & Napua RK40
 RW02 & Puna PK88 

Friday, June 29, 2018

6/29/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley, and Melody.  Lesley's back on line (yipee) and her complete Ka'ena Update is part two of the dailies.

Team Billand was out at the all you can eat fish buffet this morning to check in on Ka'ale RH32. Barbara noted a memory of watching his Mom R912 Nihoa and her way of eating fish, seems like her son is fierce just like her.

One of the fishermen caught a huge stick fish, about 3 feet long, he decided to release it and gently put it back in the water. It took a moment or two and the it finally went off, BUT here comes Ka'ale RH32, he immediately came in and grabbed the stick fish. He tossed it, then went grabbed again by the mid secion, tossed it about, and after 15 minutes he managed to eat the entire thing.  The fishermen were all so impressed they stopped what they were doing and took pictures.

After the stick fish, they thought he would go rest... but no.... he continued his hunting, catching akule, they observed at least five catches. Team Billand stayed for about 3 hours and then headed out to check the other beaches.


Their next stop on a west side beach they saw a seal way out off shore, and watched as it was coming in with eyes wide open. It was Lei Ola coming in and Team Billand heard a snort or two coming from behind her. The snorting critter behind her was RN14 Kalani.  The waves sucked him out and he tried going to other inlets but stayed in the shallows and then he left.
Lei Ola galumphed on the rocks and went to sleep. On their recheck in the afternoon Lei Ola remained in the shallows, hidden so well, they had a hard time seeing her.


Barbara decided to make the Ka'ena West trek and at the 40 minute mark she found RIP RR70. He was on the rocks, resting alone and the waves were rising. With the waves hitting him he finally gave up and left the area. He is looking healthy, robust, no new marks.

Melody sent word today she spent the morning at Kaimana Beach to have a small birthday breakfast with her friend Kim. They were celebrating none other than Kaimana's first birthday. 


They decided to go visit the cousins at the playpen. Upon arrival they were snoozing on the beach, but then some of the waves got to Puna RK88.  He started moving up the beach towards a pile of sticks, rocks and debris. ( weaners most favorite things, aside from sea cucumbers). He began to entertain himself by chewing. flipping and nudging a large stick. This provided lots of entertainment for Melody and Kim and Melody captured some of it for the rest of us to enjoy.
Napua mostly was in snooze mode at the other end of the beach. She moved up due to the tide moving in, but not much play time for her except a couple of roll overs and twitches.

This kid just cracks me up. Thank you Team Billand for the updates 
 he looks pretty proud of himself 
 Lei Ola peek-a-boo
 she really is a bathing beauty
Kalani RN14
 This posture so reminds me of Benny
RIP RR70
Cousins at the playpen
 Mislabeled RK88