9/16/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) RH32, RE74, RW02, RR70, RK72, RG32, RH36, U/J/M, U/M

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley, Marilyn and Melody.  As usual Lesley's update is part 2 of the dailies.  I missed Melody's email from last night so Melody's update from yesterday and today are included in it's own post!

Team Billand arrived at Kaale's kitchen at 6 am and spotted a seal just off the outfall. There were several fishermen at the jetty all with live bait. They did see Ka'ale steal a few of the live bait while they were standing there. Today they were there with the utmost patience and keeping their fingers crossed that he doesn't end up with a hook. They had a very close call but the quick response of the fishermen allowed him to reel the line before the butthead could swallow the bait. 

Team Billand left after an hour to pick up little Olivia and returned a couple hours later.
Thankfully Kaale had moved out of the outfall and to a nearby beach. There were six people there looking over  and when Team Billand  looked over they saw Kaale swimming off to the open ocean. They also spotted a diver who was aware of Kaale's presence and some swimmers who went to swim close by him. Kaale moved on heading back to the outfall. Team Billand decided not to return as it was difficult to watch this little butthead get himself into trouble.

Team Billand got a call from again today from a friend about a seal at Nimitz. They got there by 7:30 am and found Benny laying near a big log on shore. He was a sandy mess but his tags were visible and his known markers. They let a woman who was on site who the seal was and some Benny 101. The woman was appreciative and said she would share the information and make sure people stayed away from the seal. 

Next stop Team Billand arrived at a west side beach where they

found Kekoa Alii RK72 snoozing alone on the rocks. While they were trying to ID Kekoa a second seal came charging in. They were watching over Kekoa when they spotted a bobbing head coming into the area hauled up on lower rocks. It was RIP RR70 looking very green, and big, handsome bugga! They saw his tags and scar over eye. While watching he pooped twice and looked like there were some worms. (which is extremely normal for seals).

Team Billand including little Olivia did the Ka'ena west trek. Finally a nice day blue water but lots of mud puddles, which were thoroughly checked for tadpole shrimp. 
They found one seal at the 20, sleeping and well hidden. RW02 PvKauai was the critter being very green, fat and healthy with his tags visible.

While on their trek they met up with some folks that were staying at the Nimitz cabins who saw Benny. Team Billand pointed out RW02 to them and let them use the binoculars. In the end they were thrilled to learn about another monk seal. 
On the way out Barb and Olivia threw rocks in the puddles, just a beautiful little girl and her Tutu having some fun.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from the pier from about noon to three, and thankfully the weather was cooperative. Initially she spotted three seals on the island.
Seal #1 was just seaward of the 3BS labled as UJM, ID'd male belly, 2 tags, very green. Good possibility it is the same UJM as las weekend and still hoping it is RJ06 Aka.
Seal #2 & #3 were at Seal Rock Inlet (SRI) RG32 was ID'd by newly molted coat, 2 tags, male belly and RH36 Kawena, new coat, female belly, 2 tags and applied N6 bleach.

Then at 12:30 Marilyn noted an adult seal join RG32 & Kawena very briefly. Looking closer at the photos Marilyn spotted a natural bleach behind RFF so she is concluding this was RW22 Kolohe. 
About 15 minutes later an adult seal joined the UJM near the 3BS. Unable to ID this seal is being noted as UM#1 adult size, maybe one tag, male belly older coat with some green.
After an hour while panning the shoreline Marilyn spotted a sub adult to adult male UM#2 hauled out on LPB. Male belly, 2 tags, older coat. 

Kaale RH32

 Kekoa 

 Da Benny

 RIP

 RW02 PvKauai 

 RG32, Kawena & U/M (maybe Kolohe)

 RG32 & Kawena

 U/M#2 and U/JM

 UM#2