11/27/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

I had to go into town yesterday and wasn't able to do a report for you - although all the seals were IDed and called in.

Big swell and off I was to go see those big waves crashing out at the point.

Starting from the front of the house I couldn't walk the beach cause the big sets were washing the beach up to the Naupaka line and more. The Big Camp site was completely washed. The forces of nature gave us a hand cleaning that one up, hopefully most of the trash had been picked up during our constant beach cleaning there, but layer of ashes remained. The boulders were also wash around and some back into the ocean.

That was the same thing I saw all the way to the point.

Small Pkg Lot cove was covered in water, the Big Pkg Lot Beach had waves wash past the Naupaka on to the back trail, the sand road access at 5 Mnts and 10 Mnts Beach were washed. Sand disappeared from most beaches. Dragon Rock disappeared under water at every big set. Hidden Beach had a complete face lift and Main & Back Beaches out at Ka'ena had a complete make over.

As expected finding seals on days like this is always a surprise. RO40 "Ka'ena" was halfway up Back Beach and was being washed by waves. It was great to see him after being MIA this past week. He is completely molted and has lost some weight, Most of the corals were gone from that beach and sand was again visible. It must have been more than 4 yrs since we've seen sand all the way to the waterline.

I arrived on time to see RW02 "PVKauai" do the crossing from Back Beach to Main Beach all the way down to the Main Pool. Before he made it there a big set picked him up and tossed him around. He hauled out on the right side of the beach and galumphed up to meet R3CU (M).

I was up on the big rock (aka Princess Porch) and was getting sprayed.

not many people out but did some good outreach.

The show was on the waves.

I was getting ready to leave the house when I saw a seal down the beach @ CE Pt. I stopped by and found 2 seals: R303 "BG" on her 2nd day there and R330 "Squinty" escorting her.

This morning Kimo & I walked the beach with baby Ka'ala. Looking towards CE Pt I saw a seal making it's way past the bunker and stop. It was washed by several waves. I went to check and found R330 "Squinty". There was NO sign of R303 "BG".

Wonder how the 2 weaners are doing with this big swell.  More tomorrow 

 itsy bitsy spider NOT! 

 Ka'ean Point wave action