Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Jan 2, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies:

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn. Yes Mrs. Whisperer is back and I met up with her at the pier to return the gear.  

Marillyn and I viewed Rabbit Island from about 1 -2:30. We saw only two seals close together by the 3BS.  An unknown subadult female UF in the front initially. Behind her was an unknown juvenile U/M. Later the UM moved to the left (Lanikai) side of the other seal. The UM had a lighter belly and two tags. The UF had a slightly darker belly and two tags. Not much else to help with identification.


Team Billand started their day doing all their usual spots and no signs of any critters. They headed back to Leeward and got lucky.
There they found Kekoa Alii RK72 and RW02 PvKauai. PvKauai was on the lower rocks sleeping and Kekoa was left, high rocks. Kekoa Alii was getting pounded by the waves, he would finally move to the water hole closer to RW02. Seals were all settled, volunteer Melina was on site along with Melody.  Team Billand went back after 3 and both critters were in the same spot sleeping.

After leaving the boys Barbara did the Ka'ena West hike.  At the twenty mark, she spotted a small seal tan. Barbara was hoping for another Kaimana sighting but this little cutie was Puna RK88, tags were visible.  He was very comfy on the warm rocks in the bright sun light. He barely moved except when he got covered with waves a couple of times and then right back to snooze mode.  Puna was still there on her way out.

The bonus of the hike, the whales were out from the beginning to end.

Rabbit Island UF UM
 Kekoa Alii
 RW02 PvKauai 
 Kekoa and RW02
 Puna RK88
 Whales

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