May 9, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Lesley.  Lesley's very special Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies, and definitely worth the read.  

Team Billand got to the outfall before 7 am and found RIP RR70 just by the jetty moving east. They then headed to a close by haul out area and RIP came slithering in, very slow. They noticed that lately he seems very cautious when hauling out in the area. He kept looking around for another critter or something, but all quiet except for him 
RIP came up to the inlet, took one last look around and then took off. They did not see RIP for the rest of the day. 

Heading over to a westside beach they initially didn't see any critters. So they sat down and waited, and saw that a volunteer was also at the site. The volunteer alerted them there was a seal, Barbara didn't see a seal at all. Then they got over to the rocks and there was a small green seal with tags showing. It's Puna RK88.
They hung out to see when and where RK88 would go as he was a good distance from the water. Finally he moved and went to a small patch of sand and did some wiggling around finding a small amount of water. Seems this was the spot for him, and this is where he stayed. 
He is looking very tiny, very green and perhaps ready for his first molt. He was restless, flipping over and over until he found a comfortable spot. He has a small scar on the left side of his neck.

Then just before noon after watching over the critters RK88 first visit to the area, Team Billand noticed some movement in the inlet, and there was Lei Ola RH48.  She came in rested her head on a rock, waited and moved when the small waves touched her. She lifted up her hind flippers high above to keep dry. The questions is will RK88 and and Lei Ola interact, but they don't think they saw each other. 
Lei Ola has a subtle little scar in between her eyes, little scar at corner of mouth. Her tags were showing for an easy ID. Both seals remained apart sleeping when they left.
Later at 2:15 they returned and there was a third seal. Oh boy it's da Benny bugging Lei Ola, she whooped at him, gave him a couple of slaps with her hind flippers. He was thrilled and started to bump her with his snout, and she responded with a slap. They barked at each other and Benny kept close tabs on her at all times.

The ways were starting to really come in smacking at Benny. Little RK88 had moved up on the rocks and was well hidden.

Last sighting of the day for Team Billand was at the cliffs. They spotted a big seal on the rocks, with the rising tide wrapping around the area. They spotted the transmitter and applied bleach, easy peasy it's Ka'ena RO40.

RIP RR70

 Puna RK88 

 What a little cutie

Lei Ola RH48

 Da Benny

 and the fun begins  

 Lei Ola giving Da Benny the what for

Ka'ena RO40