June 23, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley, Marilyn and me.  Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies.

I joined Marilyn at the pier today at 2 pm., we managed to stay for about an hour and departed before the rains came. Lighting was horrendous making it a challenge to get a decent photo.  When we arrived we spotted Sadie RB12 and PO4 who were to the right of the 3BS and on the shore line. PO4 would occasion pop it's head over Mom's belly, but for the most part was well hidden behind Mom.

On one of my scans across the island I thought I spotted a critter at the far right of the island. I stared for a while but after seeing so many rocks that looked like seals, I just let it pass. A few minutes later Marilyn took a look and spotted the same "curious" figure, and asked me what I thought.  We both decided it was a seal! The real question was which way was it facing?  I think it's hind quarters were more visible and it's head in towards the rocks.  Then again looking at the photos, who knows.

Team Billand found Ka'ale RH32 at the outfall at 7 am, he was foraging and stealing fish.  He is looking quite large and green pretty hard to miss. At times he was going out of the outfall as if he were chasing another seal, making a wake. And then he would return to take more fish.
Sure enough another seal comes in. It's Kekoa Alii RK72. They could see the lumps on his side, but his behavior was so different from Ka'ale, he's not as noisy, stays under the water longer and is very sleek in his swimming.  The two of them have a fight in the outfall, quite a scene and the fishermen were just in awe of their speed.  By 8 am Kekoa left the site.

Team Billand did a lot of searching, sitting at different beaches, but the critters just didn't show up

today.  On one of their routes they drove by the canal that Nihoa R912 use to hang out in. They saw volunteer Melina on the bridge so they stopped to check it out. When they got to the fence there were two seals. One seal is RH92 the little female from Kauai who has been in a few canals on Kauai. Next to her on the right is Kolohe RW22. (what is he thinking?)  A boy cruises by on a kayak, Kolohe looks at him but just chills.  People were gathering to check out the seals. This is a really bad location for them to be hanging out in, it's a very dirty canal. Hopefully they will move on.

UU on the rocks 

 Sadie RB12 and the top of PO4' noggin

Ka'ale RH32 stealing fish

 Ka'ale being his loud mouth self 

Kekoa Alii RK72

 Kekoa and Ka'ale

 RH92 & Kolohe RW22

 Kolohe