July 26, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Tammy of Team T&D.  
It was all about Momma Pohaku RO28 and Pup PO5 Nanea.

Team Billand arrived before 6 am, and upon arriving the spotted foot prints within the zone. (for shame).   They also see two trails near her, one seal going up and the other trail leaving.  Pohaku seemed agitated, she is with the pup and moved to the waters edge,  Nanea following close behind.

Pohaku calls out to pup and gets pups out of the water. Team Billand looks around and then they spot Benny coming in, hmmm wonder she got the pup out of the water.
It was about 6:30 when Benny came in so smooth, not a sound except his breathing, he slows down intently looking at the pup who is in the shallows unaware of da Benny.

Pohaku sees Benny and lets out a huge bellow, pup goes up to her mouth.... ( what's happening mama?)
Benny gets closer within 15 feet, Nanea comes to Benny, but turns back as Mom is bellowing louder. Benny turns, moves out but then comes back.
Benny goes to the rocks, lands briefly, Pohaku comes with Nanea and also hauls up on the rocks. She bellows out to Benny who bellows back to her. Nanea is between the both of them. Pohaku lunges out to Benny who takes off for a moment and comes back. Benny seems interested in Nanea, who is playing with Mom.
This goes on for almost an hour, everyone on site is all quiet watching intently... what's going to happen next?
At 7:20 Benny slithers away for good. They couldn't tell which direction he was heading, but all is good. Pohaku goes up on shore and feeds Nanea.
At 8:45 da Benny returns, goes all the way up to Pohaku and pup. Pohaku vocalizes but lays there, not as agitated as earlier.
Benny gets five feet of Mom and carefully goes behind and passes, goes through the channel and gone again.

Team Billand quickly headed over to a couple near by spots, and did find Benny after a couple of checks. There was a volunteer on site, who quickly got the signs out. Signs were placed, all good and Team Billand headed back to Mom and Pup and updated volunteer on Benny.

You would think Benny had enough, but no, he returns again around 10:40. Pohaku and Nanea are sleeping on shore. Benny hauls in and Pohaku sees him, but doesn't react. Benny seems more interested in the pup and what it is doing. 
Then Benny leaves again, people were told to get out of the water, Life guards were helpful in moving most of the crowds. 

Tammy was onsite with Team Billand for a couple of hours with all this happening. Tammy noted is was exciting to watch the dynamics of Benny with Mom and Pup, but it was amazing to experience this with Team Billand.  ( it's always better with monk seal ohana).

One last note, Team Billand got some great belly shots of Nanea. It looks like we finally have a female but will have to wait for NOAA to give the official say so.