July 30, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand out at the pupping site.

So Barb's email mentioned they love going observe the seals, their behaviors, personalities, skills etc. That watching the pup and relaying that information is priceless.  
What I will say to Team Billand and those who are out there day after day watching these animals, learning their characteristics, behaviors is invaluable information for NOAA.  
It was someone like DB that really put the value on how important it is to understand their behaviors, knowing when they were in trouble, when they were fighting or playing.  Many seals lives were saved as a result of this.  This comes from watching them, not something you learn in a textbook, it's from the hours of patience and observations.  Thank you Team Billand!  AND thank you to all the posse, that have contributed by sharing, you are all appreciated.

Team Billand arrived at the pupping site at 5:30, Mom and pup were on shore, snoozing. Mom woke up first and took off for the water, Nanea followed with lots of energy heading for the water.
Today Mom and pup did some good dives, Nanea's hind flippers were in the air!
Then they swam all the way right for the first time, Team Billand was a little worried as this sections can get quite busy. Thankfully they did not stay long, Mom took her along the water line to the rocks which Barb has nicknamed "Nanea's Cove". Once again she found the crevasse goes into it to explore, but Mom got her out of there pretty quickly.

At one point the pup was exploring, the waves came over the rocks, she got covered and Mom couldn't see her. Pohaku (mom) went nuts, barking looking to the right and to the left. Nanea popped up right in front of her and they greeted each other and continued to swim.
After swimming for an hour and a half, it was time for them to haul out for breakfast.

A meal and a short nap, then off in the water again. This time they ventured out to the area outlet to the open ocean. Team Billand held their breath watching the pup diving, popping out of the water, until the rip tide got her and Pohaku got her away from that spot. 
Back to the rocks for another nap at birth beach. Team Billand headed out about noon for a break.

When they returned Pohaku and Nanea had just hauled in from a swim through the channel and were back at birth beach to rest. 
Team Billand noted little Miss Nanea has a cute personality, she is sweet on Mom, can be loving, gained skills like diving, staying under water for long periods. She is curious of everything and is also good about listening to Mom's calls.... well most of the time.
Team Billand called it a day at 4:30.