MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: August 10, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, August 10, 2019

August 10, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, Lesley and in yesterday's news from posse pal Vicki. Lesley's complete update is part two of the dailies.

In yesterday's news posse pal Vicki went up to the north shore. Her first stop she found R5AY or as Vicki referred to her as "Lean Green Baby Machine".
Then her next stop was further North where she found Makoa RL36 being adorable hanging onto a stick.

Team Billand headed over to Pohaku and Nanea at 5:30 am on day 22. They found the two in the dark, snoozing at birth beach on shore. They must have had a long night, because the two of them slept in until 8 am ( just like auntie donna). When they awoke, there was no feeding they just went to "Nanea's cove". There was a large wave that hid Nanea from Mom who went nuts, barking and bobbing looking for her.

After a couple of minutes Nanea popped up and Pohaku went to her, touched her with her head, that loving contact. From the cove they went further to "twin rocks" where the pup got sucked out to sea for a bit. Once again Pohaku went nuts, vocalizing and searching. Finally reunited, Mom took the pup to a different area where the waters were calmer.
Seems like Nanea is getting an attitude when listening to Mom and held the pup down a couple of times. (Day 22 seems to be like her terrible twos)
The two headed off in the channel and headed to another beach.

Team Billand headed across on foot and did see both seal galumphing up on the reef. Mom was very vocal and Nanea listened this time. Mom move further inland and presented herself to feed and the pup immediately took advantage. They had a nice long feeding session, then a snooze.
Team Billand left them there about 11:30 and took a break.

They returned back at 2 pm, Pohaku and pup were still on the reef, Nanea was barking loudly. She is getting a loud and strong bark. Guess she was letting Mom know it was time to eat again. The waves came over the rocks, flooding the area, but Nanea latched on and Pohaku positioned herself and lunch was served.

Melody arrived and they all watched Pohaku and Nanea on the rocks. Nanea got her fill, laid on her back the rest of the time. The waves were still rolling in and Pohaku once again re-positioned so the pup was behind her and wouldn't get washed off the rocks. Pretty amazing Mom!

Team Billand called it a day just after 3 to take junior sealette Olivia home and get some rest.

I met up with Marilyn at Makai Pier at 3 pm, after she did the Ka'ena Point Trek. We were at the pier for about an hour an a half. Initially there was only one critter sited, but eventually we ended up with five.

RG32 and Unknown Juvenile Female #1 (UJF#1) were first seen about 3:20 on the rocks left (Lanikai side) of LFB. They had probably been there the entire time but blended in to the rocks, until the UJF showed her very white belly.

RG32 was ID'd by his subadult - adult size, older coat, male belly with a dark patch on upper ventral area and two tags.
UJF#1 was partly hidden behind RG32 and is either RK37, or RK38 (last years RI pups). UJF#1 had a newly molted light colored female belly, 2 tags. We never got a full view of her.

About 3:28 pm I spotted a small seal haul out on the waterfront rocks of the middle cliff area. Based on size, shape, and the light colored male belly, we both believe this is RL47 ( Sadies' pup PO4) who was born on Rabbit Island in May. He just got his tags L47/46 earlier this week.

Near Seal Rock Inlet was an UJF #2 with a newly molted light colored female belly with two tags. Although this HMS seemed larger thena a yearling, it maybe RK37 or RK38. UJF#2 entered the water about 4:15 and was not seen again.

At 3:30 we notices a newly arrived critter on the right (Makapuu) side of Rocky Right Beach. We thought it could be RH36 Kawena but is being reported as UJF#3. This critter has a new coat, gray female belly and two tags.

R5AY aka Honey Girl aka Lean Green Baby Machine -