November 7, 2019 (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

What a fantastic, productive but VERY long day

Team T&D and I went out at first light on a mission. We were meeting the Wedge Tail Shearwater banding team. For hours we were on our knees, laying down on the grass or in the oddest position. Arms are full of battle wounds (small scratches) and the most and brightest smiles are still shinning.

Banding was a success.

As usual this super team got to see a handful of wildlife seals, flying fish, spinner dolphins, snow geese, an owl...but not yet our first whale.

The big swell of the last couple of days has done some good landscaping at the point. It took some of the corals out of the Main Pool and reopened the access to the outer pool.

On our way out we found RN58 Luana hauled out at Hidden Beach. We arrived at the same time as a group of hikers. It was cool to watch them being extremely respectful, they took there photos and moved on. I waited for them and did a 1on1 about "Luana" - some of them had already seen her on other occasions and asked about her pups. It was hard to break the news of "Puna's" loss, some had read about it but hadn't realized it was him.

Further down the road we saw the 2 Snow Geese about to enter one of the rain puddles.

We are all wondering if they'll spend Winter here.

Before meeting with Team T&D ,I checked our front beaches and found overnighted RR70 RIP and RW02 PVKauai (M.40%) here in front.

I check one last time before coming home RW02 "PVKauai" was just hauling out at his morning spot and RR70 "RIP" had hauled out down the beach on the opposite side of our beach front.  More tomorrow 

The A Team !