MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 02/04/2020 Tuesday Monk Seal Dailies

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

02/04/2020 Tuesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Team Billand, Team T&D on Molokai, and Melody.
Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies.

Team T&D are on Molokai for some R&R and met up with our seal pal Molokai Diane. Hmmm wonder if they were going to look for seals? Of course they were!
Their first find was R7AW. Their next find was RN06 who has made an appearance on Oahu sometime in 2019.
Next up was RL06 a female who appears to be pregnant (her RL tag not to be confused with the 2019 RL kids).
Hidden in the rocks was RL62 one of the 2019 kids.She showed her belly and her tags. After finding RL62 the human group decided to go for a swim and cool off. Of course that didn't last long as they spotted a freshly hauled out seal down the beach. It was RN06 who apparently left the original spot and hauled out here.
Their last seal was RL64 another 2019 kid. The trio did see her earlier on their walk but was unable to get an ID.

Tammy also noted beyond a wonderful hike with seal pal Diane, they talked story of our beloved DB, who so many of us will be forever grateful for bringing us together in friendship.

MEANWHILE on Oahu Team Billand was out and about early as usual. At 7:30 they were at the outfall looking when Robert spotted a seal on shore at a stretch of beach near the outfall. Barbara took the walk and there sound a sleep was da Benny! This made her very happy to see her old boy. Looks like he may have just hauled out.

As they called the hotline they spotted another seal hauling up to the right of Benny. They knew this huge female was Aukai RL12.

Later in the morning I had taken a ride to west side in need of some open air, visit with some old friends and maybe see a seal or two. I'll share my personal best sighting in one day in a minute. I have to say I was a little taken a back from seeing a Marine Animal Rescue Truck pass by with it's lights flashing. Initially I was concerned but later found out it was just a volunteer arriving on site to check on Benny and Aukai. Seriously? lights flashing? for what possible reason would someone need to do that other than to draw attention to a situation. Boy have times changed out there.

Okay back to the amazing day I had today. Not only did I get to spend time with my friend Diane, and visit with Robert and Barbara, but I got to see 10 seals with in a couple of hours. AND I got to7 of them in one area. I don't get out to the beaches much anymore, but WOW what a day. I also have a whole new respect for Team Billand as well as all the others that spend hours in the hot sun, covering these beaches.

Barbara's report covers the cast of characters we had the pleasure of observing today.

Diane and I met up with Team Billand at a west side beach and were treated to the following list of seals.
RG28 Lefty was the first to be seen, coming into the area and he was very vocal. He entered the cave just vocalizing and when he came out, there was another seal arriving.
This was RW02 PvKauai who came in and joined RG28 Lefty. They were in the shallows and played for a very long time. It was very cool watching them going back and forth flipper slapping each other.

Two seals were to the right at the water front rocks. They were ID'd as Kekoa Alii RK72 hanging out with Holokai RG40. They both remained there all day.

Next two seals were R3CX Nalu and Kala RH76 to the right seal inlet. They remained there all day.
(full disclosure we initially thought Kala was Kawena, but either way it was a large beautiful female, Barbara was later able to check her photos and confirm RH76).
Then a third seal arrived Kalani RN14 came though the seal inlet.

He came up and Nalu R3CX let him know to back away from him and Kala. RN14 Kalani moved over to the right and stayed on his own.

Getting ready to leave the area we decided to stop and check on Aukai and Benny. Well much to our surprise Barbara pointed out there was a third seal hidden behind the enormous Aukai. It took a bit especially because of the angle but Barbara ID'd RH36 Kawena, who looked really little next to Aukai.

Team Billand had one more seal to their list today. On their last check they spotted another seal hauling up on lower rocks. It was Kaale RH32, he hauled up next to RG28 Lefty who was in the water hole. There was no action and they both went to sleep.

Melody went up to Turtle Bay today with a friend Diana to check out the Albatross. On their way to the nesting area they checked for seals and got skunked. Well at least on their way up.
The Albatross were a sight to be seen, especially 7 to 10 of them flying at once. They were informed that Hope's chick hatched yesterday.
When Melody and Diana were heading back they spotted a small seal. It was Honey Girl's 2018 pup K80. Melody called the hotline to report.

Molokai - R7AW