10/23/2020 Friday Monk Seal Dailies

 

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

Team T&D met up with Lesley today at the point. Their primary focus was to help with the wedge-tail shearwater count. But of course they checked for their beloved seals. Team T&D saw Lina RL98 and Squinty R330 when they were on their way out. They had moved closer together and higher ground when they were leaving for the day.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 3 to 4:45 today, over cast

conditions made viewing and photographing a real challenge. There were five seals on island for the first hour and then about 4:15 she noticed a sixth seal hauled out. 

At left point beach were: 

Seal 1 - unknown unknown, hauled out and far back on LPB. The seal was covered with sand so she was unable to see belly, tags or even get a good gauge on size.  Seal 2 - unknown adult, male belly and new coat with at least one tag.  Seal 3 - unknown female, subadult to adult size, two tags. Marilyn only saw the rear side so she was unable to gauge its side. It looked to have a newer coat.

Alone between the 1BS and 2BS was Seal 4 - unknown weaner or juvenile. Marilyn had a good view of the right side, but never saw its belly or see if it had tags. The seal appears to be a little too big to be a weaner.

Between 3BS and SRI were:

Seal 5 - unknown juvenile, female belly, newer coat with two tags, no natural bleach marks.  Seal 6 - unknown juvenile, light belly, new coat unsure about tags or gender. Marilyn did her best to get as much information on size and sex but the seals just weren't cooperating today.

Team Billand found Kawika R407 at 7:30 despite the all the rain, brown water and debris. The area was

really bad with brown water and debris from an area that opened up. While there a guy walked by the seal yelling to it to GO. Poor Kawika did leave in the nasty water, he seemed so lost holding his head high above the water. He landed on the opposite side of the river flowing, Team Billand tried to get to him but he left and headed back to his usual spot.

When they did their recheck Kawika was being bothered by two ladies, Team Billand asked them to stay back and they left. Along with the smelly brown water and people being fools, there were two vehicles stuck in the sand.

Even with all the rain and flooding Team Billand saw eight boats in the water at the bay with close to 40 fishermen at the jetty. At 9:20 they spotted Nalu R3CX foraging, they were only to get a quick pic of him. Lei Ola RH48 was far out but they were able to see her lovely green face. Of course Kaale RH32 was there filling his belly.  Lastly they saw the frigate swooping down on the beach where there fish. Amazing to watch.

At 4:30 they went to check on another area where they found well a naked dude... oh the things they see out there!  But more importantly they saw a seal that turned out to be Leina RL70 mid high rocks, resting on her back. They were able to ID her by her white nails. The lower rocks were so full of debris and mud, but Leina was in her spot and resting comfortably.

squinty and RL98

RL98 Lina

Rabbit Island Seal 1, 2 & 3

Seal 2 and 3

Seal 4

Seal 5 and 6

Kawika R407

Muddy waters

Frigate fishing

Lei Ola RH48

Nalu R3CX

Kaale RH32

RL70 Leina

oh the things that you see... that you wish you hadn't