MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 01/03/2021 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, January 3, 2021

01/03/2021 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Team Billand and Melody.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, she spotted five seals on island today.

About 50 or so feet from the 1BS were three seals. UJF, unknown juvenile to subadult size, light female belly and two tags. RK37, juvenile to subadult size, yellowish female belly, 2 tags and NB on lower left side. She moved around a fair amount and looked to be playing with a small branch. She moved when the UJF was near her and scared her into scurrying off. UAM1, unidentified, subadult to adult size, gray male belly and at least one tag.

Near the 2BS was UAM2, unidentified adult size, gray male belly in almost the same location as an

UAM from yesterday. Again Marilyn got a fairly good view of the rear flippers and did not see any tags.

Just before 1 pm Marilyn noticed there was a critter in an inlet at LPB. She thinks it is an UJM, unidentified juvenile size with a darker yellow male belly. He moved up and down the inlet several times. Then about 2:30 he had moved clear across LPB and was moving up the vegetation closer to the 1BS. He first tried to go up a very steep slope, then came back down and moved to a smaller slope which he galumphed up and ended up totally hidden in the vegetation.

Melody got a text this afternoon that seal had hauled out at a west side beach. She went to check it out and called it into the hotline. She met up with her friend Sandra who was onsite checking out the seal. It was a smaller seal and once Melody got the tag shot she ID'd RH92 Nalani female from Kauai. The beach was very busy and there were a couple of signs up. Melody and Sandra did their best to answer all the curious questions about the seal. Nalani stayed close to the water for several hours. As it got closer to sunset she was halfway in the water, they thought she would be heading out. But Nalani had other plans. At 5:30 she decided to turn around and galumph high up in the sand made herself a very deep wallow. Seems she was settling in for the night. Melody called the hotline and updated on her status.

Team Billand found Kalani and Ka'ale at the outfall foraging and playing. Good to see the bosom

buddies back together again. They followed RN14 who tried to land at Tracks, but people were too close and he kept going and finally landed at the trees. Team Billand got there and put up some sticks to keep the crowd away. They called the hotline to report. As Team Billand was heading out they saw RN14 Kalani get back in the water and head toward Kahe.

Just before 11 am they headed over to see if RN14 had landed. They arrived and see Lefty RG28 already up on the rocks. Ka'ale RH32 was already up on the rocks to the left. They see another seal coming in and the divers are following it with big underwater camera. Seal heads around the rocks and galumphs up by RG28. RN14 Kalani land and the diver is right behind him, climbing up on the rocks. After getting his photos he met up with 2 other divers and left.

Team Billand went to another beach side location and found three seals. There they found RW22 Kolohe sleeping on the lower rocks. R3CU was near seal inlet snoozing. Lastly there was RL20 Kalua sleeping way inland alone. His line is still dangling.

Next stop was the bay. They saw Nalu R3CX up on the rocks all the way to left side. He was alone and

sleeping in peace. RN44 was out in the bay foraging. Lei Ola RH48 was also foraging and getting her fill. Last but not least Team Billand spotted RH76 Kala and when they were thinking of leaving three kids came and they advised this kids of RH76 was right in the spot where they jump. The boy sat by the her and took out his cell phone. He got closer, then walked by the seal who barked and leapt at him. RH76 tried to get away but couldn't get off the rocks, the tise was low and too far to galumph out. This clearly was upsetting and frustrating. They called the hotline and was told no one was available.

Rabbit Island