Sunday, January 31, 2021

01/31/2021 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn and Team Billand.  I got a couple of photos of two unknown seals at Ka'ena Point, I sent the photos out to the posse to see if they could ID. Stayed tune, for the answers tomorrow,

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 1:40 to 3:15 today. Marilyn described today's viewing  confusing and frustrating. The seals were playing monk seal games.  To the best of her knowledge there were seven seals on island.... or 6 or who knows. 

At LPB, were possibly five critters. Seal 1, adult size darker male belly and unsure about tags. Seal 2,

juvenile to subadult in size, light yellow belly unsure of gender, but did have two tags. Seal 3, subadult size, light male belly and and two tags. Seal 4, subadult size, light female belly with two tags.  

Mystery Seal ? - (might be 5) When Marilyn first viewed the island she saw four seal, but later she realized there were five.  She went through her photos and didn't see it but did see that later Seal 1 moved closer to the 1BS when the crowd followed. (confused? I am.)

Between the 3BS and SRI were: Seal 6, juvenile to subadult size, unknown gender and with tags. She thinks it could be RK37 but no confirmed markings. Seal 7, juvenile to yearling size, no tags and unsure of the gender. It may be the same young one she saw yesterday.

Team Billand found Kekoa Alii RK72 was alone on lower rocks.  

Next they found Kaale RH32 and RN14 Kalani playing along the shore line. They attempted to haule out but there were too many people at tracks trying to take their picture. With some coaxing from Team Billand for the people to move back and let the seals come in, Kaale and Kalani both hauled out.

While visiting another site and checking out the area, they looked over to tracks from afar. They saw another seal hauling up on shore with Kaale and RN14.  When they got there it was Lefty RG28, who got into an arguement with Kaale. Kaale took off and Lefty stayed with Kalani.

Team Billand left and headed out looking for Kaale. They spotted a dog swimming in the water with a seal, the owner grabbed the dog. They thought it was Kaale but it turned out to be R407 Kawika. They ID 407's cookie scar and natural bleach.

They were thrilled to find RL42 Leia alone snoozing looking just fine. Although the beach was crowded she was undisturbed.

The last seal of the day was at the bay and none other than RN44.

Seals 1 thru 5 ?

Seals 6 and 7
Kekoa RK72
Kaale and Kalani
Kaale and Lefty
R407 Kawika
Lefty, R407 and Kalani (at some point Kaale and 407 switched)
Rh76 Kala
Kekoa
Leia RL42
RN44
An extra treat - Mother and child you don't get to see everyday

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