Sunday, June 13, 2021

06/13/2021 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Marilyn and Team R&B💕.  Lesley's very complete update from a bumper crop seal Saturday is part two of the dailies!

Marilyn went to the pier today to view Rabbit Island and while she was set up she heard one of the security guys Brian calling out to her that there was a monk seal. So she grabbed the camera and went downstairs, and was surprised to see two seals. She watched them for about 10 minutes. She was able to ID KC RK28 by her size, numerous cookie scars and mobbing scar on her back and no tags. She moved slowly along the pier then went out around the Makapuu end of the pier and headed in the direction of Rabbit Island.  Marilyn didn't get a good look at the second seal because it was mostly underwater. She estimated the seal to be adult size and she did not see tags. It followed KC around the end of the breakwater towards Rabbit Island. Marilyn is pretty sure she saw a NB on its head, which could be Mojo RI17, and this would be a really big surprise. 

Today on Rabbit Island, it was just Mom Aukai RL12 and P04 Manana. They started out on waterfront

rocks and it was almost impossible to see. About an hour later they entered the water while Marilyn observed the seals swimming around the pier. 

Finally just after 1 they hauled out near the 3BS. P04 then had a nursing session and later moved up the beach. She definitely found some small stick to play with today. RL12's N13 applied bleach on her right side was visible today. P04 is growing looking good and doing normal pup activities.

Team R&B once again started their day early to see if they would find more critters. They were happy to find three seals in the water splashing. They ID'd little green RL20 Kalua, then there was da Benny RE74 and the 3rd critter was a U/U with a clean coat with red tags. They could not make and ID and the U/U disappeared with Benny. Only RL20 remained, but he didn't haul out.

At another west side location they found RH76 Kala looking big. She remained at the seal inlet area and was alone.

Now for most people they would have been satisfied and called it a day, but not for Team R&B. They made the ride over to the other side to check on RL42 Leia and P03 Puka. When they arrived Mom and pup were swimming in some rough water. P03 handled it like a champ with Mom.  To the right on the beach was Lefty RG28.

Then out of nowhere another seal appears on land with Lefty. It's Ka'ena RO40, he galumphed up and startled Lefty and a fight broke out.  Long story short Lefty fought for his spot on shore and chased Ka'ena away. When he left he headed in the direction of Camp Erdman. Lefty swam along the coast and landed at the very spot where Mom and Pup had been. He didn't seem to know they were in the water right behind him.

Leia RL42 and P03 were in the water swimming and playing for a long time. Finally they landed and

Mom immediately sees Lefty who was facing her. She lands on shore trying to get the pup to listen, barking at him. Then she went charging for Lefty, they made contact and Lefty took off with a wake heading in the direction of the point.  NO BODY messes with Momma and her Baby!  Leia and Puka settled in and went to sleep!

I'm not sure if it was on their way home or before they headed up to see RL42 and P03, they made a stop at plains.  When they got to the site they found Miss Rocky RH58 on shore in a nice setup per the lifeguards. She looks plump, happy, healthy and her signature white natural bleach left flipper was visible.  She moved up on the beach due to the rising tide.

KC RK28
Unknown adult
Aukai and Manana
Benny
RL20 kala
unknown/unidentified
Kala RH76
RL42 Leia and P03 Puka
Lefty RG28
Ka'ena RO40
and the fight begins
Lefty 
RL42 and P03
RL42 going after Lefty
Rocky

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