09/04/2021 Saturday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Lesley, Melody and Team R&B💕.  Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies.

Marilyn did Ka'ena point with Lesley this morning and made it to the pier.  She only viewed Rabbit Island for about an hour when the rain showers came. There were three seals on island during her observation.

High on LPB were two seals. U/M: adult to subadult size, new coat, medium gray male belly and two tags. U/F: adult size, newer coat, light female belly and lots of sand.  Near SRI was an U/J: juvenile size, old coat, and a fair amount of green and two tags. Marilyn wasn't sure about its sex.

Team R&B decided to get out early and head over to tracks to check on what ever seal might be there. When they arrived there was R3CX Nalu on the beach, also was a kid pulling up all the sticks that were put in place to protect him. The Dad came by and told him to put them back and the kid did (sort of). Then Dad started yelling sea lion sounds to get a reaction, but Nalu just slept.  Just when you thought Dad had some common sense.  

Team R&B put out more sticks, hoping people would get the message. It appears Nalu may molt soon, but only he knows and lets hope he goes somewhere else to do it.  They hung out for a bit, as a couple dogs came by, then a few of the campers.  When Team R&B left they did not return knowing this 3 day weekend will be a zoo.

They decided to hike out to Ka'ena West, there were lots of tourist out. They finally found one seal snoozing on the rocks below. It was a male, and looked really familiar. Sure enough he flipped over showing his tags, and that's when they realized it was RH32 Ka'ale.  He far from his usual haul outs, maybe he's heading to Lesley to molt.  He certainly pigged out enough at the bay.

Melody got a text last evening that a seal hauled out at Kaimana Beach. So of course she was up and at

'em early morning to check. Unfortunately the seal had already left. It was described as a very big green seal, leaving Melody to wonder who it could be.  A little after 9, Kaiwi RK96 hauled out. She came in slowly and stayed at the waters edge for a very long time.  When the tide cam in, Kaiwi moved a little. One of the cones that was placed with a sign was taken by the tide and floated around a bit before Melody could get to it.  Melody headed out mid afternoon and Kaiwi was still snoozing peacefully and undisturbed.

Rabbit Island

R3CX Nalu

Kaale RH32

Kaiwi RK96