Its All About Kerby

Ladies and gentlemen.................. Ewa Girl and I are proud to announce the tagging of Kerby (W08/09) today, 6-18-08. Aloha, DB

DB Post Thursday May 29th

Ewa Girl & Kerby , RB08@ RI , Rocky@ DH, R302@ Nimitz Beach
Ewa Girl and Kerby the Hippo Boy, along with the little 1 yr old female, RB08 from Molokai, were the Rabbit Island cast today. Kerby grows more rotund with each passing day. I was in and out a lot but I saw 2 feeds and a swim.

Colleen Heyer called at 0815 to report that Rocky was still at Diamond Head. She called again at 1058 to say that Rocky had departed but then called again at 1823 to report that Rocky was once again on her perch at DH. Checking the records it is beginning to look like this might be pre-molt behavior for Rocky, in a non-childbirth year. We shall see. This was D#7 of her current stint at DH.

The Billands called at 1230 to report an animal they believed to be R302 at Nimitz Beach, Kalaeloa. When I arrived at 1342, I found, and documented what is definitely R302 on the beach fronting Bldg #1811, on Nimitz Beach. I have since poured over my photos, the Billand's photos and the shots taken from the moment I first met this guy, through his most recent haul outs at Ewa Beach and Kalaeloa Campgrounds. There is zero doubt in my mind, now having seen him up close and personal, in his new coat that this is , was, and shall always be, R302 / Temp 406 / Tiny Tim / Yoda. All markers are consistent with the exception of his forehead wound which has since healed. Though still a small critter, he appears sleek, and happy.

I got back to civilization an 1st Beck's at 1700. Aloha, DB

DB Post Wednesday May 28th

Ewa Girl&Pup(D#38)& RB08@ RI , Irma@ Kalaeloa, Rocky@DH & Right Spot@ Turtle Bay Hotel
Lots of miles today, but not much action. Ewa Girl & pup, and RB08 were the Rabbit Island cast today. The kid looks like "Hippo Boy". He is solid and fat, and has his new coat on. The belly has whitened up and his "maleness" is now clearly visible. I've been lax in passing on this little factoid, but several days ago , when I saw the male belly, I decided that his name shall be Kerby. As Ramses II once said (Ten Commandments) ... "So let it be written...So let it be done" ! I decided on Kerby out of respect for Terri & Terry Kerby, two people who show just how good the human animal is capable of being. Terry is the Chief Pilot of the HURL (Hawaii Undersea Research Lab) , the UH sub operation at Makai Research Pier, and Monk Seals could not ask for better friends.

I saw two swim sessions and two feeds today.

Also at RI, the little 1 y.o. female , RB08 was tucked into the base of the cliff in the morning but was down on the incline in the afteroon. She is looking reallly green, and her first year molt can't be too far off in her future.

Ace posse member Colleen Heyer called at 0741 to report that Rocky had overnighted at Diamond Head.

Brenda advised around 0800, that what would would prove to be Right Spot, a pregnant female, was at the Turtle Bay Hotel. She is due in July, and in recent years has gone to Kalaupapa to give birth. Hopefully, she'll do the same this year.

I did a SW quadrant check today, covering the beaches from White Plains to Campbell Industrial Park. Irma was my only find. She was fat and happy , and semi isolated on the beach at Kalaeloa Campgrounds, approximately 150 yds west of the White Plains perimeter fence. Aloha, DB

DB Post Thursday May 22nd

Ewa Girl&Pup (D#32), Mojo,R301& Buster@RI, 5-22-08
Ewa Girl and her HUGE child were once again at the left end of RI. They did 3 swim sessiond of approx 1:30 each, and 2 observed feeds. His muzzle continues to whiten and the belly gets lighter everyday. You NS guys will see soon enough that the babies you are looking at today, and going to undergo a miraculus changed very soon. I love watching the physical and intellectual growth as the weeks add up. As of yesterday I began to notice a slight concave look to EG's abdomen, when lying on her side. She is beginning to get baggy in the shorts.

Also at RI today were R301 and Buster, and I was especially happy to see Mojo. It's been a while since he showed face, and today was especially good timing. He turns 4 y.o. today. Happy Birthday Mojo !! Aloha, DB

DB Post Tuesday May 20th

Ewa Girl & Pup (D#30),R301 & Buster@ RI, Buster@ Spitting Cave, 5-20-08
The day began with Buster at Spitting Cave, doing 5-6 minute dives. He snuck off at 0712, but would pop up again in my life at Rabbit Island , later in the day.

The Rabbit Island cast was Ewa Girl and pup (D#30), and R301 and Buster.

I probably missed the first swim session of the day for EG and pup, but I did observe 2 swims and 2 feed. The swims were approximately 2 hrs. in length, and the ranging from the left end to the middle of the island. Their haul outs were always at their starting point at the left end of Rabbit Island. I got some looks at the kid's belly, but I won't commit on the sex at this time. The belly is beginning to lighten a bit, and the muzzle is being to turn white. This was the beginning of week #4.

I have not heard from the NS sites as of this writing. Aloha, DB

*** DB, I got home from NorthShore site with R5AY and P02.... I had the 4-7 shift with Malia and for the most part it was really quiet. Pup did some rolling and showed a lot of cuteness. The Pup nursed about 5:30 or so for only 10 minutes... BUT this was the 1st one I observed in which he spent almost a minute several times during the feeding. After the feeding both Mom and Pup were sleeping away and that how I left them.... ~donna~

DB Post Monday May 19th

Ewa Girl& Pup (D#29, RIP & Buster@ RI, Irma@ Kokee, 5-19-08

My day began with finding Irma for the 2nd consecutive day, at "Irma's Grotto" at the end of the Kokee flats.

Ewa Girl & pup (D#29) along with RIP and Buster made up the RI cast. EG & pup made a change to the usual pattern. Their water sessions were longer than previous days, and on the afternoon swim they began to explore the island from the surf break at the left tip of the island to the 2nd Blue Sign (2BS), which was the birth site. This was a distance of approx 500 ft, and they did the swim 2 1/2 times. It was the first observed exploration activity, and it comes at the beginning of week #4.

The pup is really fat, and is decked out in it's new rust red coat. The belly is beginning to lighten up, so I was on a mission to sex the animal today. Unfortunately the kid didn't get the memo, and it never gave me a good clean look at the belly, plus the VOG was back again today, so visibility was less than perfect.

On Saturday, 5-17-08 I found Irma swimming in Hanauma Bay, just outside the reef. From my vantage point above, I could see that nobody was aware of her presence amongst them. I recieved email from Tracy today, with the attached photos showing that at least once person noticed.

I've heard nothing from the NS sites as of this writing. Aloha, DB

DB Post Sunday May 18th

Ewa Girl&Pup (D#29)& Sadie@ RI, Irma@ Kokee, KC&Pup(D3#5)@ NS & R5AY&Pup (D#7)& NS, 5-18-08
It was a busy little day, with lots of miles. Ewa Girl & Pup were happy and well at RI. I saw one feed and one swim session, but I was gone a lot. I found Irma at "Irma's Grotto" at the far end of the Kokee flats.

Since I knew Irma was accounted for in the SE quadrant, I took a chance and made a North Shore run to check the other two pups. It was first time to the Mokuleia site. Though not quite as secure as the R5AY site, she could definitely have done worse in her choice. There was a highly motivated cadre of volunteers there, and the newest schedule looks to be adequately manned.

The R5AY site, also had an excellent crop of volunteers, and they were the only humans I saw. R5AY pup appeared happy and well, and the kid is chunking up , right on schedule. I saw feeds at both sites. Aloha, DB

DB Post Saturday May 17th

Ewa Girl&Pup (D#28), RIP & R301@ RI, Irma@ Hanauma Bay, 5-17-08
Once again I was in the SE quadrant all day. EG& Pup were still at the left end of the island. I observed 3 feeds and 2 water sessions. The pup was showing some obstanance by remaining on shore when Mom went in the water, Despite her repeated calls it barked back but would not leave the incline, It finally responded after an 8 minute delay . I know you've heard it before, but this kid is a monster. Sooooooo fat !! We are only half way through he process. For those of you who are looking at the 6 and 4 day old pups, the changes will be dramatic in the coming weeks.

I can't wait to see this porker... what a difference!

Oahu Pup Update - Backgrounds

Pup #1 P01 on Oahu was born on Rabbit Island on 4/20/2008
Mother is Ewa Girl ID# RS00, born in 1992 in the North West Hawaiian Islands. She showed up on the Main Hawaiian Islands in 2000 and has given birth at least 4 times. Flipper tags left S00 & 1A0, right flipper S01 & 1AP.

Ewa Girl frequents Hanauma Bay and has been seen on Kauai. Her distinct markings include a crescent shaped scar on the right side of her face, skewed nipples (only 3), a scar over right shoulder and a pit scar left mid body.

Ewa Girls' other pups;
RM34 born 2001 on Big Island (disappeared or dead)
RV08 born 2005 male Buster
RB12 born 2007 female Sadie

Pup #2 P02 on Oahu born Monday 5/12/2008 on the North Shore (near Turtle Bay). Pup is a male. This is the third pup for this mom. This female was first identified as an adult on Kauai in 2002. She was tagged on Kauai in 2003 (tags: 5AY/5AZ) and received the perm. ID of R5AY. She was sighted on Oahu in 2004 and 2005.

In 2005 she gave birth to her first pup on Kauai (RI37). In 2006 she gave birth to her second pup on Oahu at Turtle Bay--this pup later drowned in a gill net off of Rabbit Island. She tends to frequent the North and Northwest shores of Oahu.

Pup #3 P03 born on 5/14/2008 North Shore.
Have not sexed the pup at this time. This is the first documented pup for this mom. RK28 ("KC") is typically a seal seen on Kauai. She is untagged and was first identified on Kauai in 2003. She was seen briefly on Oahu in 2005. She returned to Oahu the fall of 2007 and has been sighted regularly along the North Shore and Northwest side of the island. She was bleach marked "N14" and has several prominent cookie cutter shark scars on her body that help to identify her. It is believed that she may have pupped on Niihau in the past: observations from Kauai report that she would disappear while looking very pregnant, only to return several months later much thinner.

Pups Galore!

Aloha Good People!

Well how about that 3 pups on Oahu AND lets not forget our guest pup from Kauai. I am sure I speak for all the wonderful volunteers of how blessed we are and how lucky we live in Hawaii!

I am also amazed in just the short amount of time I have observed the pups starting with Ewa Girl on Rabbit Island... very early on Mom was making the little critter work... crawling around the beach and getting slapped around on the shore break....
However the last 2 days observing 5AY completely serene lots of snoozing with baby.... the most movement on the little pup is trying to find the food..... I guess Mama seals have different styles of parenting as we do.

Tracy brought to my attention today that the pups have temporary numbers....
P01 - Ewa Girls pup on Rabbit Island
P02 - 5AY's pup on North Shore
P03 - KCs pup on North Shore

And a final thought from Mary Frances.... "Wouldn't it be wonderful if one of the pups belonged to Chester"