03/16/2021 Tuesday Sad News

 https://www.kitv.com/story/43508074/3yearold-hawaiian-monk-seal-found-dead-on-oahus-north-shore?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KITV&fbclid=IwAR0hwD2b733qYxCYlLfyu2HV7gvNRd6GXh-fmyZF2g1AFjf9c5xsVUYluIk

The link above is the news report about the loss of RK40 Napua born in 2018.   I am copying Lesley's words from her facebook post.  2018 was a special pupping season on the North Shore and Lesley experience it first hand.  I couldn't have said it better other than THANK YOU Lesley for all that you do and share!   In Lesley's own words:

Mahalo to all DLNR Ka'ena Point State Park team and volunteers for all your dedication to these seals.

It was May 5th 2018, I have a vivid memory of going down to check on RN58 "Luana" (b.2013) with her 6 days old pup RK88 "Puna" (M b.2018/d.2019) and RL42 "Leia" (b.2012). Then I saw there beside her still wrapped in placenta little RK40 "Napua". I'd forgotten the batteries of my camera on the charger and ran back to get it. 10 minutes later I was back .

Diane Gabriel

was standing there turned around with the biggest smile on her face and said "there's a pup". We were head over heels of joy. 2 sisters 2 pups!!!

We watched over them daily until they weaned and after that thru their adventures up and down the coast.

It's hard to acept their deaths.

We have to think on how many seals we've helped during the past +15 yrs and still do daily. Countless hours monitoring beaches and doing outreach, outreach and more outreach. Documenting seals and sending in reports

We do a difference!

Mahalo DB, Marilyn, Donna, Diane, Tammy & Dave, Barbara & Rob, Sealettes Val Kauai and Diane Molokai, Dana, Gayle, our friends and mentors @TMMC and the science team @ NOAA

Many other volunteers that have come and gone over the years you did your share, we think of you daily.

02/14/2021 (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update from Saturday

Marilyn joined me to do the monitoring today.

We spotted RN58 Luana freshly hauled out on some boulders

Later an overnighted R330 Squinty that spent the day on the beach and further RK40 Napua, who also spent all day on the beach.

While at the point we did the chicks survey, saw 2 BFAL flying around then landing and courting. One was "Our" banded V541 and the other an un-banded bird.

We also got to see some whales.

More soon - Be Safe 

01/26/2021 Tuesday Lesley's Ka'ena Update

 

It was muddy and slippery out here today.

We went in to monitor the birds and found the first chick, born yesterday and two on their way today. It's so much work for those little chicks hatch those thick eggs. So happy the chick season is starting

First seal sighting was RL98 Lina overnighted on the beach and spent the day there. In the afternoon RK40 Napua joined her but no interaction was observed.

Next RN58 Luana sleeping on a slab in a tide pool. Not far from her RW02 PVKauai was sleeping on a beach. 

I got to see R330 Squinty swim around and enter a pool, settle down on a reef and go to sleep.

We also saw several whale pods cruising, splashing and breaching. A perfect day in the park

More soon - Be Safe 

01/15/2021 Friday (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

 

Today was one of those paradise days out at Ka'ena.

Waves were still rolling in big from yesterday's swell and we are on tip toes for the big ones coming tomorrow. 

I got to F-I-N-A-L-L-Y get a photo of the endangered YFB - Yellow Face Bee.

In the seal world I had a crop: morning started with an overnighted RW02 PVKauai down the beach he spent the day there. Next little RL98 Lina tugged up overnight on the Naupaka line, RK40 Napua possibly overnighted on the same beach we saw her yesterday. RL74 Kami nearly got me today on a MIA but she moved just as I was walking by and I spotted her in a tiny tide pool protected from the swells. RN58 Luana and RO40 Ka'ena also overnighted at the point and were side by side down the beach.

More tomorrow - Be safe 

01/05/2021 (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Surrounded by girls !

On my park monitoring today I came across 4 beautiful ones.

First RL98 Lina and RK40 Napua sleeping near each other. At the point RL74 Kami was having a "Where's Wally?" moment, but I spotted her.

Surprise was on my way back finding RJ58 Kaimana hauled out in a cove sleeping peacefully. It's always nice to have her visits.

More soon - Be Safe 

12/29/2020 Tuesday (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Updat

 This morning I found and overnighted RL98 Lina overnighted on her favorite beach . Mid morning RK40 Napua hauled out near her and they spent the day sleeping.

Out at the point RW02 PVKauai was in the shallow of a tide pool to the delight of hikers. People were respectful, he probably ended up moving soon after I left because the swell and high tide were sending big waves into the pools.

It was a splendid day, the ocean was beautiful and watching the set roll in were a pleasure.

In the afternoon it got overcast.

More soon - Be safe 

12/12/2020 (part 2) Saturday Lesley's Ka'ena Update

 It has been such a busy week I only made it to the point 2 !!!

Today I enjoyed "peace" and normal day. Well, I know a busy Saturday, but it was OK.

On my second check in front, I caught RG40 Holokai hauling out - he spent the day

At the point R330 Squinty was on the Reef Island as the king of the castle

On my way back I found RN58 Luana in a small cove - she's looking great and nice and round

Further on another beach RK40 Napua was freshly hauled out.

The last couple of days working in the field I have seen several Hawaiian Humming Birds - they aren't birds, but are moths named Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

The Grey Francolins have augmented and are everywhere. The Albatrosses were hunkered down till the wind picked up than they started playing around.

More soon - Be Safe