8/25/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, posse pal Paul, seal pal Val and Lesley. Lesley's complete Ka'ena update is part 2 of the dailies.

The blog's old posse pal Paul Hasley was out at Ka'ena point this morning and came across a seal he thought had a tag of W04, which to the best of my knowledge is RW02 PvKauai ( based on Lesley's report it looks like the same critter to me from a different perspective).

Team Billand checked the outfall this morning and was able to see two seal foraging. One of them RN14 Kalani who didn't stay long. The other critter was Kaale RH32 and he stayed on foraging as usual. They watched him catch and eat lots of fish but the last one he stole from one of the fishermen, a good size papio. Team Billand stayed for about three hours and some of the fishermen have returned. Later in the afternoon they returned to check on him but found Kaale and RN14 at a nearby beach. Fat and happy.

Team Billand was pretty happy to be back on the road again, stores are open, gas stations open, somewhat back to normal. They did the Ka'ena west trek in spite of the muddy trails. Sure enough it was worth it because there is a seal resting. They look and the seal's foreflipper is scarred and they were able to ID RL42 Leia. She was in the same position on their way out, resting and surrounded by poop.

Marilyn went to the pier to view Rabbit Island but the pier was still closed. So she set up from the road and it started raining so she left. She was able to get a glimpse of the island and saw three seals up in the grass above the beach to the right of the 3BS. Viewing conditions were extremely limited and she was not able to get any IDs.


On Kauai, our pal Val suffering from cabin fever loaded up and went in search of seals. She was not disappointed, as she found four seals, two honu and unfortunately some marine debris.
Val found RN44 male, R1NS female and two weaners. KC's boy RKA4/5, and Pohaku's girl RKA6/7. All the seals appeared healthy and no wear and tear from Hurricane Lane.

Bosom Buddie Kalani RN14 & RH32 Kaale

 RN14 Kalani

RH32 Ka'ale

 RL42 Leia

 Late afternoon Ka'ale little fat boy

 Bosom Buddies

 Three U/Us Rabbit Island

 Weaner cuteness RKA4  male 

 RKA6 female

RN44, R1NS, and RKA4

 RN44 & R1NS

8/18/18 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) RH32, RN14, RR70, RO28 -

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, our Pal Val, and Lesley. Lesley's update from yesterday and today is part 2 of the dailies.  Our Pal Val sent us an update from Kauai Weaners. 

Team Billand checked the outfall early this morning and found two seals and a whole lot of fishermen. Ka'ale RH32 was already in the outfall and RN14 Kalani came in after. They both left shortly after Kalani's arrival, headed out to sea. They were still visible from the pier foraging about 400 ft out. Thank goodness they were out of the area with so many fishermen. Team Billand lost sight of them after an hour.


Team Billand checked a nearby beach and found RN14 Kalani coming in up on the rocks. He was looking around, but no other critters were around, not even his buddy Ka'ale. They never saw Ka'ale again for the day.  They did recheck Kalani RN14 later he was still there alone with the afternoon rising tide.

A good friend of Team Billand contacted them about 10 am, he was at Nimitz and he spotted three seals pass him. He knew one of them was Benny RE74 who had landed shortly on shore but took off.
Team Billand was on their way to Ka'ena West and decided to turn around. They drove to Plains and there were lots and lots of people on the beach. They checked with the Lifeguard and he pointed them towards the fenceline, but there was no critters.
Team Billand arrived at windsock and they found RIP RE74 and Pohaku RO28. hanging out by people, campers and some poles. They advised everyone to move back and they were good about it. Team Billand called the hotline.  Team Billand left close to noon, hoping that someone would show up.

News from Kauai - Our pal Val and Ron headed out to the "weaner zone" and fround RKA4/5 (KC's male pup) and RKA6/7 (Pohaku's female pup) hanging out together. They were napping about 6 feet apart when they first arrived.  Of course Val & Ron did some beach cleanup and came to find "da cousins" playing in a tide pool. They were born four days apart and have been seen together since they were weaned and given their bling.
In other Kauai news RK30's pup who was born on a very remote beach was tagged this week and it's another girl She is RKA2/3.  In all Kauai has 3 females and 2 males for 2018.  THANKS Val for the update. 

Ka'ale RH32

 RN14 Kalani  

 the crowds 

 RIP & Pohaku 

 da cousins - RKA6 female (Pohaku's kid) & RKA4 male (KC kid)