MonkSealMania.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 1, 2011

9-1-11 DB Dailies

At 0600 the Dawn Patrol found Irma (R010) and Ka Iwi right where they were last night, at the east margins of the site. They would do a swim session from 0652 until 0754, and another from 1100 until 1158 , hauling out to their same starting point. I saw three feeds, put there were no doubt more.

Vera Cober stopped by today, and provided an interesting piece of info. She managed to capture Ka Iwi catching and either eating or at least mouthing what is probably a Moi. There were a couple of fishermen in the area this morning fishing for Moi and both Marilyn and Lesley saw lots of little dorsal fins in the shallows this morning. Outstanding job Vera. Ya' Done Good.......again !!

Thank you to all who served in the Irma trenches today, and thank you too, to Lesley and Marilyn who ganged up on me to force me into a kinda/sorta day off. Blondes, and ex-blondes..... ya' jus' cain't trus'um'. I would also like to thank Lesley and Marilyn for forcing you to REST! Good job my sisters!

When I got to Makai Pier at 1006 I found the gang of three, Duke (RA12), Kolohe(RW22) and Nani (RK60) all together on the Waimanalo side of Left Point Beach on Rabbit Island. At 1009 I became aware of Sadie (RB12) coming into view from behind the Morning Glory, 40 ft left of 1BS.

At 0833 Team Billand called with the report of M&M (R020) , alone at Guard Rails Beach, Maili. The next call came at 0835, advising that they had found RIP (RR70) 100ft away from M&M. A later call at 1448 advised that RIP had relocated to Maili Point. They also stated that M&M had begun her molt today. D#1 1%.

At 1200 the Billands advised that IRQ posse member, Clay Gates had reported Rocky (RH58) at IRQ. At that time the Billands asked Clay to investigate a report of an animal behind the Shooting Range, between IRQ and Ewa Beach. At1448 Clay confirmed that it was the dreaded , maneating Crab Pot Seal !! Thank you Clay !! I have to confess when I first read "crab pot seal" I immediately thought of Kekoa.... His birthing beach has a cooking pot just there on the sand.... and we know that is where crappy crab lives... My heart skipped a few beats thinking he made his way over to Iroquois... and how lucky for Clay.... but then I read the next paragraph and realized I jumped ahead of myself.

Another call from da' Billands came at 1459, reporting that Reef Runway posse member Eileen had called to report that Kekoa RK72) had been there all day, and was happy and well , and that Ewa Girl (RS00) was now there. Thank you , Eileen ! You are worth many times your weight in manapua !

Karen Turner sent shots from the Keiki Pond today. Her "Up and Over" sequence is grrrrrrrrrrrreat !!!

Rabbit Island gang Kolohe, Duke, Nani and Sadie

Welcome back Sadie

Rocky @ Iroquois

thank you Clay

M+M @ Maili Guard Rails

RIP @ Maili Guard Rail

9-1-11 PO3 Goes Up and Over R5AY

Thank you Karen Turner for a great series of shots of this not so little kid climbing up and over mom. Also want to take this opportunity to thank Karen.... She has provided numerous shifts of sitting with mom and pup not just this year but last year as well.... and she does this while she is here visiting. Wish we could convince you to stay year round as your service and dedication is invaluable...

Also want to say there has been several conversations regarding R5AY being aggressive with the pup.... For those who have sat with her since she started giving birth in this area this seems to be R5AY's "M.O." What I would say to all of you observing this behavior is to note if there are any wounds on pup or mom and be sure to report them ( get photos if you can).... One last thing.... it's not always mom being the aggressive one, reports have also been PO3 has been biting at mom and we're not talking just nibbles.... In the end let's hope all it is ... R5AY raises a tough bunch of bullies.

She's getting soooo big

Can someone confirm if all these marks are either changes to her coat or scratches.... she is definitely showing the change in the muzzle so I just wasn't sure.

9-1-11 Daily Report on Irma and Ka Iwi

Day 21 with Irma and Ka Iwi on Dawn Patrol

Ka Iwi filling in quite nicely

Mom and pup in for a swim

Big momma calling out

Kid responds

Double click on the next 3 photos to enlarge. We have shots of Ka Iwi with her fishing success.

Afternoon Shift with Auntie Lesley and Marilyn

Captain from Aina Haina Station... he may want to volunteer with us.... we love our firemen and women.

Of course who wouldn't want to volunteer looking at this

Thank You!! Auntie Lesley, DB and Vera and the rest of the crew at Camp Irma

Monk Seal Angels

It's hard to find the words of appreciation for these two people.... but based on Tuesday's events and our friend Val's comment to name Team Billand the Monk Seal Angels... I felt I needed to tell the rest of the story.

Most blog readers know Team Billand from their daily treks and great photos.... but I think we sometimes forget how many hours and miles they put in on a daily basis... I recently wrote a report for HMSRTO's last years work. One of the amazing things was beyond the 3,000+ hours, they actually travel over 16,000 miles looking and responding to seals. It was very sobering to look at these numbers.... and it doesn't end there because I know when they get home, they have their own family and pets to tend to, and then Barb sorts through the hundreds of photos.

The other remarkable thing about them, is they have been responsible for bringing attention to abnormalities in the environment our seals encounter.... everything from medical waste on the beach to a 5 ton floater rolling around on the shoreline.... just take a look on the blog under the label "debris" ... that will give you a snapshot of what they have done in just the past year....

But I'm not finished yet... going back to Tuesday... After leaving the reef runway with the NOAA team who freed Kekoa from strapping around his waist and picking up all the debris.... they responded to a call about a stranded dolphin in Nanakuli.... from what I understand a call was made into the Hotline and a couple of people responded.... but in the end Team Billand was out to the site, took care of the situation until it was handed over to NOAA. This just amazes me their ability to respond to whatever is needed, anytime it is needed just because its the right thing to do....

I know they have the respect of the many folks over in NOAA/NMFS both PIRO and PIFSC.... and many of us as volunteers appreciate them as well.... So I agree with Val... they truly are Monk Seal Angels. With much love and blessings to you both.

(photos are from 2009 with our friend Val, Barb, Rob and me).

8-31-11 North Shore Report from Auntie Leslie

So it's Wednesday and that is the day Auntie Lesley greets the day on the south shore Dawn patrol with Irma and PO4 and ends her day on the north shore with 5AY and PO3. Certainly a long day and such dedication and commitment..... but I KNOW, all of this puts a very big smile on her face.... Also Lesley pointed out that 5AY weaned sister Ua'Malie last year on DAY 48 (born June 29, 2010 and weaned August 18th 2010). So if the weaning period is the same we can anticipate her to wean this little girl around September 14th.

This little girl born on July 28th 2011 and weaned ??? oh by the way today is day #34.