1-3-2013 Team Billand

Kermit in a serious molt..

MM, Kermit and Maka'iwi

 Maka'iwi 

 MM

Benny by night 

 Luau at Paradise Cove

1-3-2013 Rocky @ Waikiki

Late entry from Dana of Rocky at Waikiki (there were actually two photos, but the other one was too large for me to download).

1-3-2013 DB's Dailies Kaiwi&Kolohe@RI, Buster@CW, Makaiwi,Kermit&M&M@WP, Rocky@Kaimana, Kekoa@RR, Benny@PC

It was yet another rainy, windy, crrrrappy day in paradise. I was battin' zero on the first pass through the quadrant, but at 0920 I found Kaiwi (RK96) and Kolohe (RW22) fronting Left Greenery on Rabbit Island. They would be the only RI residents , and remained all day.

At 1259 I found Buster (RV08) tucked into the cliff at China Walls. He had not been there on my morning check.

Team Billand checked in at 0620 with the report of Makaiwi (R4DF) at the fence line, White Plains.

At 0626 they reported Kermit (R012) fronting #1707, White Plains.

At 1100 Ocean Safety called with the report of an animal at Kaimana Beach (San Souci) in Waikiki. I notified Dana, and she called back at 1140 with the confirmation of the Rocky (RH58) ID.

At 1125 Zeeny reported an animal just hauling out at White Plains. The Billand confirmed the M&M (R020) ID, at 1338, fronting #1706.

Dera called at 1145 to advise that Eileen had called reporting "K73", Kekoa (RK72) at the Reef Runway.

The Billands found Benny (RE74) at Paradise Cove at 1800. He would depart at 1818.

I've got an airport run today so the dailies are going out a bit early. Please check da' blog in the morning for Team Billand's shots.

  Buster at China Walls

1-3-2013 DB's Dailies:Kaiwi,Kolohe&Aukai@RI, Benny,Kermit,M&M,Makaiwi@WP, KC@MCBH, Rocky@KK

At 0730 I found what would prove to be Kaiwi (RK96) right of 1BS on Rabbit Island. When I got back to Makai Pier at 0900, Kolohe (RW22) had joined her, and both were moving up into the Morning Glory, fronting 1BS, where they remained the rest of the day.

Also at 0900 I lucked out and saw what would prove to be Aukai just for a second, to the left side of Rocky Right Beach, at her favorite gnarly tree branch piece of driftwood. I lost sight of her immediately. When I relocated to the Makapuu Overview at 1208 she was visible. I confirmed the Aukai (RL12) ID.

Team Billand called at 0700 to advise that Benny (RE74) was just moving down to the water, fronting #1708, White Plains. He departed and was not seen again today.

Also at 0700 they reported Kermit (R012) and M&M (R020) having overnighted fronting #1707, WP . Kermit appears to be about 15% molted.

At LG Tower #2 , at 0700 they found Makaiwi (R4DF).

Kermit, M&M and Makaiwi all left late in the day.

Dera called at 0935 with a report , from Gordon, about an animal at Ft. Hase Beach, MCBH. Posse member Jen Christian responded and at 1239 confirmed the KC (RK28) ID.

Posse member Linda called at 1443 with the report of Rocky (RH58) behind her house on the Kokee Flats.

 KC on marine base... she's waiting for obama  

 awww the ole' gal is starting her molt covered with flies

 Rocky

 She's looking full figured

 

 Gorgeous shot Barb!  with Maka'iwi

Amazing how much she has changed 

 Miss MM

 Kermit going to pieces

 molting away

 MM and KErmit

 Benny Boy

1-2-2013 DB's Dailies: Aukai,Kolohe&U/F@RI, Buster@SC, Benny,Kermit,M&M,Makaiwi@WP,Pohaku@Sec, RI37@Laie

Happy New Year to All ! As I've learned over the years, this morning is always an unbelieveable mass of humanity and cars covering every inch of the SE quadrant coastal area, fullfilling some primordial need to watch the sunrise on this day. It was a ZOO out there! Thankfully, Buster was gone from Sandy Beach. We would find him doing 6 minute dives at Spitting Cave, at 0850.

Rabbit Island observations were a challenge today, due to crappy weather and limited visibility. At 0735 we found an U/U high on the beach at Rocky Right Beach, RI. The critter disappeared behind the water front rocks.

At 0751, what I believe to be a different animal hauled out and moved up and into the Morning Glory fronting 1BS, on RI. Once again an ID was not possible, but my dollar is on Nani ????? This animal would be gone when I got back to the pier.

When I got back to Makai Pier at 1036 I found Aukai (RL12) tucked in amongst the vegetation to the left side of Rocky Right Beach, on RI. She would remain there all day.

At 1042 Kolohe (RW22) and a small, red tagged , U/F hauled out together at Left Greenery, on Rabbit Island. They remained there together the rest of the day. Lack of visibility, non movement, and Kolohe blocking my view of the little female, all contributed to my need to end the day with an U/F ID. It was most definitely either Nani or Kaiwi, but I just couldn't see what I needed to see to make the call.

At 0735 Team Billand checked in with the report of Benny (RE74) fronting #1708, and Kermit (R012) & M&M fronting #1707, White Plains.

They would call again at 0940 with the report of Makaiwi (R4DF) at LG Tower #1 at White Plains.

The Billands reported Pohaku (RO28) at Secrets at 1100.

Dana called at 1537 with confirmation of RI37 in Laie.

 Kolohe and U/F 

 Buster at Spitting Cave

 Benny @ White Plains 

 Kermit peeling

 M&M

 Maka'iwi

 Pohaku at Secrets

January 1 2013 - Happy New Year

Aloha good people! Wishing you all

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2008 I met a seal on Kailua Beach nicknamed Chester. I will forever be grateful to him for educating me in the plight of the Hawaiian monk seals. 2008 wasn't "that" long ago and things have changed.... for one, we don't set up protection zones like this anymore....  we have an organized group of volunteers and posse through out the island.... we share news about the seals between islands.... and we have an increase in seals in the main Hawaiian Islands....

It's unfortunate the overall population still is in decline and the sad reality we may lose this species all together if things don't change. I have spent time in the last 5 years doing what I can to help, sometimes I have experienced the glory of a triumph and far too many times the pain of the loss. 

Thank you to each and every person who contributes no matter how big or small because every little bit counts. I have to also thank the folks at NOAA/NMFS many many good people working hard to make a difference and allowing me to participate in many of the efforts here on Oahu.

This blog was created in February of 2008 because of two old dudes.... one being Chester and the other being a special man who has a heart of gold and is as stubborn as a bull.... Chester taught me many lessons in January of 2008, but DB aka "seal whisperer" who taught me the most important lesson of all.... "just when you think you know what a seal will do, you realize you know nothing" oh and of course only Irma knows (OIK).

Thank you Chester & DB