11/3/2015 DB's Dailies: Aukai,Kimo Kai & U/W @ Rabbit Island, RW02 @ Mokuleia, U/U Turtle Bay

On my first look at Rabbit Island I found what would prove to be Aukai (RL12) at the log, 40 left of 1BS. She would later move down, allowing the ID.

 When I got back to the pier at 0841 I found an U/M fronting 3BS. He would enter the water at 1139, and hauled out to join Aukai for the rest of the day. I checked my Kimo Kai (RT12) file when I got home and compared the mottled pattern I’ve seen the last couple of day, as well as a small throat scar on today’s animal. It was a match. At least some of my U/M sightings have been Kimo Kai.

 On a pan at 0916 I found a weaner moving into view from out of the Morning Glory behind Seal Rock Inlet. Unfortunately, view conditions made it impossible to confirm an ID. About half the time I thought I saw a female belly, then the other half, a male. I did not see the L5 bleach associated with RG32, so Cass is still a possibility, but I don’t want to repeat last week’s “Oooops” so I’ll hold of on an ID. Maybe tomorrow ???

 Lesley called at 0745 with the daily RW02 report from his hideout between Lyman Castle & Camp Erdman. His molt looks to be progressing up the sides and on the back. Between poop & molt, Lesley says you smell him waaaaay before you see him !

 Thomas Sperandeo sent photos of an animal he encountered ½ mile east of Elbow Beach. There just wasn’t enough info in the shots to confirm an ID or sex.

I don’t often cover Big Island news, but with Colleen’s find of RW34 (H01) this past weekend, a follow up is required. Early morning mail from Colleen advised that she had heard from Claire on the BI, that RW34 had pupped last night at 1730 !

 Aukai and Kimo Kai

 Aukai 

 Kimo Kai

 unidentified weaner 

RW02 hidden away 

 beginning his molt

 UU beyond elbow beach

11/2/2015 DB's Dailies:Kaiwi@Rabbit Island, Holokai,RK36&U/F@Turtle Bay, Pohaku@Depot's , Nanakuli, 11-2-15, Y/N, Nihoa fronting Himalaya's, N.S

Kaiwi was the only find today. She galumphed out of Seal Rock Inlet, on Rabbit Island at 0957. She would be the only RI resident today. Thankfully, her natural bleach on top of her head, was immediately visible when she hauled out, and I saw it many times through the day, though my shots couldn’t seem to pick up the tiny white spot at 8/10ths of a mile.

 Lesley checked in at 0732 to advise that RW02 was at his same location this morning. His molt continues.

 In the Yesterday’s News department Dennis Pettigrew sent photos yesteday of an animal he encountered on the beach, fronting the “Himalaya’s” surf spot on the North Shore. It required an evening and a morning of research, and teaming up with Tracy to finally confirm an ID. It turned out to be Nihoa (R912).

 Jon Gelman sent shots from Turtle Bay today. Holokai (RG40) was just east of the Keiki Pond, and what must be carried as an U/F was near Marconi Rd. He thought it might be Right Spot, and it may well be but based solely on the photos that can not be confirmed.

 Diane Gabriel checked in from Turtle Bay at 1812. She advised that the Marconi animal was gone when she checked. Holokai remained, and she & Karen Turner also found another animal closer to the hotel. She saw a tag but it was unreadable in the failing light. The photos arrived at 2000. I’m happy to report that it was RK36. He is ready to start his molt.

 Melina Clark emailed her shots of Pohaku (RO28) at Depot’s in Nanakuli. They spent quality time together. Thank you Melina,

yesterday's news Nihoa 

 Today's News Kaiwi on Rabbit Island 

 Holokai

 U/F  unidentified female

 Pohaku at Depots

Holokai

 got himself tangled up in some driftwood

 bye bye

 RK36 at Turtle Bay

 where he'll molt no one knows... but it will be soon

11/1/2015 Turtle Bay Update

Little Holokai hanging out along the sticks and grass

 La'akea snoozing at the shoreline by the hotel

11/1/2015 DB's Dailies: Kainoa@Aukai@Rabbit Island, Kaiwi@China Walls, RW02@Mokuleia, plus RW34&U/M, Big Island

At 0739 I found Kainoa (RN04) new arrived, fronting 1BS on Rabbit Island. He would remain there the rest of the day.

 Also at 0739 I found Aukai (RL12) fronting 3BS on RI. She too would remain the rest of the day. 4

Mahalos to M&M (Marilyn & Melanie) for making the hunt through the SE quadrant. Melanie called at 1300 reporting Kaiwi (RK96) at China Walls.

 Colleen Heyer called from the Big Island at 1429. Vacation or no, ya’ can’t keep a good Monk Seal girl down. She called with a report and shots of a probably pregnant female in the company of a smaller male, at Keokea Beach Park, Hawi, BI. Forwarded the shots to Tracy for some profession help on an ID. Tracy called at 1820 to advise that the pregnant female is RW34. She is expected to pup any second now. Tracy checked in again at 1849 to advise that Big Island personnel were advised. They had apparently gotten word of RW34 and a small U/M at that location. They will be going out tomorrow to assess the situation.

 Aukai

  Kainoa 

 Kaiwi at China Wall

RW02 molting at Mokuleia 

surrounded by footprints

 RW34 and U/M on Big Island

 RW34 ready to birth any second

 UU on big island