11/3/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Marilyn and Melody. Marilyn had an incredible seal day finding 12 seals between Ka'ena Point Trek and observing Rabbit Island.  Lesley's Ka'ena Update covers yesterday and today. AND I was able to upload Team Billands photos from yesterday. 

Marilyn headed for the pier after being at Ka'ena point this morning with Diane and Lesley. She viewed Rabbit Island for just over an hour late this afternoon.  There were 7 seals on island.
Seal #1: RW22 Kolohe ID'd by the natural bleach behind his right front flipper, adult size and his male belly. It appears he might be starting to molt.
Seal #2: Unknown weaner, never showed its belly or tags and coat is somewhat brown. 
Seal #3: Adult to subadult unknown, about 95% molted; never showed belly or tags.
Seal #4: Unknown juvenile/weaner male; Gray coat with light belly and one visible tag.
Seal #5: Unknown juvenile to subadult; unable to see belly or tags, newer coat.
Seal #6: Unknown subadult to adult; possible male belly, coat looks new, unable to see tags.
Seal #7: Seal at the end of Marilyn's visit it was located Makapuu side of SRI approaching Rocky Right Beach. This was a weaner to juvenile size seal, but unable to determine gender,

In yesterday's news Team Billand was out briefly and came across a seal who they believe to be Lei Ola RH48 with a brand new coat.  I hope their computer problems get resolved soon. 

Melody was on the North Shore this afternoon for a tour at the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge. On their way home she convinced her husband to take the scenic seal route home, so she was able to check out a few beaches and check for seals. She did come across one critter who may be Squinty R330. She saw Lesley from afar but wasn't able to compare notes. Although she suspects it's R330 she reported it as a UU.  And gratefully Melody included some photo from James Campbell Refuge.

AMAZING photo I think Marilyn's new camera is amazing

Seal #2

 seal #3

 seal #4 

 seal #5 & 6

 seal #7

Lei Ola is that you?

U/U maybe squinty....

James Campbell Wildlife Refuge

11/3/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: ( part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update Yesterday & Today.

Today's News:

Morning started with 3 seals right here in front.

RR70 "RIP", RW02 "PVKauai" and R330 "Squinty" they were spread out along the beach.

RW02 "PVKauai" was up in the naupakas and on my first pic I had the impression he had started his molt and I reported it as. But this afternoon I saw him again and didn't see the crack !?!?! downloading the pics I noticed it was a Morning Glory leaf on his chest.

I met up with Marilyn, Diane, Ken and Alexis. We all started in towards the point.

RK88 "Puna" was at the Pkg Lot Beach were he spent all day.-

Out at the point RO40 "Ka'ena" was at the entrance of his pool

The big surprise was to spot a seal with a new coat on the outer reefs of the main Pool. We sat patiently waiting for it to give us some info on it's ID. It had a visible scar on it's front left shoulder...familiar... I looked around and saw 2 no 3 CC scars on its back.... wait a little longer... R353 kept popping to our heads... we needed that belly shot...finally as we were about to leave and had already agreed it was her R353., she turned and showed her belly and the scarline on her chest.

On my late afternoon check RK88 "Puna" was still @ Pkg Lot Beach and only RW02 "PVKauai" was left on the beach.  More tomorrow 

Yesterday's News:

Yesterday's 2018-11-02 report:

My coolest find of the day was to see the beautiful BIG green turtle hauling out at 10Mnts Beach.

Once or twice a year we get to see a BIG turtle hauling out there. I like to think that it is the same one, it has no markings so I probably will never know for sure.

RO40 "Ka'ena" was hauled out on top of reefs at the entrance of his pool.

In the afternoon I found RR70 "RIP" molt 95% and RW02 "PVKauai" in front of the house.

Just as I was stepping down to the beach I saw a "glass ball" !!!! in front of our door step??? but alas getting closer it was a kid toy still in it's original wrap and sealed. I was nearly starting to call my pal Sealette Kauai Val to share the news...

11/2/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Melody and Team Billand. Unfortunately Team Billand is having technical difficulties and tried to get me their photos by messaging me on the phone. I can tell you they only found one seal who appears to be a molted Lei-Ola, but I can not confirm for sure.
We'll have to keep our fingers crossed that their computer is better tomorrow and/or I can get the photos OFF my phone and on my computer. Thank you for your patience.


Also here is a link from NOAA about a great year for monk seal babies.
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/endangered-species-conservation/hawaiian-monk-seal-updates?fbclid=IwAR3grH-gQdUj8JQ3Mxsg2tzg-OJj3JKT0HRA2M4xkFAgsqYdFE6m6kW2OHs

Melody started her day early with a trip to the North Shore. After being out by Camp Erdman and initially coming up empty, she was surprised when finally she spotted a seal laying flat out on the beach. It was RIP R76. There is a good chance he had been there all along hiding in the Naupaka. He is still molting about maybe 80% complete. Melody hung out with him for about an hour in the rain and was getting ready to head out but another seal was making its way out of the water and making a beeline up the beach toward the morning glory. He was fidgety and playful, sticking his head in the sand several times and rolling around. Melody got some video and photos but wasn't sure who the seal was. She checked in with some posse pals and Tammy was able to help IF PvKauai RW02.

Melody made one more stop closer to Haleiwa to see if there were seals or maybe any Honu. Although there were no seals there were a lot of Honu swimming, floating in the reefs and laying on the beach.

PvKauai RW02 

 RIP RR70  almost done 

Honu World

11/1/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Tammy and posse pal Ken T.  They both checked out Ka'ena Point today separately.  Interesting they both found RW02 PvKauai early on their visits. 
The second critter up today was Ka'ena who was hanging out in the water. Tammy initially called him in as a UU but once she got home on her computer she was able to determine it was in fact Ka'ena.

PvKauai RW02

 Looks like he's going to molt real soon

Ka'ena RO40

 seal wallows

 

RW02 PvKauai

 Ka'ena