11/10/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Point Update

It was one of those days when you realize you must be prepared for anything that comes unexpectedly your way. Rain caused most of the events but all ended well.

In the seal world my first find was little RK88 “Puna” (M D196) @ 10Mnts Beach. He’s so cute and blends in perfectly with the sand. His face is like a Asian cartoon character, clean lines and always smiling. He does have that in common with his mom RN58 “Luana” she is also always smiling.

Out at the point, I had a flashback when several seals would haul out half way up to the lighthouse in winter. 

I was checking 2 seal on Main Beach on the waterline when a visitor said “Oh! more? There’re 4 seals on the beach back there”. I was sure he was making fun of us, but it was true!

On Main Beach:

R353 (F) and RK36 “Kauai Kolohe” (M b.2005) were sleeping peacefully one on each side of the beach. Always a pleasure to see KKolohe back on this side. He left when he was about to start his molt, spent sometime out at Turtle Bay and finally came back here.

On Back Beach:

- RW02 “PVKauai” (M b.2008), that was MIA from the front of the house today, on D7m is now around 80% done.

- RO40 “Ka’ena” (M b.2006) still very green

- RR70 “RIP” (M b.2003) down near the waterline

- and beautiful RL12 “Aukai” (F b.2012) – she’s enormous !! what a big seal she has

turned out to be, just like momma “M&M” (R020)

The best for last… I got a msg this morning that the 1^st Albatross was seen on Oahu this morning @ Kahuku Pt.

Well I got to see the 1^st Albatross of Ka’ena Pt. Wish I could share who it is etc… but I don’t know. It was sitting resting so I never got to see if it was banded or not.   

More tomorrow 

Shearwater chick

11/9/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Lesley. Since Team Billand had a short day I'll just combine the two updates in one post.

Team Billand headed over to the outfall and spotted a seal foraging off the outfall. The seal came in and took off to the right of the jetty. Seal had a clean coat red tags, two scratches on left side, they were able to ID Ka'ale RH32. They did not see him the rest of the day despite checking his favorite spots.

Their next find was later in the afternoon was Miss Lei Ola RH48. She was alone as usual but seemed a bit agitated, although there were no other seals around. She was resting and her tags were visible.

Ka'ale RH32

 Lei Ola RH48

Lesley's Ka'ena Update:

RW02 "PVKauai" spent all day yesterday in the same spot in front of the house.

This morning when I checked on him he was still in the same spot so his molt on D6 hadn't changed much from the 50% of yesterday.

Things changed in the late afternoon cause he has moved around and a big chunk of molt came off his side. He is now in the 60%

Out in the NARS RO40 "Ka'ena" was where I saw him on Wednesday - down on the waterline of Back Beach, although there was a fresh trail from the Naupaka line upon the sandy area all the way to him so he must have overnighted on the beach.

He is very green and may be starting his molt soon.

Surprise was IDing a seal on the outer reef of the Main Pool. Seal was on reefs on it's belly facing the ocean with hind flippers in the pool. I sat patiently till it tilted a little with a big set rolling in. Saw the 3 CC scars on back... later I was able to see the CC Scar in front of the LFF. Our lady R353 is back !

Back on this side there was a 2nd seal on the beach near Birth Beach. RR70 "RIP" he spent the rest of the day there      More tomorrow 

11/8/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, and Team T&D.  I also received an email during the day about a seal on the west side.

This evening while checking my emails for sightings I noticed there was an email from an unrecognized "posse" .  Well Bunny M was out on the west side and sent a picture of an adult male that had been on the beach for a couple of hours this morning. From the photo it was clearly a male, and Bunny mentioned the tag was E40. I was able to confirm with the posse it is in fact it is da Benny. Good to have the ole' boy back around.

Team T&D did the Ka'ena Trek today and they found RW02 PvKauai in front of the Lyman house. Then there was Puna RK88 at 10 minute beach. Both critters were still there when they were on the way out.
On their trek T&D found RIP RR70 on the rocks in the main pool looking shiny and handsome with his new coat.  Then there was Ka'ena RO40 on back beach, looks like his molt hasn't started yet. As an added plus they spotted a Shearwater chick outside of its burrow and did a little wing stretch.

Team Billand went out to the Outfall talking with the fishermen, when they spotted a seal off the outfall foraging. They watched for a bit and tried to get a shot of the tag. Persistence paid off as they were able to to ID Ka'ale RH32 as he quickly came into the outfall and then left in a hurry.

A couple of hours later Team Billand came across RO28 Pohaku. She was at a west side beach to the left of the cove, relaxing in a zone. There was a volunteer onsite who had put up the zone. Pohaku was relaxed, guess she hasn't met up with Benny yet. Team Billand only stayed long enough to get their fix and then headed out.

Team Billands last find of the day was Lei Ola RH48 chilling all by herself. Her tags were visible and she was totally relaxed. Even when sprinkles from the waves hit her, she responding with more stretching and back to sleep. They left her to keep her whereabouts unnoticed.

Seems there is some bridge construction by Makaha Surfing Beach. Hopefully it won't be causing major traffic jams.

Benny RE40

Puna RK88

 RW02 PvKauai

 Ka'ena RO40

 RIP RR70

 Ka'ale RH32

 Pohaku RO28

Lei Ola RH48