Jan 2, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies:

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn. Yes Mrs. Whisperer is back and I met up with her at the pier to return the gear.  

Marillyn and I viewed Rabbit Island from about 1 -2:30. We saw only two seals close together by the 3BS.  An unknown subadult female UF in the front initially. Behind her was an unknown juvenile U/M. Later the UM moved to the left (Lanikai) side of the other seal. The UM had a lighter belly and two tags. The UF had a slightly darker belly and two tags. Not much else to help with identification.


Team Billand started their day doing all their usual spots and no signs of any critters. They headed back to Leeward and got lucky.
There they found Kekoa Alii RK72 and RW02 PvKauai. PvKauai was on the lower rocks sleeping and Kekoa was left, high rocks. Kekoa Alii was getting pounded by the waves, he would finally move to the water hole closer to RW02. Seals were all settled, volunteer Melina was on site along with Melody.  Team Billand went back after 3 and both critters were in the same spot sleeping.

After leaving the boys Barbara did the Ka'ena West hike.  At the twenty mark, she spotted a small seal tan. Barbara was hoping for another Kaimana sighting but this little cutie was Puna RK88, tags were visible.  He was very comfy on the warm rocks in the bright sun light. He barely moved except when he got covered with waves a couple of times and then right back to snooze mode.  Puna was still there on her way out.

The bonus of the hike, the whales were out from the beginning to end.

Rabbit Island UF UM

 Kekoa Alii

 RW02 PvKauai 

 Kekoa and RW02

 Puna RK88

 Whales

Jan 2, 2019 Lesley's Ka'ena Update

I went out early and had a very busy day. The weather was beautiful warm and windy.

The 3 seals of today were at the point

RO40 "Ka'ena" and RN30 were in the Main Pool. They had a fun swimming splashing playing session then settled on the island reef to rest.

R3CU was by himself on Back Beach at first up mid beach then made his way to the waterline.

The waves were picking up during the day and a big swell rolled in.

Several hikers reported a small seal on the Waianae side - I was informed that our little juvenile RK88 "Puna" was along the trail.   More tomorrow

Jan 1, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2019!  This morning I woke up and realized 11 years ago on this day I was introduced to Hawaiian monk seals.  Oh what a ride it has been, all the critters, all the pups, all triumphs and yes all the losses.  In all of this I will remain forever grateful to the wonderful friends I have met and I truly consider them an extended family.  Here's to another wonderful year of seals and my monk seal ohana.  

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley, and my Rabbit Island observation.  Lesley's update is an update from last year (12/31) and is part two.  

My Rabbit Island observations went well, I spied four critters today. One U/M to the left of the 3BS, I really want to say it was Kea again and I thought I saw a bleach on his flipper but I can not say for sure.  What is amazing... are the photos I got with Marilyn's new camera. Considering how far away from the island I was, and although they aren't in complete focus they're pretty awesome.  Marilyn I had the zoom all the way up and think the reason it worked so well had more to do with the lighting conditions.  Anyway, I spent most of the day being excited about the photos. LOL


There were three critters just right of the SRI inlet. Yesterday I referred to them as small, medium and large, .... today I was calling them Wee, Mee, and Lee.  It would only be a guess they are the same but who knows.  Again, enjoy the photos... Wee and Lee were together and Mee was to the right.  I do think they are all females, but I can not say for sure.

Team Billand didn't find a critter until late morning. Their first find was a critter on a westside beach on the rocks. They watched for a while waiting to see a tag or some indication of who this might be. The seal lifted its head and they see the scar on the right side of the face and knew it was Kekoa RK72. This is the first time they have seen him sporting his new coat, last time they saw him he was still molting. Such a handsome boy.

Team Billand headed out to continue their search and came across another critter snoozing on shore at one of the populated westside beach. Tags were showing and they ID'd RW02 PvKauai. Volunteer Melina arrived.

This afternoon Team Billand made the Ka'ena West trek. They found Ka'ena RO40 on the rocks below. There were lots of people out swimming and playing in the ponds. Ka'ena was fine, and undisturbed. Scar was ID'd by scar on right side of mouth, as his tags were not visible.

Along Team Billands travels they spotted whales, and a little mongoose enjoying some noodles. What are the chances?   BUT the big news of the day was the surprise Team Billand got when they happen across a small seal sleeping on a small sandy patch. It took a bit to get the tag shot and finally she moved and there was RJ58.... what?  Barbara was thrown off and had to check with a friend and they confirmed it was none other than Kaimana!!!  This is the first time she has been seen this far west and it was a thrill for Team Billand. She is looking good, weight and no outstanding markers. 
We're off to a great start to the new year.

 Zoom in 

 The usual shot

 u/m

 by SRI two of three greeting each other

Kekoa RK72 

 PvKauai RW02

 Ka'ena

 Kaimana RJ58 

Whales

Jan 1, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 2) Yesterday's News Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Yesterday, or shall I say last year, while having my coffee walking down the driveway I saw a familiar shape down at Camp Erdman Point. Later when I went down to check I found an overnighted RN58 “Luana”. She departed mid morning.  I was glad not to see other seals around since many people were on the beach to celebrate the coming of the new year.

This morning I left the house just after dawn today to head out to monitor from Camp Erdman to NARS.

It was a beautiful day brake, my first sighting of the sun was it coming up thru Manini Gulch. Anuenue followed me all the way to the point and I got a couple of double ones. Albatrosses and whales put a show on today to great the new year.

It started slowly but soon flocks of hikers started making it to the point coming in from both sides.

I had seen RN30 (M – Pohaku’s kid) near Nihoa’s Pool on his favorite flats. My impression is that no one else saw him there today. I noticed during the past week that his N30 top side tag is chipped but only today I got a good shot of it.

At the point our new Juvenile  RK88 “Puna” had overnighted mid Main Beach and was quite an attraction.  Him turning into a Juvi was a conversation starter for outreach.

I can still hear my voice in my ears….

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou to all !     More tomorrow 

Lesley's first sunrise of 2019

 

 Puna

 looks like a bruised nose, hope he isn't trying to sniff any eels