December 2, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and posse pal Larry Mitchell and family! 

Early email from Larry today included a bunch of photos and video who he thought to be Benny. No surprise since Da Benny had been hanging out there for a bit. But looking closer at one of Larry's tag shots the tag L43 makes this critter RL42 Leia.  I can't say for sure they are all her, but based on Larry's comments and timing I am going to assume it's all the same seal. 
Thank you to Larry and his son and daughter-in-law (Keith & Sally) for sending the pictures and video!

NOW having said that, Larry did send photos from yesterday and it does appear to be Benny... but I won't swear to it. I'll let the posse weigh in on this one.

Team Billand arrived at a west side location at 8:30 and found the lovely Lei Ola RH48. She was on the rocks snug as a bug, being very still. Her weight looks good and they noticed a mark near her fore flipper, but unclear if it was a dry spot or a new marker.

While watching Lei Ola they noticed two seals frolicking in the water, but it was hard to get an ID. They finally came up on the rocks and Team Billand was happy to see RH76 Kala who was being followed by RIP RR70.
After landing on the rocks, RIP went right next to her in the small pond, she was just moving around tossing her hind flippers looking at RIP.  Kala kept Team Billand very entertained with her silliness.

In other marine mammal news Team Billand spotted a mom and

calf humpback today. There were lots of boats out so they didn't see them again.

Team Billand came across Ka'ale RH32 at another west side location. He was sleeping on his side, in the pond alone. He is looking quite fat and healthy, nice coat and his tag was visible.

At 2:30 Team Billand did the Ka'ena West trek and found Ka'ena sleeping in the pond alone. His tag was showing which made for an easy ID.  He remained in the same spot on their way out.

Yesterday's news Benny @ Makaha for the day

UU - Benny ?  RL42 ?  Today at Makaha 

 RL42 Leia

Lei Ola RH48

RIP & Kala RH76 

Ka'ale RH32 

Ka'ena RO40

December 1, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Team Billand and Marilyn. Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies. 

Marilyn did her usual check of the southeast quadrant and did not find any seals this morning.
About 10 am she headed for the pier to observe Rabbit Island but the wind conditions and high surf made sitting on the lanai an almost impossible task.  Marilyn did take a quick look and spotted two seals hauling out by the 3BS.

About 1 pm Marilyn went over to Kaupo Beach Park and set the scope up and although conditions were still overcast and windy she did manage to get a couple of photos of the critters on Rabbit Island.  
Two seals to the right of the 1BS were: UU#1 - juvenile to subadult size, beige belly, maybe female and two tags. UU#2 - located up in the morning glory, appears to be adult size and possibly molting. Could be the same unknown male molter from 11/28, but the seal stayed tucked up in the morning glory never exposing belly of tags.

Two seals to the right of the 3BS were: UM - adult size, male belly and two tags. Marilyn thinks this could be RG32 but not willing to bet any cats on it. UU#3  juvenile size, newer coat, tags and belly were not visible.

Team Billand's day started their day doing their normal routine checking all the westside sites looking for seals. Finally they spotted a seal foraging off shore doing 7 minute dives.  Team Billand was able to ID RIP RR70.

Next seal lands galumphs up on mid rocks, it was not RIP, thankfully they got a tag. It was RH76 Kala braving the gusty winds and high surf.
Another seal lands on lower rocks, and Team Billand got the tag RH32 Ka'ale. He rolled off the rock and left with the big waves. 
On an afternoon check all seals had left the site.

At 12:30 while on their routine checks Team Billand noticed volunteers at one of the sites.  There was a seal resting on shore on the sand and when it moved Team Billand noticed the fishing line. They asked what was going on..... long story short RH92 Nalani was reported with a line coming out of her mouth. Volunteers were on site and NOAA Team was on their way.
Team Billand stayed onsite to observe between 12:30 to 3 pm.  Dr. Greg arrived onsite with #1 daughter who is growing up really fast! 
NOAA's Team arrives with cage, and the process for planning her capture is on it's way.  The team used crowding boards to get RH92 Nalani to move her safely into the cage.  She was transported to NOAA facility in an unmarked  NOAA truck.  Well done Team NOAA!
And thank you Team Billand for sharing and updating us on RH92 Nalani!

UM and UU#3

UU#2 & UU#1

RIP foraging

RH76 Kala

RH32 ka'ale 

RH92 Nalani Hooked 

December 1, 2019 (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Kimo & I went out in the morning to check the point, big waves and I got another mission, while we were on our way out, to look for a possible seal of concern.

The girls pools (Nihoa & BG) were covered in water and upside down Hawaiian Snow.

On Main Beach RN58 Luana was hauled out on the coral beach sleeping. Some visitors were really impressed with how big she is. Kimo hadn't seen her for a while and also thought she looked very big. She's definitely a full adult size but even to me she looked very long. 

Back on this side I check our front beach and found RW02 PVKauai freshly hauled out up near the Naupaka line. He may have overnighted cause there were some wallows in crushed Morning Glory.

More tomorrow