03/07/2021 Monday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Marilyn and Team R&B💕   ALSO I posted a link to NOAA's Partner in the Spotlight in the next post. Make sure you click on the link and read the whole story. Congratulations to our pal Diane on Molokai! 

Marilyn checked out a few east side spots this morning. At one location she bumped into Gamma Gayle and there were two seals. Our beloved RK96 Kaiwi and RG32 (male born on Molokai 2015).  RH32 has been a regular visitor to Rabbit Island so it was a treat for Marilyn to see him without looking through a scope.

RG32 was identified by the scar above and across his right eye, his gray male belly and his G33 tag. There was a lot of interaction between RG32 and Kaiwi. She didn't seem to want him around and he didn't take the hint. Kaiwi was identified by the small natural bleach on her head, female belly and her eroded K96 tag.

Marilyn then viewed Rabbit Island from 1:35 to 3:00 pm and there was only one seal on island today.

Between the 3BS and SRI was a S/M: a larger juvenile to subadult size, light gray male belly and two red tags. There may be a natural bleach on one of the rear flippers but it could have been sand. 

Team R&B started their morning by seeing lots of whales putting on quite a show for them.

After watching the whales they went over to the outfall before their appointment. They spotted RH32 Kaale and who is the unknown with the green snout. He had them going for a while!

They also spotted Kekoa Alii RK72 foraging in the same area.

They hurried over to a site after they got a text from a friend that there

was a seal close by.  When they got to the site there was RL20 Kalua hauled up on the rocks alone.

They did a recheck in the afternoon and RL20 was still on the rocks.

The last find of the day was their little handsome RP84. Pe'ekai was on the rocks basking in the sun. He looked like he was posing for next years calendar.  He was alone enjoying a peaceful siesta.

RG32

RG32 and Kaiwi

RK96 Kaiwi

Rabbit Island

Whales

Kaale RH32

RK72 Kekoa Alii

RL20 Kalua

Pe'ekai RP84

2021 Partner in the Spotlight: Diane Pike

Congratulations to Diane!  She has been a wonderful friend to many of us and this recognition is well deserved.  I am fortunate to have known her since 2009 and can call her my friend!!!

2021 Partner in the Spotlight: Diane Pike: In 2021, we recognized partner Diane Pike for expanding and enhancing recovery of Hawaiian monk seals—one of our most imperiled marine species.

03/06/2022 Sundays Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team R&B💕

They started their day at the outfall and spotted two seals foraging. They were able to make one ID of Kekoa Alii RK72.  The was an unidentified unknown U/U in and out of the outfall. It had a beautiful green face and at one point was near a snorkeler. They just couldn't make a positive ID.

Team R&B received a text that a seal had just hauled out at a busy

popular beach.  When they arrived they were shocked to see people with children next to the seal. They quickly advised them to give the seal some room. The seal was RG28 Lefty.  They called the hotline and waited around since the beach was packed.  

When the volunteer arrived they informed her who the seal was. Since she had never met RG28 before they took the time to point out his markers for an ID.

Arriving at Kahe they spot a big seal with a scar on the right side of his face. It was Kekoa Alii RK72 on the rocks.  While they were looking around the area for more seals, they happened to catch Kekoa Alii sliding off the rocks into the water, and then he was gone.

At another west side location they found their boy RP84 Pe'ekai.  He was alone snoozing on lower rocks on a small patch of sand.  So Team R&B had seen Pe'ekai for 49 straight days until yesterday when he was MIA.  No big deal but I know the feeling of worrying, so I am sure they were relieved to find him today. 

From a distance they noticed a slither of a seal on the rocks. They walked out to get a closer look and there was the lovely RL70 Leina.  She rolled right, then left and stuck her snout into the little pond blowing bubbles. Her tags were visible for a minute and the scar on her neck was visible.

Team R&B did not stay for long as there were people and their dogs roaming around the area.

Kekoa Alii

U/U

Lefty RG28

RK72 Kekoa Alii

Pe'ekai

RL70 Leina

03/05/2022 Saturday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Posse pal Justin T, Marilyn and Team R&B💕

Posse pal Justin T. saw 2 monk seals on Oahu in an very secluded undisclosed spot: RK24 Wawamalu - RK96 Kaiwi's pup born 4/23/2018 - identified by his flipper tag K24 and also his little sister RM26 Nohea -  RK96 Kaiwi's pup born 4/6/2020 - identified by her flipper tags M26 & M27. He called the hotline to report signs of no fishing tackle or recent injury.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 10:15 to 11:40 and there was only one seal on island today.

About 40 feet Makapuu side of the 3BS next to the waterfront rocks was an U/M: probably subadult size, grayish male belly and unsure about tags. This is likely the same U/M Marilyn saw yesterday. 

Team R&B made a stop at the outfall before picking up junior sealette.  They spotted a seal foraging right to left and out of the outfall. They determined it was RH32 Kaale at his old stomping grounds.

Next on the west side at one of the popular beaches they found Kekoa Alii RK72.  He hauled up on the rocks. They watched over him and got to see some cool birds.  Posse pal Amy arrived and took over for them.

They stopped at Kahe and saw a big seal snoozing on the rocks. They ID'd it was RN14 Kalani.

They were talking over making the Ka'ena West trek when Barb miss stepped out of the car and went down hard. GEESH !!!!! 

Be careful out there !!! She for sure got bumps and bruises and left some blood at the site. She thinks it was a 12 point fall.  I say no points no more falls!!  

Then to top it off she and junior sealette made the hike, and got skunked. No whales, no dolphins, no seals.  

They ended their day with a beautiful sunset.

M26/27 Nohea tags

RK24 and M26

Rabbit Island  unknown male

RH32 Kaale

Kekoa Alii RK72

Cool Birds

Kalani RN14

Sunset