March 3, 2023 Friday's Dailies

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

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 12:00 to 1:20 and there were five seals on island today.

Out on the rock flats on the Lanikai end of the island were two seals close together:

Adult Female 1: adult size, light tan female belly, unsure about tags. She never turned over get a lateral or dorsal view. 

Adult Male 1: adult size, mottled gray male belly and unsure about tags.

In a group between Middle Cliff and 3BS were three seals close together:

Subadult Male: subadult size, light tannish gray male belly and unsure about tags. He was almost entirely hidden behind A/F 2.

Adult Female 2: adult size, tannish gray female belly and not sure about tags.

Adult Male 2: adult size, light grayish tan male belly and two red tags.

Team R&B noticed a seal hauling up on shore from afar. It was just before 10 am and they called the hotline. They drove over to the site, and the tourist there were excited trying to go closer to the seal who was RH32 Kaale. Team R&B had to educate them to move back, Kaale was very aware of all the people. One guy came flying towards him with his go-pro. They called out to him to move further away. They waited around and spoke with a local guy who was really understanding and respected Kaale's space.

Finally a volunteer arrived and put up sign and interestingly the tourist left. Team R&B thanked Luana the volunteer for coming out.

Next they went to check another area where there were two seals on shore. There were signs up with a

volunteer on site. There was RL12 Aukai and RG28 Lefty together resting on shore.

They walked over to secrets to see if there were any seals. Sure enough but today there was one single male, RK72 Kekoa. There were two signs on the Waianae side of the cover. However there was nothing by the entrance where people arrive. So they moved the two signs and placed them there.

At another west side location they found RP30 Puka on the rocks joined by R3CU.  They got a good view of R3CU's shark bite scar on his chest. Happy he survived that one. 

RP30 was with him on high rocks both resting. Nice to see peaceful seals being seals without being disturbed.

Rabbit Island

RH32

RG28

RL12

Aukai and Lefty

RK72

RP30

R3CU

Puka and R3CU

March 2, 2023 Thursday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you Team R&B💕 and a couple of posse pals.

I had the opportunity to visit the pupping site today with some wonderful friends. We made a day of it checking in on Kaimana and PO1. What I wasn't expecting was seeing a total of six seals today. When we arrived a volunteer was on site but had to leave with no replacement, so the four of us provided outreach for a couple of hours. 

We saw RQ64 Laki resting behind a rock between her and Kaimana and pup. She has a really old coat and looks small with lots of dings. 

RJ58 Kaimana and PO1 had a nursing session when we arrived and went into snooze mode. There wasn't much activity and mom is look thin, probably tired too. PO1's belly is starting to turn reddish brown and muzzle is getting lighter.

Higher up on shore was RK80 who is looking healthy and clean. She probably arrived right before we arrived and was on the move right before we headed out.

And then much to our joy we found RH48 LeiOla and PO2. The pup had just finished nursing when we first spotted them. Mom moved down a bit and the kid had to conquer getting over a rock. It took a little bit but made it and the two moved closer to the water. We never saw them enter the water just lots of snoozing.

As a side note I did find another seal rock that was even more convincing than the one on Rabbit Island.

Also as we were leaving we saw a golden plover, a group of zebra finches and a pair of saffron finches.

Team R&B were checking out beaches when they spotted Kaale RH32 on shore from afar. It didn't take but a minute for the fan club to arrive. They called the hotline and hurried over to the site. When they arrived there was a second seal hauling up. It was R3CU and he joined Kaale, the two just hung out resting. Team R&B stayed for a while made sure they were settled in and then left.

Then they headed over to another west side location and to their shock they found five seals.

RP30 Puka was up on high rocks and his brother RM31 Kai was at seal inlet.

Then there was RK72 Kekoa Alii on the rocks.  Over to the water front rocks was RL70 Leina. All the way over to the next cove was RL08.

RJ58 & PO1

RQ64

K80

RH48 po2

RH32 hauling out surrounded by people

R3CU

R3CU & RH32

RP30

RM31

RK72

RL70

RL08

March 01 2023

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

The first critters they came across today were two ducks, and one had a hurt leg. They both took a rest on the grass then took off.

Then they were treated to a pod of dolphins having a great time. They actually spotted a white dolphin!

They spotted a seal landing at tracks from afar. The seal settled in so they headed over to find RH32 Kaale. They called the hotline.

Shortly after they spotted a second seal coming in. The seal approached Kaale, and Team R&B were able to ID R3CU.  They advised the people on the beach to stay back and let the seal come out of the water.

There was a conversation with one of the locals that did not go so well. Team R&B did their best to handle the situation. They called the hotline and left the area.

When they arrived at the next stop there were a few signs up. One of the signs was not in a good location, so after the seal passed it they made adjustments.

They were able to ID RL08 and called the hotline. The hotline was aware he was there.

Their last stop was at paradise cove and thank goodness a volunteer was on site. There were two seals in a SRA.  There was RG28 Lefty and RL12 Aukai with a lot of people in the area. There were folks chasing after the turtles.  So sad I wish there was a better way to educate folks.

ducks

dolphins

there is a white dolphin

RH32

R3CU

Kaale and Lefty

RL08

RL12 & RG28

RG28