February 4, 2024 Sunday's Dailies

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

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 1:45 to 3:05 and there were six seals seen during that time.

Almost directly down from 1BS were two seals a short distance apart:

Unknown Adult 1: adult size, lighter ventral, at least one red tag. She was unable to determine its sex.

Adult Male: adult size, mottle make belly, unsure about tags. This seal appears to have a small scar on his lower lip which suggest it might be RK24.

About 50 feet Makapuu side of 1BS was Unknown Adult 2: adult size, gray ventral which in some views looked like it was a female, and other views a male. This seal appeared to have a major scar on its lower lip. This seal entered the water about 2:30 and was not seen again.

Between 3BS and SRI were three seals:

Sub-adult Female: sub-adult size, mottled yellowish brown female belly and two red tags.

Adult Female: adult to sub-adult size, light female belly with tanner chest with line scar on right mid chest, unsure about tags.

Juvenile Female: started part way up the dunes and later moved down to the beach. Juvenile size, light yellow female belly, unsure about tags.

As usual Team R&B started their day early and at the bay. There were already lots of people out and about in the area. They spotted Kala RH76 alone moving about trying to find herself a comfy spot for her fat okole.  

Then they noticed at the other end was Kaale RH32. He didn't show them much and did move a whole lot. His butt was facing them as he was resting on the rocks.

At another west side location they spotted a large male. He was alone resting on the rocks. They ID'd RL08 also known as "Bam Bam Square Pants". It was nice to see him again on the west side, looking big and healthy.

Team R&B got a call from a friend letting them know a seal was in

front of her home.  They hurried over and was thrilled to see R604. She is another female looking quite plump.

From there they decided to check out the Nimitz area. They found Mr. Kawika R407 alone on Kermit's Reef.  They met up with a volunteer who was further down. They were concerned about two dogs with the owners, who tied up the male dog but the female was roaming free.  Team R&B did speak with some of the fishers out there to be careful of the seal. They were great and very respectful.

They stayed in the area and kept exploring and sure enough spotted another seal a ways down.

A volunteer was on site. The seal was RL12 Aukai, looking fat and beautiful.  Team R&B were happy she left plains since there are so many people on the beach, after all "mama to be" needs her rest.

Last stop was at yoks where they spent a couple of hours watching for whale.  They happened to go further and to their shock they found a huge turtle. Very healthy and just relaxing.

Rabbit Island

RH76

RH32

RL08

R604

R407

RL12

whale

honu

February 3, 2024 Saturday's Dailies

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

They started their day at the bay, there they spotted a seal hiding in a pond. It made its way to the upper rocks, and that's when they realized it was RL20 Kalua.  They hadn't seen him in a while so they were happy to find the little bugga. He is looking fine, no new markers to report.

They got word of a large seal on shore at plains.  They headed over and there was an Access Surf  event taking place.  The fat seal, who was the lovely RL12 Aukai was in the center of a zone that was set up by the lifeguards.  Big Mahalo to the lifeguards for always looking out for the seals. 

Team R&B called the hotline to report and mentioned a volunteer was needed.

They headed over to Nimitz looking for other seals. The beaches were packed. They spotted a couple of

kids throwing rocks in a pond, with mom and dad on shore watching.  Team R&B walked over and at the end of the reef was R407 Kawika.

They ended their day by heading back to the bay. This time Mr. Kaale RH32 was alone and snoozing. Seems RL20 Kalua left, who knows if they hung out together.  Kaale's applied N7 bleach was visible.

One of the workers in the area noticed the bleach numbers on the seals and asked when did the seals get painted. (lol).  Team R&B took the time and explained the process.

RL20

RL12

R407

RH32

February 2, 2024 Friday's Dailies

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

Marilyn got a quick look at Rabbit Island due to the wind and surf she did not stay long.  She set up the scope for a few minutes did see two seals between the 3BS and SRI. She suspects they were the Unknown Adult and Juvenile Female that were there on Wednesday. 

Marilyn did not set up the camera so there are no photos from today.

Tammy was at Ka'ena Point with Lesley today.  They came across five seals today not to mention the Albatross chicks are hatching.

Their first find was R330 Squinty. Down the beach they saw another seal haul out. They ID'd RW02 PvKauai.  While watching the two of them rest peacefully, a third seal hauled out.  It turned out to be RL08 "BamBam Square pants" born on Kauai.

Out at the point they found RL47 Kamakana was on the coral. Then there was a seal relaxing in the water, they never saw it's gender but did see it had one tag. It is being reported as an Unidentified Unknown.

Team R&B started at the bay and spotted Miss Kala RH76. Her applied bleach N77 was visible and she was hauled up on her zen rock garden and settled in.  

Next was RH32 Kaale, who looks a little thinner than usual. He went up to Kala and the two of them went to sleep.

While watching over the two, an unleashed dog approached the area where Team R&B were and started barking at them. Standing still to not startle the dog, who is hapai and ready to pop.  They warned a man walking by about the dog. Eventually they snuck around and lost site of the pregnant dog.

They hung out for a bit to make sure the seals were okay, which allowed them to also see some whales.

Heading out and stopping at Kermits Reef, they found R407 Kawika. He was alone and looking good.

A plover flew over for a quick visit.  As they were taking photos a woman walked right up to R407. She does not appear to be anyone from NOAA or any other agency, just someone wanting to get her photo for social media.

Last stop at the cliffs, Team R&B were watching for whales. They didn't see any in this area but the waves were beautiful and there were some brave surfers out there.

They happen to look to the left and saw some movement, it was a seal! It took a little time getting up on the rocks filled with lots of driftwood.

There was RL70 Leina who had bulldozed her way through the driftwood, even tossed some in the air with her snout. She moved the driftwood over and made a bed, so cool to see her setting this all up.

R330

RL08

RL47

UU

RW02

RH76

RH32

Kala and Kaale

whales

R407

RL70

February 1, 2024 Thursday's Dailies

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

Team R&B had a short day, since the had appointments.

Their first find of the day was the lovely RH48 Lei Ola. At first they didn't recognize her, until they spotted the H on her tag.  They went around to view her right side and sure enough there was her applied bleach. They had never seen her out at this location before so they were surprised. Then they realized they hadn't seen her on sand, usually when they see her she's on the rocks.

They went searching around looking for Aukai RL12, but they never saw her today. They did see a seal hauling up on the rocks, at a spot they had already checked out.  They went back to look and there was R407 Kawika. His line scar on the top of his head was visible, his signature bleach on his side, scar on his left eye and no tags confirmed his ID. They also noted his cc scar on top of his back, this guy has plenty markings.

They had wondered if he was getting some rest after a possible encounter with Lei Ola. No way of knowing but they both looked tired and relaxed.  Lei Ola was about a mile away from him needing her alone time.

RH48 Lei Ola

R407 Kawika