MonkSealMania.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 28, 2012

1-28-2012 Team Billand and Clay on the Westside

Kermit @ White Plains

Kermit and seal sand sculpture

Kermit and T15 hanging out... busy beach day

T15 - Making himself right at home

Did someone call me?

No, I must have been dreaming

1-27-2012 DB's Dailies:Kaiwi&Irma@SC, Buster@BH, T15M&Kermit@WP, R5AY@Mokuleia, 2AW@Trks

I was on the road early , as usual, but it would be 0810 before I ever encountered a critter. Actually, Gayle was bummed because she had been sitting at Spitting Cave for a half and hour, when I walked up to join her, and in less that 5 seconds of my arrival there were Kaiwi (RK96), and Irma (R010) in separate locations at Spitting Cave. It's about time I won one, usually its Gayle who does all the finding. Kaiwi would be in our lives for maybe 30 seconds. We saw only the single up, and then she disappeared for the day. Irma has remained all day. She was still doing 7 minute dives on my 1400 SC check.

While on the subject of Kaiwi, Dera sent a map of Kaiwi's activities last night. Apparently she had been in, and maybe even hauled out in Hanauma Bay late last night. Just because of that data, I did a thorough Hanauma Bay check, mid day, even venturing down to Toilet Bowl. Unfortunately, I have nothing to report except sore knees. I also checked the "secret cove" at Lanai Lookout (only me, June and a million scuba divers know about it). Alas, it too was Monk Seal free.

At 1331 on my 3rd look at Blowhole, I found Buster (RV08) down in the cove on the Sandy Beach side of the lookout. It was the same location as yesterday, but today he was better hidden from the public.

Despite lots of hours at Makai Pier, I found nobody on Rabbit Island today.

Team Billand checked in at 0710 to report an overnighted T15M, fronting #1708, at White Plains.

At 0954 the reported that Kermit (R012) had hauled out just down the beach, fronting #1706, White Plains.

At 1326 they called again with the report of a 50% molted 2AW at Tracks.

Dana checked in at 0844 to advise that volunteer Bonnie had found R5AY behind the Polo Field, in Mokuleia.

Irma @ Spitting Cave

Buster @ Blow hole

Kermit @ White Plains

Pretty adorable Kermit

T15M aka Sharkbite

Just shows you this animals ability to survive.... not one but two shark attacks

Sharkbites lack of right flipper

2AW @ Tracks

Thursday, January 26, 2012

1-26-2012 DB's Dailies and lots more!

At 0705 I found an animal tucked up against the Right Middle Cliff area, on Rabbit Island. Though I had not one single shred of evidence, I called NOAA personnel to get the ball rolling, since I had a strong feeling that it was Kolohe. When they got out there at 0940 they confirmed that it was in fact Kolohe (RW22), and the de-hooking operation occurred at 1017. Thank you from the bottom of my little ,bald heart !! The 17 day ordeal is finally over.

At 0917 posse member Kathy called to report an animal at Spitting Cave. After the RI operation ended I went to SC and after several ups, I finally confirmed the Irma (R010) ID. To my complete surprise I even managed to get a shot of her N3 bleach.

Check out Zeeny's video of Irma at SC. ( I watched this a couple of times and watching the waves, well I felt a little sea sick.... just a teenie bit) Thanks Zeeny

Sandy Beach lifeguard posse member Donovan called at 1441 to advise that an animal near Blowhole had been reported. When I arrived at 1450 I found Buster (RV08) snoozin' in the cove on the Sandy Beach side of the Blowhole Lookout. The ID was made by his V08 tag. This is a favorite hangout of his. Though the evidence is purely circumstantial I believe we have an answer to yesterday's Tako eater at Lanai Lookout, which is but a few flipper flaps away. I'd put a cat on it .

At 0715 Team Billand reported T15M fronting #1708, White Plains.

At 1041 the Billands called again with the report of Benny (RE74) mid beach at Makaha. He would depart at 1100.

At 1203 Team Billand called again to advise that Kermit (R012) was now within the cordon with T15M at White Plains.

An already pretty darned good day got even better with a call from my very most favorite Molokai resident, Diane Pike. She reported that Duke (RA12) was with her today, and was sporting his new cell tag. Back when I found him at RI with a new Cookie Cutter wound I wondered if he might not have done a Molokai mission. This pretty much answers the question for me. Thank you Diane !!!