MonkSealMania.blogspot.com

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

1-29-2013 Kaiwi,Aukai,Kolohe&Mojo@RI, Buster@SB, Makaiwi,M&M@WP, T21M@Kualoa, R5AY@Hauula, Pohaku@PC, Duke@Molokai

At 0708 I found what would prove to be Kaiwi (RK96), 50 ft right of 3BS on Rabbit Island. Mark would get an N19 bleach and girdle across her posterior dorsal (butt).

At 0711 photo tour posse member, Alex called to advise of 2 animals swimming in near shore waters at the Blowhole end of Sandy Beach. While I found nobody when I arrived, I went to the far east end of SB, and there I found Buster (RV08) newly hauled out. Witnesses said there had been a 2nd animal but it continued to swim to the east. I cordoned off Buster and he remained all day. He would depart at 1915.

From the Makapuu Overview, at 0841 I found what would prove to be Mojo (RI17), partially visible at Rocky Right Beach. The ID would later be confirmed by Mark.

At 0848 I found Aukai (RL12), 100 ft right of 3BS. Aukai had a problem today. NOAA has forebidden my commenting , due to investigation, and one must be a good little team player, must'n one. Know that Aukai is healthy and well. Thank you to Tracy, Mark, Sean, Jesse & Michelle for the response. We just keep our fingers crossed that it all plays out....

When I got back to the pier at 0848 I found Kaiwi and Kolohe (RW22) playing off shore of 3BS. Kaiwi would haul out to 50 ft right of 3BS. Kolohe would haul out to Rocky Right Beach, to join Mojo. Mark would later get an "N33" on Kolohe.

Team Billand called at 0707 to report Makaiwi (R4DF) and M&M (R020) at #1707 White Plains. Makaiwi would depart at 1815.

At 0932 Dana called to advise of animals at Kualoa and Hauula. At 1105 Sean confirmed the R5AY ID at Hauula. Diga sent much appreciated photos.

At 1340 Diga confirmed the T21M ID on the animal at Kualoa. Once again, thank you Diga for the shots, and just being there.....again !

At 1010 Team Billand reported Pohaku (RO28) at Paradise Cove.

Diane Pike called at 1107 with the happy news that she had seen Duke (RA12) on Molokai today, in the company of 8 other animals. Thank you Diane for the shots!!

Buster at Sandy's

Duke with his mob of monks on Molokai

Duke in the middle showing his red tag showing

Maka'iwi early morning light

anyone have any shades?

Pohaku RO28

she's looking very full figured

MM high tail !

T21 at Kualoa starting his molt

Monday, January 28, 2013

1-28-2013 DB's Dailies: Buster,Kaiwi&Kolohe@RI, Makaiwi@WP, RL42@Keaau Bridge, KC@Kahuku, Kerby@Maili Pt

At 0719 I found what would prove to be Kaiwi (RK96) well up into the grass, right of 3BS on Rabbit Island. It would take until 1227 but she finally showed me her RHF natural bleach. She remained all day.

At 0830 I found Kolohe (RW22) on the water front rocks, right of Seal Rock Inlet. He had been MIA since 1-14-13. He snoozed away the day.

At 1000 a 100% molted Buster (RV08) hauled out to 1BS on RI. He spent the rainy day snoozin' in the Morning Glory.

At 0742 Team Billand reported Makaiwi (R4DF) , once again at #1707, White Plains.

At 1142 they called to say that they had found RL42 at the Keaau Bridge at 1000.

Dana called at 1206 with the report of an animal in Kahuku. A photo from Ireme Theofani confirmed the KC (RK28) ID.

At 1206 the Billands found Kerby (RW08) at Maili Point.

Team Billand called at 1725 to report the arrival of M&M (R020) to #1707 White Plains. As she arrived, Makaiwi departed.

Vera Cober sent along a shot from yesterday's Rocky (RH58 ) visit to Iroquois Pt.

Sean Guerin sent a shot of Right Spot, after he gave her a new "N6" bleach.

CLASSIC KC shot..... clearly showing her signature cookie cutter shark scars.

Rocky @ Iroquois

Right Spot with her new bleach job N6

Ms Maka'iwi

Little RL42

Kerby blending in with the rocks

MM and Maka'iwi

Sunday, January 27, 2013

1-27-2013 Welcome Back Whales

Today there was the first Welcome Back Whales Day, held at Turtle Bay, put on by the North Shore Ocean Education Coalition. This small group is a partnership of many different organizations and businesses. They are working hard to raise awareness for the health and wellness of the ocean, while placing the importance on educating the keiki. I look forward to hearing more about their successes.

1-27-2013 Buster&U/U@RI, Makaiwi@WP, Pohaku@GR, Rocky@IRQ

It was a completely miserable day at Makai Pier today. While the rest of the world had 15-20 mph wind, the end of the pier was 47 mph, due to SW winds through the Makapuu Notch. It was crankin' !! That naturally made Rabbit Island observations difficult. On my first look I found what turned out to be Buster (RV08) just to the right of 1BS. When I got back at 0910 he was no longer there, however at 1031 he hauled out 40 ft left of 1BS, where he spent the rest of the day. He is 95% molted.

On a routine pan , at 0959 I became aware of an U/U out on the left end flats. I was never able to get an ID on this animal. I did see red tags, and just the fringes of what might have been a juvenile ventral side, but conditions and lack of movement made an ID impossible.

In conversations with the Billands on the west side and Cianna on the North Shore , it sounded pretty crappy everywhere.

At 0712 Team Billand checked in with the report of Makaiwi (R4DF) at #1707, White Plains.

At 1120 they reported Pohaku (RO28) at Guard Rails Beach.

At 1236 the Billands called to advise that they had gotten a call from Iroquois Point Security reporting an animal there. They called Clay...Clay called Vera... and Vera called me with confirmation of Rocky (RH58).

Team Billand reported Benny (RE74) at Maili Pt, at 1755.

Zeeny sent shots of Temp 412 (N32) at what appears to be Guard Rails Beach yesterday. As previously reported guys got too close to her and one of them hit her with rocks. Shots show some blood on her hind flipper on departure, probably having nothing to do with the encounter. The critters are always getting their flippers dinged.

Temp 412 N32