MonkSealMania.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

1/28/2015 DB's Dailies: Kainoa@RI, RW02@Keaau's, Haupu@Nimitz Pavilion, RK36@Aki's Beach, Makaha

Once again the only critter in the SE quadrant was Kainoa (RN04) on Rabbit Island. I had been at the pier since 0830, with nobody in sight, but at 1036 up popped a little head in the Morning Glory, 50 ft left of IBS, looked around and then back down. A few minutes later Kainoa galumphed out of the Morning Glory and moved down to the water line where he remained the rest of the day.

Despite rounds through the rest of the quadrant by Melanie & myself, Kainoa would be the only find.

At 0839 the Billands received word of an animal, initially said to be at Makua, but would later change to Keaau’s . Debbie responded, and the Billands would later confirm the animal as RW02, at 1333.

At 0927 George the surfer called the Billands reporting a swimming head off shore of Nimitz Cottages. Haupu (RB24) would haul out fronting #1817, Nimitz Pavilion, at 1025. Jean would report Haupu’s departure ate 1238.

At 1428 Team Billand reported RK36 at Aki’s Beach, Makaha,

Kainoa

Haupu at Nimitz

RK36 at Makaha

RW02 at Keaau's he's looking thin

silly seal sleeping in mid air

1/28/2015 DB's Dailies: Kainoa@RI, Pohaku@Maili Pt., R5AY@Malaekahana, KC@Kaaawa, Haupu@Nimitz Cottages, RW02&Kolohe@Makaha, Ua Malie@Kawela

It would be 0926 before I found my first critter. It would prove to be Kainoa (RN04), snoozin’ at the log, 40 ft left of 1BS on Rabbit Island. He would later move down to cool off, and was my only find of the day. Gayle & Diane T., combed the quadrant but alas found nobody.

At 0657 Team Billand called to advise of Pohaku (RO28) at Maili Point.

At 1037 Dana checked in advising that she had sent photos from Sandy Miller & Irene Theofanis, of an animal in Kaaawa . Photo analysis showed the animal to be KC (RK28). This is her first sighting back on Oahu, after having gone to Kauai for a birth this summer. She was last documented by Val Bloy on Kauai, on 10-10-15. (unless Val has the ability to see into the future and report back to our current day, I will assume KC was last seen October 2014 :-) She is the usual mass of scars, and has added a new wound, a healing CC wound to the left side of her head, just above the left eye. It was not there on Val’s shots.

During the same call Dana advised that R5AY was said to be at Malaekahana. A later conversation with Diane G., provided word that R5AY had been reported there yesterday, I’m unaware of any photo proof. Don Porter was told this morning that an animal was still there. Awaiting further word.

Dana forwarded a shot from Scott Sundby of what I believe to be Ua Malie (RT10), at Kawela Bay, though I’m hesitant to base an ID on a single marker. ????? At 1118 advised of a call about an animal at Nimitz Cottages.

At 1318 they confirmed the Haupu (RB24) fronting the Nimitz Pavilion. Bev reported Haupu’s departure at 1745.

At 1337 the Billands received a Hotline call about an animal in Makaha. Debbie intially responded , and at 1428 advised that there were two animals, but positive ID could be gotten. The Billands confirmed Kolohe (RW22) at 1553. At 1615 they got the RW02 ID. A witness said there had initially been 3, but one departed.

In the Yesterday’s News department, Ken Tingman sent shots of Ka’ena (RO40) & Luana (RN58) at Ka’ena Point.

Kainoa

KC visiting Kaaawa.... did you know KC stands for Kaaawa Critter :-)

Ua' Mali at Kawela Bay

Haupu at Nimitz Cottages

Kolohe and RW02 at Makaha

Pohaku

RW02

Look ma no cavities?

1/28/2015 Yesterday's News from Ka'ena Point

thank you Ken for sharing

Ka'ena

Luana and Ka'ena

this little one has no problem hanging out with the big boys

Monday, January 26, 2015

1/26/2015 DB's Dailies: RIP, Pohaku, Benny & Haupu @ Nanakuli, Kolohe @ Maili Pt, Rocky @ Wind Sock, Team Billand

Gayle & I combed the quadrant and alas.... it was a Nobody/Nowhere day , here in the SE quadrant, to include a Monk Seal free, Rabbit Island, but that was of no consequence, because it was a big day on the westside.

At 0850 Team Billand called, to advise that Tracy had called them to say NOAA was on the way with the four seals. The release took place in Nanakuli, starting at 1044. First RIP (RR70) with new transmitter & LHF R76 tag, who headed east, then Pohaku (RO28) 2nd. She would depart to the west.

The Benny (RE74) was next. He too headed west. Last but not least Haupu (RB24) was released and headed east. Benny was heard to utter his usual WTF as he departed. Dr. Charles was correct in his blog comment the other day. What Benny meant was, “We Thank Fisheries !!” Thanks crew........... Ya’ Done Good !!! Another BIG day in the monk seal world !!!

At 1255 Team Billand found Kolohe (RW22) at Maili Point. He had been MIA from his stay at Rabbit Island since 1-20-15.

At 1422 the Billands found Rocky (RH58), once again, at Wind Sock, Nimitz Beach. They reported her departure at 1758.

Benny upon release... back up bub... I am out of here!