MonkSealMania.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

We did our hike to Ka’ena Pt from the Waianae side today.

Our first find was RW08 “Kerby”, he still has his camera on. He was documented and NOAA was notified. Following on I saw a seal swimming in KPt direction, but we got side tracked by divers far out and lost sight of the seal.

At the point RO40 “Ka’ena” was at the end of the Runway and later moved to his pool.

The surprise was finding R303 “BG” in her pool. That is one very pregnant seal!

On our way, out we met Tracy and the field group. She told us that, she agreed that “Kerby” wasn’t in a good location to try to retrieve the camera or to have his vaccine.

He was in the same place when we hiked out.

We stopped in Maili, saw a foraging seal, but weren’t able to ID it.

It was one of those BEAUTIFUL days in paradise, the ocean was all shades of greens and turquoises, very calm, we could see reefs under water till far, far way.

We even got to see 2 whales blowing, then doing a simultaneous dive.

Albatrosses chicks are growing fast, Shearwaters are already nesting everywhere

On my way home I stopped to check on a seal at Army Beach Mokuleia and found R8HY, nice to see the little guy back.

Little chicky

R8HY

R303

RO40 Ka'ena

RW08 Kerby

4/26/2017 DB's Dailies:

It was me and da' birds on Rabbit Island today. That is until 1257 when the day got really interesting. On a pan I found a very chubby specimen just hauling out fronting 1BS. Though I suspected early on, it was not until I got home to check my files that I could actually confirm that SADIE (RB12) is back !!! As you can see from photos the girl is a load. She is penciled in for a 5-13-17 due date. Based on her behavior in past years, I'd say she is right on schedule.

At 0730 Team Billand reported RN14 & Lei Ola foraging off shore of Maili. RN14 would depart, but Lei Ola would haul out at 0827.

At 1038 they would report Ka'ale (RH32) & an U/U forgaing off shore of Campbell Industrial Park.

Lesley reported Kerby (RW08) on the west side of KP trail, Ka'ena (RO40) & BG (R303) at the point, and on her journey home reported R8HY at Mokuleia. Check the blog in the morning for her shots.

Shots from one of Donna's kayak posse showed 2 UU on Moku Nui today. There just wasn't enough info to confirm an ID.

2 U/U

Sadie

LOOK OUT - Wide load ahead!

Lei Ola

Lei Ola & RN14

RN14

Ka'ale

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

4/25/2017 In Addition an Update from Lesley

I found R5AY "Honey Girl" past the river @ Pounders. I have been hearing and reading a lot about her pregnancy and that she's about to give birth at any moment. Sorry to say but I don't agree. She's fat healthy and green. I have seen her give birth twice, and been with er on 2 other occasions the day before giving birth. She gets BIG, today I saw her neck, a dip on her side and a straight line from the top of her back to her tail. Perhaps I'm wrong...

Signs had just been put up, volunteer was leaving and another was on its way.

Stopped at other spots then arriving @ Sunset I saw the crowed. Dozens of Chinese tourist literally on top of R016 "Right Spot". As I approached an older lady was making her way to pet the seal!!. A nice tourist, who had been enjoying beachtime with her gamily helped me and we made the crowd step back. A tour guide also came to help. We did an imaginary line. Called the hotlined an asked them to PLEASE send a volunteer and signs (more needed than for R5AY).

I was told by a local family that was there yesterday that "Right Spot" is 11 months pregnant, information given by lady that was there taking care... you can judge by pic that it isn't so.

Honey Girl looks healthy... but...???

Right Spot being surrounded by a rather large group

4/25/2017 DB's Dailies:

At 0918 the Rabbit Island day would begin with RG32 in Seal Rock Inlet.

He would be joined at 0938 by Kekoa (RK72) and at the same time Kawena (RH36) came out of her hiding place in the grass and entered SRI to join them. All 3 would enter the water at 0950.

At 1201 what would prove to be Benny (RE74) hauled out of Seal Rock Inlet. That came as a complete shock. Benny had last been seen by the Billands at Paradise Cove on 4-18-17. His last visit to Rabbit Island had been 7-29-16.

Kekoa would haul out to join him. they had words and Kekoa departed, hauling out to Rocky Right Beach for the rest of the day.

At 1302 RG32 hauled out and galumphed to join Benny, who met him halfway. They would enter the water together for a play session at 1315. I got periodic glimpses of them as played, but utltimately lost them.

I happened to look to my right from Makai Pier at 1457 I saw two animals on the beach at Kaupo Beach Park. When I got there 1503 I confirmed the pair as Benny (RE74) & RG32. The Hotline was advised.

At 1219 Team Billand found Lei Ola (RH48) at Maili.

They would report Kolohe (RW22) at Maili at 1258, and advised that RIP (RR70) had stopped by at 1420

Lesley called at 1457 to advise that she was in the presence of R5AY at Pounders, Laie.

She also advised that she had seen Right Spot (R016) at Sunset Beach.

A late afternoon text from Posse member Vivki Hangai brought a couple of shots of Holokai (RG40) at the Keiki Pook, Turtle Bay.

Benny & Kekoa