2/24/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Gayle, Marilyn and Lesley. Since Lesley and Marilyn did the Ka'ena Point trek both of their photos are included in dailies part 2.

Team Billand out at a Leeward Beach saw two seals off shore fighting/playing. The larger of the two was Kekoa RK72.  The smaller of the two came in to lower rocks, at first they didn't recognize the critter but upon closer examination, well needless to say Barbara was delighted to ID Kaale RH32.  He is looking good, great condition, coat nice and spotless, but still a little butt head. 

Kekoa RK72 came in and sniffed at Kaale, turned and went around to the right. Little Kaale went over to Kekoa, checked him out then dives in small pond near by and rolls around. The little rascal decides to go and head butt Kekoa and is then set straight. Kaale comes out of the pond head butts Kekoa again and goes to the other side of Kekoa and both settle in after a few words. 

A third seal is spotted on the lower rocks, tags showing making it easy to ID Lei Ola RH48. The boys are to her right, far away, so she was able to get some rest.  And to add to Team Billand's day their friendly Aflac duck showed up again.

Team Billand was on their way to see family when they got a text from their friend Deb saying there was a seal on shore on a west side beach, possible ID RW02.  Team Billand arrived and confirmed RW02 resting on the sand.

Gayle found Kaiwi RK96 at Kokee again, and of course this made

her day. While hanging out with her most favorite critter Whale watcher friends called today saying there was an seal at Lanai Lookout. She went by in the afternoon and couldn't say for sure but thought it was Kolohe RW22. I'm going to go with Kolohe since I got a text this afternoon from a diver posse pal ID'ing Kolohe :-) 
And if that wasn't enough fun for Gayle Buster RV08 decided to show up at Sandys this afternoon. She sat with him when he moved from the water at 17:55, she knew he would be spending the night. She got some video of him settling in and left him at 18:50.

 Ka'ale RH32

 Kekoa RK72 

 Kekoa & Ka'ale

Lei Ola  

 RW02 PvKauai

Kaiwi

Kolohe

Buster

Video Clip Buster getting comfortable

2/24/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Point Update

Marilyn, Philomene & I did  the Ka'ena Pt monitoring hike today.

At the point we found RO40"Ka'ena & R330 "Squinty" hauled out on the reef island of the Main Pool.

R3CU was sleeping peacefully on Back Beach.

I took 2 official signs out and attached them to existing poles - hopefully they won't be taken away

The weather was covered and peasant.

Whales & Albatross were active, the high light was a VERY big pod of mixed Bottle Nose and Spinner dolphins.

Unfortunately that also brought a Dolphin Watcher boat very close to the point. It kept going back and forth after the pod, that at that point had separated into 4 different groups.. Hikers at the point were all complaining and upset at how close they got to the animals.

Since Marilyn was on the hike with Lesley, I'm including her photos as well.  

 Squinty R330

Squinty

 Squinty & Ka'ena

 Ka'ena

R3CU

Sign Sign Please read the sign !

 Chickie 

 dolphins at play

2/23/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Gayle, Lesley and a late email from Melody.
Lesley's Ka'ena Point complete update is in part 2 of the dailies.  

Team Billand was out at a Leeward Beach and spotted two seals off shore fighting, playing for a long time. They are able to determine one critter is Lei Ola and the other is Kekoa.  Lei Ola RH48 is first to come up on land and managed to hide from Kekoa RK72. Barbara commented that it was fascinating to see her hide out. Kekoa came up but he never saw Lei Ola, he came up and immediately went to sleep. On both their check Lei Ola was still hiding 30 feet of Kekoa. He never saw her.  

Team Billand second find was at a beach on the west side where they spotted a seal on the rocks, noticed ding on back, scares on right side of neck and tag. ID'd RW02 PvKauai. He went higher up on the rocks as the waves got bigger and coming in faster. Barbara moved to another observation point and could see PvKauai swimming in the shallows.  Then he was gone, which made her wonder if he was in cruise mode and who was he chasing.

As part of todays Team Billand Wild Kingdom we have tadpole shrimp growing in a mud puddle and somewhere along the road a couple of horses sharing a meal.

Gayle captured a crappy photo of one lonesome critter this morning on Rabbit Island. (and I say that with the utmost appreciation, Gayle knows me).  She did find her most favorite critter Kaiwi RK96 at Kokee today and I know that made her happy. But it wasn't over, because Gayle also found R016  Diamond Head side. Unfortunately she was blocking the path and if this weather holds up for the weekend she best find a new spot, since this is a popular area for beach-goers. Thank you Gayle for the video showing her moving her left flipper. * scroll all the way to the bottom for the video.*

Late email from Melody sent a couple of artsy photos of Right Spot (thank you). Also noted this was the first time Melody photographed Miss Right Spot.

hanging out in the waters

 Kekoa RK72

 Lei Ola

RW02 PvKauai

 tadpole shrimp

Horse Pair having a bite

Kaiwi RK96

Right Spot R016