07/30/2020 Thursday Act-With-Care Monk Seal Dailies

Blog update, as I mentioned in a previous post the "blogger" software just went through so major changes. They are significant enough that I have to learn my way around, and some changes I haven't been able to figure out just yet. So I ask for your patience as I am sure there are going to be a few glitches.

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand.

They covered a lot of ground without any seals all morning. They took a break and then headed out to Ka'ena West in the afternoon.

At 1 pm they found RL42 Leia, she was in a spot where she had been when she was younger. On the rocks they spotted her tags to make a positive ID. She was still there when they finished their trek.

They saw RN14 Kalani coming in at a fast pace, looking over the rocks, bobbing up and down. He never hauled out and kept going towards Yoks.

At 1:30 they found the little green goblin RL20 Kalua. He was alone at the time, sleeping in a small pond looking extremely green.

At 2:40 they were on the way back to the car and they saw a seal haul out on shore at yoks. There were people around in the water and it looked like the seal would leave. Rob tried to get to the area but it was too late, as he saw the seal leave.

At 3 pm Robert spotted a seal at another location while Barb was still making her way back to the car. He saw a V2 which would indicate it was V28 Paakea RF28.

RL42 Leia

RN14 Kalani

RL20 Kalua

UU @ Yoks

RF28 V28 - Paakea

07/29/2020 Wednesday Act-With-Care Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Team Billand and Melody. Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies. 

I just want to not that the "blog" software has changed, which shouldn't affect your viewing the blog, but has changed my updates. One of the changes I noticed is the labeling is different, and may not be as accurate until I can figure out how to manipulate the new system.

Team Billand arrived at a westside location and found a big green seal on lower rocks. They were able to ID Ka'ale RH32. They spotted a second critter who turned out to be RF28 Paakea in the shallows near Ka'ale.  Paakea is curious about Ka'ale, he keeps looking over to him.

Suddenly Ka'ale seemed to react to something he entered the water to leave.

Then Team Billand spot seal number three. It was RN14 Kalani coming fast looking around. Paakea RF28 faces him and they fight in the shallows.

They went by water front rocks and found Ka'ale on his side resting peacefully.  Then they heard plop, plop and it's RF28 Paakea who spots Ka'ale. Paakea starts vocalizing to Ka'ale who turns to look. They both keep to themselves and rest peacefully. 

Team Billand did note some "teeth" markes on RF28s neck area.

On their last check they didn't see any of the seals. They walked over to water front rocks and to the right across area is Ka'ale RH32 getting swamped by many waves. There was no where for him to go so he stayed and got battered by the waves. Chances are he won't stick around for long. 

Melody got a text from a friend that Rocky RH58 was visiting Waikiki, so she quickly made her way there knowing she normal leaves early. Melody arrived and found her sleeping with her head by the red cones. She wasn't there very long when Rocky decided to turn around and head for the water. Within a few minutes she was to the waters edge and headed out quickly.  She is looking plump and healthy. 

Let's just say she better get her flippers flapping and heading off to Kauai in that if she is going to pup, she is due sometime next week.

Ka'ale 

Paakea RF28

RN14 Kalani

07/29/2020 Wednesday (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Weather was very interesting today started overcast with light drizzles, then the sun came out and the wind picked up. Tide was high and waves were big.

My first seal sighting was on my second check on Lyman's side, I saw a seal down at Camp Erdman Pt. It was RO40 Ka'ena. He spent all day there.

Right in front of him a group of 4 Spotted Eagle Rays was cruising and playing.

At Hidden Beach RK40 Napua was alone sleeping peacefully. She may be 100% molted. As she didn't move, I didn't see her full back, what I saw was completely clean

At the point RL74 Kami was hauled out on some reefs in another unusual spot. She's so green.

My surprise was to find that little PO4 Kai has made it past the point to the other. Just like all of Nihoa's kids and grandkids born on this side they all ventured to the point then to the West side. They all have come back to molt and or give birth. Some like RN58 Luana and RK40 Napua have stayed on this side. It will be interesting to see what Kai will do. As far as we know, none of them have ventured off Oahu yet.

The photo of the birdie is one of a flock that come every morning to share breakfast with me.

More tomorrow 

07/28/2020 Tuesday Act-With-Care Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Lesley's multiple Ka'ena updates. (refer to the next post for explanation).

Team Billand was out at 6 am and found Ka'ale RH32 stealing fish at the outfall.  They were not able to stay as they had to get to an appointment.
When they returned after 12 Ka'ale was still foraging but slowing down. (six hours of feasting wonder why the boy is chubby).  They waited to see if he would haul out.
At 12:30 they arrived to a close by location and there was a seal and knew was Ka'ale. They didn't go back during the day.

Just after 12 Team Billand found RN14 Kalani resting on his back, relaxing alone. His tags were showing and scar on his hind flipper.

At 12:30 Team Billand found RF28 at the water front rocks alone again. His applied bleach was showing. 

So Team Billand decided to bestow RF28 son of Pohaku with the name Paakea. Paakea means: limestone on leeward side, made of stone.  Team Billand first met him when they visited Kauai in June of 2014. He was born on 5/21/2014 and turns out May 21st is Barbs mom's b day.  
I know Team Billand spends so much time studying these animals and truly loves each one of them. They put a lot of thought and heart into this and I think it's a perfect name for son of Pohaku named Paakea RF28.

Ka'ale RH32 from afar

 Ka'ale foraging 

RF28 Paakea

RN14 Kalani 

07/28/2020 Lesley's Multiple Ka'ena Updates

We have multiple updates from Lesley, since for some reason my email has a glitch. But no worries, we'll play catch up from the 24th, 26th and 27th. :-)

From 7/24"

My first seal today was RG28 Lefty at 10Mns Beach

Next were RO40 Ka'ena & RK40 Napua @ Hidden Beach. Our little girl started her first catastrophic molt today. Last year if I'm not mistaken, she had a mild one.

RL74 Kami was at the point in a very unusual location - I had been down three times and never saw her, then as I was leaving a movement far away on some reefs made me stop a stare. It was her.

Back on this side RN58 Luana had hauled out @ Lyman's West and RK36 Kauai Kolohe on our front beach access.

Just before sunset I went down to check she had left, I walked down the beach to look for PO4 Kai - he has been MIA again. I'd like to see him before the storm. 

I came up on RG28 Lefty who relocated to Luana's Tide Pool. He must be very close to start cracking, he has been lethargic and has that green racoon mask.

I came back just as Kauai Kolohe decide to move into the water and head West.

At the point I was able to see, for a second day in a row, an Albatross chick fly. That's such a cool feeling to watch the effort and the result.

We started preparing the closure of the park today for the storm, by closing the permitted gate. I'll do another drive thru and monitoring tomorrow before a possible full closure.

Be safe and dry everyone 

More tomorrow 

From 7/26 & 27:

Aloha all,

Hope everyone had a safe and dry weekend. We were very busy around here in the park and at home.

Yesterday I was able to check the beach several times RN58 Luana & RG28 Lefty spent all day there

Today I made it down in the late afternoon I walked the full beaches. RN58 Luana was the only seal hauled out. She has been in the same spot for several days. The photos are deceiving cause she's looking skinny, that's because of the position of her body partly buried in the sand. She also has lost weight during her molt and that is normal.

There were 2 other burrows beside hers, she may have had company during the day. 

More tomorrow