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Sunday, August 29, 2021

08/29/2021 Sunday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn and Team R&B💕.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 12:15 to 2:10 today and there were four seals on island today. Out on the rock flats Lanikai side of LPB were: U/M, adult size, old coat, brown male belly. He left the rocks flats and was briefly seen with the molting J/M briefly at LPB. U/F, subadult to adult size, new coat, very light female belly. Marilyn did not see tags but does believe she had them.

On LPB near the 1BS was the molting JM, juvenile size, older

molting coat, male belly. By the end of Marilyn's viewing session she estimates he's about 25% through his molt. The entire chest is molted and partially down to his belly button. He entered the water for awhile and later hauled back out further Lanikai side of LPB. He was briefly visited by the UM.

Near SRI was what Marilyn believes to be a JF, juvenile size, older coat with lots of green on the belly which she thinks is female and two tags. She's not sure if this is a one or two year old but it looks it will molt soon. Marilyn thinks this is the same seal she had referred to as an unknown juvenile previously.

Team R&B's morning started off slow, they were at the bay and saw one seal foraging, but moving all the way to the other side. There were two dogs in the water, owner throwing ball, and the seal moved further out. That was the last they saw of the seal. They knew it was RL20 Kalua who had moved to the jetty area and much further out.

They headed over to tracks and at first didn't see any critters. Looking around a little more they saw not one, not two but four seals fighting and people rushing over to see what was happening. It took them a minute to get there, but when they did they saw R407 Kawika leaving in a hurry heading towards Honolulu. The three seals left were on shore, RL12 Aukai, RG28 Lefty and RN14 Kalani. Kalani headed into the water going up and down the shore line guarding Aukai, she was left alone. Lefty was further to the right by himself moaning.

They waited to see if RN14 and R407 would return but they never came back, so Team R&B set out to find them. Sure enough at another west side location they found the both of them. Kawika was already there and Kalani came hauling in.

Last stop they saw some people heading over to an area. Team R&B were hoping there wasn't a seal but there was. It was R3CX Nalu and he aware of all the people on the rocks with him. Team R&B stayed for a bit hoping the people would leave Nalu alone. After a while it was no use so Team R&B left.

Rabbit Island

RL20 Kalua

Time for a new sign???

Kawika R407

Seal Trio - Kalani-Aukai-Lefty

Rg28 Lefty

Aukai RL12

Aukai and Kalani

Kalani RN14

Kawika and Kalani

R3CX Nalu

Saturday, August 28, 2021

08/28/2021 Saturday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Lesley, Marilyn and Team R&B💕. Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 12:15 to 3:00 and were a total of four critters today. Initially there were two seal at LPB when she first started viewing. U/F: subadult size, new coat, light female belly and two tags. U/M: subadult to adult size, old coat, yellowish brown male belly, and tags. Marilyn may have seen a scar on the right rear side.

The UM was heading into the water when she first arrived, then he came out and met up with the UF. They both went into the water and came out again together. The UM entered the water about 1:05 and at 1:20 Marilyn realized that the UF had disappeared. She did not see either of them again.

At 1:30 a JM hauled out bear the 1BS. Juvenile size, old coat, male belly and not sure about tags. He is just starting to molt, about 15% on the upper chest area.

At 2:15 a UJ hauled out at SRI. Juvenile size, old coat with lost of green on the belly. Marilyn thinks this is the same UJ that she saw last Sunday. Yellowish belly might be female.

Team R&B started their day at the bay and it took a while before they spotted two seals foraging way out at the beginning of the jetty. They saw RL20 zooming about by the wall. Then there was RH32 Kaale who came right in front, passing people on shore. There are lots of fishers out the weekend. They stayed for an hour and a half.

They saw Kawika R407 on shore at tracks. There were lots of folks out and in the water. As they watched it looked like he was going to leave. They left shortly after to check on the other seals.

By the camp were two seals, RL12 Aukai and today she was with RN14 Kalani snoozing on shore. Folks passed them for a photo, but were respectful. Divers passed with fish, Aukai perked up it's a wonder she didn't try to steal it. Kalani was also aware of their presence.

At another location they were surprised to find Nalu R3CX. He is looking content, healthy and green.

Moving on they headed to another location and happy to find RL42 Leia . She is looking good, nice

coat, lots of scars and healthy. They didn't stay with her long as they didn't want to draw any attention to her spot.

Team R&B did the Ka'ena West hike and got skunked. As they were heading back they could see something was on shore from afar. They went to check it out and there was RM31 Kai. He is looking very green and his bleach number was visible. There were so many people out there but they got the ID and headed back out.

Rabbit Island