January 26, 2024 Friday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Marilyn and Team R&B💕

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 11:20 to 1:20 and there were four seals during that time.

On the rock flats Lanikai side of LPB was Unknown Adult 1: adult to sub-adult size, pit scar on left neck area, unsure about tags or sex.

On the Lanikai side of LPB near the surge channel was Unknown Adult 2: adult to sub-adult size, apparent split in LFF, not sure about sex or tags.

About 40 feet Makapuu of the 3BS was a Juvenile Female: juvenile size, two red tags, light tannish yellow female belly. Marilyn is reasonably sure this is the same JF that was there yesterday.

Out on RRB was an Unknown Sub-adult: sub-adult to adult size, not sure about tags or sex. This seal moved into the channel about noon and was not seen again.

Team R&B started their day checking in at secrets to see id any of the boys were around. There were no seals but off to the left they did spot a seal foraging. No tags seen, scar near its eye, they believe this is RG32. They waited around to see if it would land, but it didn't so they headed off to look elsewhere.

Next stop at Nimitz where they spotted a seal on the reef snoozing. They ID'd R407 who was alone.

A guy showed them a photo on his phone of a seal from a different day, they couldn't make an ID based on the photo.  He didn't know R407 was there until they pointed him out. He was thrilled and respectful by keeping his distance.

Heading over to plains, when they arrived they scanned the area. They saw a rock that wasn't there the other day, hmmmm that's usually what I do.  They soon realized it was a seal, so they hurried over to

the area. Much to their joy and surprise there was a large hapai female. It was Aukai RL12! They hadn't seen her in quite some time.

Lastly they found two seals at the bay. Kalua RL20 was with Kala RH76.

They met some nice folks who just arrived to the island and they asked if there were any seals. They pointed to RK76 and RL20. Team R&B gave them their background and monk seal 101.

Rabbit Island

RG32

R407

RL12

RH76

RL20

January 25, 2024 Thursday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Tammy and Team R&B💕

What a difference a day makes, today low winds and clear skies!

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 11:50 to 1:45 and there were four seals during that time.

On the rock flats on the Lanikai side of LPB were three seals close to each other:

R606: sub-adult male, light male belly, no tags and a NB on his RFF.

Sub-adult Male: sub-adult size, light great male belly and two red tags. He started out between R606 and RP24 but then moved down further on the rock flats in front of R606.

Behind the two males was RP24 Mohala: sub-adult size, two red tags, light tannish yellow female belly and NB on her LFF. She only briefly showed her belly then rolled over showing her NB.

About 30 feet Makapuu of the 3BS was a Juvenile Female: juvenile size, two red tags and light yellow female belly. She started out behind waterfront rocks but then moved up the beach where she was more visible.

Tammy was out at Ka'ena point today checking on the albatross. She and Lesley checked for seals and found two.  There was R420 Kaipo (N11) and R416 Makali'i. 

Team R&B had a busy and eventful day. They got word of a few seals on shore at secrets so they hurried over and their first find was RN14 Kalani. He is slowly molting about maybe 3%.

The second find was RK72 Kekoa Alii, who they are always happy to see their boy.

Then there was RG28 Lefty and Kaale RH32. And if that wasn't enough then RG32.  What a great site seeing all five seals on shore.

So with five male seals on shore NOAA decided to come out and place a satellite tag on one of them.

They decided on Lefty RG28. So the process began and the seals decided to make it more interesting. Kekoa RK72 galumphed down to the shore, G32 moved along with G28, followed by N14 and H32.

Three seals took off and NOAA went to approach RG28 but he wasn't having it. They did manage to give him a new tag on his left flipper G44, and then he was released.  All the seals left and Team R&B headed out.

While out that way they checked in at Paradise Cove. There on shore was RK72 Kekoa Alii, so they texted NOAA. Team R&B notified security to help keep tourist back because NOAA was coming to try and apply the satellite tag. 

Signs were up but people were ignorant and walked right by the seal.

A volunteer arrived to help keep folks away. NOAA arrived and eventually secured RK72. They took blood samples, gave him some new tags RK22/RK23 and he was fit with a sat tag and critter camera.

Then Kekoa Alii was released and he quickly entered the water, turned around to look back and then made his way out of the lagoon. Team R&B think he probably had a few choice things to say. 

Team R&B wanted to give a big shout out to new posse pal Kathy O.  She had stopped by for a visit and immediately helped keep people back.  I am so glad they got to meet each other.

Rabbit Island

R416

R420

RG28

RH32

RN14

Five Seals -  RN14, RG28, RH32, RK72, RG28

Lefty with new G44 tag

Kekoa with new bling - sat tag, and RK22/23 tags

January 24, 2024 Wednesday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Team R&B💕  Due to the high winds today Marilyn did not make it out to the pier today (and possibly tomorrow).

On the other hand Team R&B lives by the mailman's motto ""Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"  Only they apply it to searching for seals.

On this dreary day they went out and on their first stop they found Miss Kala RH76 with RM31 Kai.  He is so sweet with her. 

They went search and noticed a seal from afar on shore. They headed over to the area and

upon their arrival they found R407 Kawika. After a very long walk out they saw that he was alone resting peacefully.

Next they made their way out to Secrets, there were two volunteers on site watching over two seals.  High up near the Naupaka was RN14 Kalani. He's about 2% into his molt.

Below him was his old bosom buddy RH32 Kaale. He was in a deep snooze.  The two of them hardly moved while they were there.

Lastly they checked out Makaha and found Miss Leia RL42. She was alone just resting and no one was around while they were there. Miss Leia is looking quite fat, the red of her tag was visible but they could read it.

They something caught their eye on the hillside. The goats were out and very active, they counted at least twelve. Watching some of them head butting each other, guess the weather affects the animals too.

RH76 & RM31

R407

RH32

RN14

RH32&RN14

RL42

da goats