Photos / Sounds

What

Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii ssp. xantholophus)

Observer

lynnbeittel

Date

January 9, 2014

Description

I saw a Jackson's Chameleon climbing down a small tree on one side of our backyard. Then I saw it marching through the grass in a very determined fashion to another tree on the opposite side of the yard. It traveled about 75 feet in a couple of hours. After reaching the second tree, it started heading for the higher branches.

Photos / Sounds

What

Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi)

Observer

lynnbeittel

Date

November 2015

Place

Hawaii, US (Google, OSM)

Description

I saw a female Hawaiian Monk Seal and a pup. A "Pup-sitter" from The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola group told me that the pup was a two week old male. This was the mother's second pup.

I observed the pup barking, moving from the ocean to the beach and trying to suckle on its mother. Volunteers said the mother had already given it swimming lessons. It was surfing the waves and exploring. I also saw a male seal, who was believed to be a relative, watching the mother and pup for a few minutes from the ocean.

Less than two weeks later, the mother lost her pup. In December I asked the staff of The Marine Mammal Center about the cause of death and I was told that it was still under investigation.

To see video of the seals, go to: http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2015/12/20/video-hawaiian-monk-seal-at-keokea-loses-2nd-pup/