Hawaii State Mammal: Hawaiian Monk Seal

Nature, State Animals 4 Minutes

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. The population overall had been declining for six decades and current numbers, though increasing, are only about one-third of historic population levels. Importantly, however, the current upward trend is in part due to NOAA Fisheries recovery efforts.

Hawaiian monk seals are found in the Hawaiian archipelago which includes both the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and rarely at Johnston Atoll which lies nearly 1,000 miles southwest of Hawaii. These monk seals are endemic to these islands, occurring nowhere else in the world. Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and State of Hawaii law.

Rocky, the Famous Hawaiian Monk Seal

Rocky became famous in 2017 when she had a pup on a busy beach in Waikiki on the island of Oahu. She returned to Kauai on July 14, 2018, and two days later, she was observed with a new pup.

Population Status

The population is estimated to be around 1,600 seals—nearly 1,200 seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and 400 seals in the main Hawaiian Islands.

A prolonged decline of the Hawaiian monk seal population in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands occurred after the late 1950s, lasting until very recently. While individual subpopulations increased or decreased during that time, the total number of seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands declined. Although this decline means that a full recovery of the species is a long way off, there are relatively recent, encouraging developments, including:

Visible recolonization and significant growth of the main Hawaiian Islands monk seal subpopulation from low numbers to approximately 400 over the past 2 decades or more

Overall species population growth of 2 percent each year between 2013 to 2022—2021, marked the first time their population exceeded 1,570 in more than 2 decades

Promising advances in juvenile seal survival enhancement research, such as evaluating how translocation affects survival and continued efforts to improve medical treatments

The decline that occurred in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands was attributed to a number of factors at various regions and time periods. However, low juvenile survival, likely related to limited food availability, was the primary driver of the decline during the past 25 years.

Appearance

Newborn monk seal pups are born black, while weaned pups and older seals are dark gray to brown on their back and light gray to yellowish brown on their belly.

Monk seals undergo a “catastrophic molt” about once per year, where they shed the top layer of their skin and fur (similar to elephant seals). Seals that spend a long time at sea foraging can grow algae on their fur. Those that look green haven’t molted recently and may be getting ready to shed into a new silvery coat.

Most Hawaiian monk seals have unique natural markings, such as scars or natural bleach marks (white spots), on their fur which help identify them. Personnel authorized by NOAA Fisheries often apply identification tags to their rear flippers. Tagging and tracking used in combination with identification of unique markings enable long-term monitoring of individuals.

Male and female monk seals are similar in size. The only way to confirm whether a seal is female or male is by looking at its belly.

Behavior and Diet

Hawaiian monk seals are “generalist” feeders, which means they eat a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available. They eat many types of common fishes, squids, octopuses, eels, and crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, and lobsters). Diet studies indicate that they forage at or near the seafloor and prefer prey that hide in the sand or under rocks. They do not target most of the locally popular gamefish species such as ulua (giant trevally), pāpio (baby ulua), and ‘ō‘io (bonefish).

Hawaiian monk seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes and dive more than 1,800 feet; however, they usually dive an average of 6 minutes to depths of less than 200 feet to forage at the seafloor.

Hawaiian monk seals are mostly solitary and don’t live in colonies like sea lions or other seals. But they do sometimes lie near each other—usually not close enough to make physical contact—in small groups. They usually sleep on beaches, sometimes for days at a time. They also occasionally sleep in small underwater caves.

Monk seals do not migrate seasonally, but some seals have traveled hundreds of miles in the open ocean. Individual seals often frequent the same beaches over and over, but they do not defend territories.

Where They Live

Hawaiian monk seals are found throughout the entire Hawaiian archipelago, a distance of 1,500 miles from Kure Atoll (Hōlanikū) in the northwest to Hawaii Island in the southeast. The majority of Hawaiian monk seals (about 1,200 individuals) live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and a much smaller number (about 400) live in the main Hawaiian Islands. There have also been rare sightings of Hawaiian monk seals, as well as a single birth, at Johnston Atoll, the closest atoll southwest of the Hawaiian Islands. Monk seals live in warm, subtropical waters and spend two-thirds of their time at sea. They use the waters surrounding atolls and islands and areas farther offshore on reefs and submerged banks; they also use deepwater coral beds as foraging habitat. When on land, monk seals haul-out to rest, molt, give birth and nurse on sand, coral rubble, and volcanic rock shorelines. They generally prefer sandy, protected beaches surrounded by shallow waters for pupping

Lifespan & Reproduction

Monk seals can live to over 30 years of age, but few live that long. Monk seals mate in the water. The youngest documented female to give birth was 4 years old, but typically females begin reproducing at age 5 to 6 in the main Hawaiian Islands and age 7 to 10 in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

SOURCE: FISHERIES.NOOA.GOV

Unknown's avatar

Published by pat frederick

Published

152 thoughts on “Hawaii State Mammal: Hawaiian Monk Seal”

  1. Morning All…and what a morning it’s been!
    hubby sprayed for ants this past week…all around the outside of the house and all along the inside inner walls. except for the kitchen. sigh. hubby put a liquid ant bait trap in the corner behind the bread box. i didn’t know this. well…the ants found the bait trap and were all over the counter this morning…sheesh!
    and while we were dealing with that, FOUR male orioles were sitting on the back of the swing and 2 female orioles were sitting on the railing where the jelly feeder normally is expressing their displeasure…sigh
    and something ripped down the drip pan from the grill again…but nothing is in the trap.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Well, at least you know where they are now! I’m guessing more bait traps are in order…just not on the counter! Is it possible to bring the drip pan inside except when you’re using it? That would solve that problem. My Orioles have slowed down considerably – nesting, I assume.

      The Red Headed WP’s are not happy campers right now – they keep lighting on the jelly feeder and tipping their head this way and that, looking for their suet block – they aren’t fond of the smaller, softer suet since it doesn’t have the bigger seeds that they prefer. The Nuthatches will eat it but they also prefer the bigger, harder WP blocks. I don’t like putting them out because they draw the damned blackbirds, which I despise….altho I do enjoy it when I see them chasing the squirrel! LOL

      I’m trying to hold off going to Norfolk until I get the Menards rebate check so I can use that to buy more WP blocks. I prefer spending their money over my own – altho it isn’t REALLY their money since I have no doubt they boost their prices during the rebate periods. I don’t have to go until Tuesday – Sis is coming to pick Mom up on Wednesday for her eye surgery. I need to get the 4 boxes of horse stuff to her for her GGD’s BD.

      Wheezer ate overnight and when I looked out to check the jelly feeder to see if I needed to add more jelly, there she was, checking out her territory, looking for birds in the garden beds, etc. She went over to the east exterior patio so I went to the BR window and opened it to say good morning. She saw me before I even opened the window – she was no doubt watching for Jake, since he often sits at that window. Not this morning – he was being a PITA again and is shut in the bedroom. After I closed it and walked away, she came onto the patio and ate some more. When I went out with the jelly, she was in the driveway – I skirted around her and added more jelly while she went over and laid down next to one of the Honeysuckle vines.

      When I first got up, the skies were cloudy but it is clearing now and no rain is expected, with low winds and expected high of 81. It was 59 when I got up and up to 61 now so I expect it will warm up quickly. No thunderstorms predicted until next Saturday.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Morning Filly!
        we’ve always had the liquid bait traps scattered need the floor molding several places in the house (except upstairs) because of carpenter ants. and as i said hubby usually sprays first thing in spring, but he didn’t and then he mowed. upset a lot of underground ants–almost every tree here (close to the house) has an ant mound somewhere near it. bears in the summer when food gets scarce will rip open those mounds and eat the ants.
        hubby didn’t replace the traps on the deck either this spring. ooops. he did now…lol
        it happens.
        this morning a grosbeak chased an oriole from the feeder–that surprised me.

        Liked by 1 person

            1. OK, I’ve seen a lot of them that look like that 2nd picture…..maybe they are grosbeaks! The Orioles are slimmer, tho. I’ll have to look closer at their size.

              Liked by 1 person

              3. oh me too.
                i went on one site…forget which one–to listen to the grosbeak call. then read the description. now i can recognize it.
                i used to try to spot the bird making the call so i could add a visual to the sound, but with all the leaves on the tress–that’s impossible now

                Liked by 1 person

              4. IKR? It’s difficult for me to see clearly thru the patio screen but if I open the door to go outside, they immediately fly away.

                Liked by 1 person

              5. they are right outside on the deck railing. if i open the windows on that side i can hear them more distinctly, but even when the windows are closed, you can still hear them. the deck is only 8 ft wide on the side so i can sit on the chair by the window and they are very close.

                Liked by 1 person

  3. i agree. being in france may be part of first lady duties, but being at hunter’s trial is personal. she should have to pay for those trips back and forth

    Liked by 1 person

  5. quid quo pro is IMPEACHABLE…they tried that with President Trump.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. wonder which husband? her brother? the second guy? or the third one who was married and having an affair with her before he left his wife? think he was a white guy

    sync

    June 9, 2024 8:33 am

    She married a grifter……

    Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband accused of swindling investor in their California winery

    Tim Mynett and his business partner Will Hailer deny defrauding the investor, while another company they started owes $1.2 million to cannabis growers in South Dakota

    https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/06/05/rep-ilhan-omars-husband-accused-of-swindling-investor-in-their-california-winery/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yep, Mynett is the white guy….

      EXCERPT: “Omar has been married to Tim Mynett since March 2020. Mynett is known as a political consultant whose consulting firm, the E Street Group, received more than $523,000 from Omar’s campaign during the 2020 election cycle. Omar’s campaign was the E Street Group’s biggest moneymaker.

      The connection between Omar’s campaign and Mynett’s consulting firm was brought to national attention by her critics and opponents. In response to the critics, Omar’s campaign terminated its contract with Mynett’s firm on November 17, 2020, saying the termination was to “make sure that anybody who is supporting our campaign with their time or financial support feels there is no perceived issue with that support.”

      The two have also faced rumors that the relationship began as an affair. Beth Mynett, Tim’s ex-wife, accused the two of having a relationship when she filed for divorce in August 2019.

      https://www.the-sun.com/news/2703514/who-ilhan-omars-husband-has-she-been-married-before/

      Liked by 1 person

        1. I don’t either – not at all! It is most likely the $$$/influence potential. With her being born in Somalia, I’ve always wondered if she was subjected to cutting like most girls do there…..

          Liked by 1 person

            1. Pure evil!!! And it always pisses me off when people try to compare that to male circumcision! NOT the same thing at all!!!

              Liked by 1 person

  7. ozempic? LOL take it for what it’s worth…

    Charlotte99

    June 9, 2024 8:58 am

    *iSN [ Exclusive ] MICHELLE OBAMA STRANGELY ABCENT FROM PUBLIC EYE According To Well Placed Sources The Former First Lady Is Being Secretly Prepared To ‘Parachute In’ And Take Over From Biden At The Top Of The Ticket

    https://nitter.poast.org/isource_news/status/1798690124076859851#m

    0

    Reply

    Charlotte99

    Charlotte99

    June 9, 2024 8:59 am

    Reply to  Charlotte99

    MICHELLE ON OZEMPIC Confidential Sources Confirm The Weight Loss Drug Is Being Used As Part Of The Former First Lady’s Preparations For Stepping Into The 2024 Race As A Last Minute Replacement For Joe Biden

    https://nitter.poast.org/isource_news/status/1798688300208996723#m

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think I need to remind you of the many, many times I have suggested this possibility for quite some time now…..sooo many people pooh-poohed that thought…..we shall see! In this case, I would LOVE to be wrong but……

      Liked by 1 person

      1. i think the maggot is declining quicker than they thought he would…but yes, i knew you said they’d slide mooch in.
        they ARE losing the minority vote–that’s gotta scare them. and she does love to be adored.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. “J6 American Nightmare: Lt. Col. Larry Brock—The Netflix documentary “American Nightmare” sheds light on the destructive combination of corrupt law enforcement and unaccountable news media. J6ers have their own horrifying stories to tell.”

    JULIE KELLY, JUN 09, 2024

    man holding chain-link fence
    Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash

    EXCERPT: “This is a guest post written by January 6 defendant Larry Brock, who was recently released from federal prison on nonviolent charges related to his participation in the Capitol protest. Brock is a retired Lieutenant Colonel for the Air Force; he graduated from the Air Force Academy and went on to pilot the A-10 for more than 20 years in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

    As more J6ers are released from jail, I plan to use my platform to help share their stories with you and the public so the American people can begin to understand the cruelty, vengefulness, and inhumanity of the legal/judicial/penal system weaponized against them and how the media only exacerbates the torment.

    (Video)

    “As I stood with my fellow pilots and sensor operators inside a bunker at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, we all began to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Just a few seconds earlier the klaxon had sounded “incoming, incoming” to mark inbound Iranian theater ballistic missiles. Dressed in body armor and helmets we waited for the impact knowing that a direct hit would kill us.

    Fortunately the missile was not accurate and missed us. I survived the Iranian January attack in 2020, but just a few years later I would not be as fortunate while standing in a D.C. courthouse waiting for the impact of the Department of Justice’s court case and Judge John Bates’ decision.

     I have fully documented my actions on January 6 on my website, but a basic recitation of some of the facts is necessary to support this story….”

    https://www.declassified.live/p/j6-american-nightmare-lt-col-larry

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Just The News: “The polls are set to close Sunday in elections for European Parliament, and the results are expected to bring the assembly to the right.

    The election is set to influence the future of the 450 million citizens living under the European Union, with the top issues this election being challenges presented by Russia and China, the bloc’s relationship with the United States, and issues with immigration, according to Reuters.

    The polls opened Thursday in the Netherlands and on Friday and Saturday in other nations, with the bulk of ballots expected to be cast on Sunday. Tens of millions of people already voted Sunday for the 720 seats in the European Parliament, The Associated Press reported. 

    Surveys have suggested that mainstream parties will retain their majority, but lose seats to hard right parties such as those led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Dutch politician Geert Wilders and French politician Marine Le Pen.

    A shift to the right may make it more difficult to pass legislation in the European Parliament, but Orban told reporters after casting his ballot: “To go right is always good. Go right!”

    Liked by 1 person

  11. NF: Of course she’s asking Maricopa County to stand down – that way SHE can be Katie Hobbs’ savior!!! And I have no doubt her investigation will come out in favor of Hobbs – she is a democrat after all!!! Watch and see – this will be deep-sixed, no doubt in my mind!

    Just The News: “Arizona’s top law enforcement official has opened a criminal probe into corruption allegations involving Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs and donations from a group home business. Attorney General Kris Mayes notified the Legislature that she had received a criminal referral from a GOP lawmaker involving allegations with Sunshine Residential Homes and had agreed to open a probe.

    “The Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Office is statutorily authorized to investigate the allegations and offenses outlined in your letter. To that end, the Attorney General’s Office will be opening an investigation,” Mayes wrote late Friday.

    The announcement came after one of the state’s largest newspapers, The Arizona Republic, reported that the group home business that cares for vulnerable children was approved for a 60% rate hike after it donated about $400,000 to Hobbs’ inauguration and the state Democratic Party.

    Sunshine requested the rate hike to address financial hardships amid the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, the newspaper reported.

    State Sen. T.J. Shope, a Republican, requested the probe after the report in The Arizona Republic. “I have to believe that they, at the very least, see the allegations the same way that I do, which is troubling at best and possibly worse,” Shope said.

    Mayes also wrote authorities in Maricopa County, asking them Saturday to stand down from investigating the same allegations. “It would not be appropriate or in the best interest of the state to conduct parallel investigations into the same matter,” the attorney general wrote. 

    Hobbs’ office issued a statement denying wrongdoing. “Just like past investigations instigated by radical and partisan legislators, the administration will be cleared of wrongdoing,” the statement said. “Governor Hobbs is a social worker who has been a champion for Arizona families and kids. It is outrageous to suggest her administration would not do what’s right for children in foster care.”

    Liked by 1 person

  12. EXCERPT: “The U.S. Supreme Court could decide as early as Monday whether to review a request by the oil industry to dismiss dozens of lawsuits filed by states, cities and counties that seek to hold energy firms liable for damages they say are caused by climate change.

    Experts argue the high court’s decision could have extensive ramifications, impacting national security and the ability to conduct business in the United States. 

    A climate lawsuit, which was filed by the city and county of Honolulu in 2020, is one of many such cases seeking compensation from a dozen oil companies for what the plaintiffs claim is damages suffered as result of climate change.  Honolulu claims that companies knew for decades that burning fossil fuels caused global warming, but they allegedly worked to conceal this fact from the public.

    Critics of the narrative point out that oil companies’ research had no greater knowledge about climate change than any other group researching the issue, and what is said to be attempts to hide this information are actually debates of the degree of risk, which still continue today. 

    According to Honolulu’s lawsuit, heat waves have stressed the electricity grid, and a wastewater treatment plant had to incur costs to deal with sea level rises. The city is seeking to be compensated for these and other damages it alleges the oil companies caused.

    In 2023, the Hawaii Supreme Court rejected the oil companies’ request to dismiss the suit, and their petition to the U.S. Supreme Court asks to overturn the Hawaii court’s decision…..”

    https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/energy/high-stakes-case-scotus-could-have-extensive-impacts-energy-costs

    Liked by 1 person

        1. I can’t believe some smart lawyer didn’t argue it’s not the fossil fuels themselves–it’s their USE that MAY cause the climate change. like suing a gun manufacturer if a mass murder uses one of its weapons

          Liked by 1 person

  13. Disgusting trash in Connecticut!!! I sure hope the police take note of this and adjust their behavior accordingly when one of these jitbags calls for the police!!!

    Just The News: “A town council in Connecticut decided not to fly the “thin blue line” flag to honor a state trooper who died, with one member referring to the flag as “antagonistic.” The Wethersfield Town Council rejected the notion to fly the “thin blue line” flag in a 5-3 vote after a dispute about the flag with some arguing it had ties to “white supremacy,” according to Fox News.

    Democratic Councilmember Emily Zambrello said at one point that the flag is viewed as “antagonistic.”

    The idea to fly the flag was pitched after state trooper Aaron Pelletier was killed during a traffic stop. Republican Council Member Rich Bailey suggested flying the flag to honor him. This resulted in disagreement among council members with the mayor eventually weighing in. 

    “It is now being used by white supremacist groups and other far-right types of groups,” Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser said. “And even many police departments around the country and in Connecticut have said that ‘we don’t authorize to use that flag.'”

    Thin Blue Line USA which sells the flags, says that the flag is “flown to show support for our heroes in law enforcement and serves as a consoling reminder they will always be there to protect us.”

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Hmmm….interesting that they are both gay and you have to wonder whether one or both are actually transgender…..Breanna Stewart and “her” wife just had a 2nd baby via a surrogate….????

    EXCERPT: “Women’s National Basketball Association player Caitlin Clark reportedly won’t be on the Team USA roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

    While the Team USA’s roster has not been announced, sources on Saturday told NBC News that those going to the competition will be veteran basketball players including Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart….”

    https://justthenews.com/nation/culture/basketball-player-caitlin-clark-will-not-be-team-usa-roster-olympics-sources-say

    https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/08/basketball-star-breanna-stewart-champion-wife-welcome-first-child-ruby/

    EXCERPT: ““The ‘safety’ of women and girls remains one of the most inaccurate and unjustifiable arguments for why anti-trans efforts are advocated for in this country,” said WNBA star Breanna Stewart. “I firmly believe we should be passing laws and establishing policies that are inclusive of the transgender community and afford them every opportunity to succeed both in sport and in society.”

    https://www.athleteally.org/sports-stars-rally-transgender-day-visibility/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so they bought a child basically?

      and if they want transgender equality–have them play against OTHER transgenders and have their own league. you have junior varsity and varsity teams so that abilities are matched. the same should be true of women and men.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yep, which kind of leads me to believe they are both trans; otherwise, the “wife” could have used a semen donor to have a baby.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Yeah, this should go well! Idiots!!!

    Just The News: “San Francisco opened its first $5.5 million free food “market,” where approved residents can show a benefits eligibility card, put what they want in their carts, check out to keep track of outgoing inventory, and leave without paying. The Bayview-Hunters Point facility aims to be a food pantry alternative that replicates the supermarket experience in an area where many grocery stores have come but few have remained due to high crime.

    The 4000-square foot District 10 Market is the first of San Francisco’s food empowerment “markets” funded by the San Francisco’s Human Services Agency. Eligible individuals receive a Costo-like benefits card that allows use of the facility once per month. Eligibility is limited to individuals who live within one of three zip codes, be verified social services clients, have dependents under 25 or a qualified food-related illness, and be referred by one of eleven community organizations in the market’s referral network.

    Geoffrea Morris, who spearheaded San Francisco’s Food Empowerment Market legislation in 2021 while working for a county supervisor and is a senior consultant for the District 10 Market, explains the program is meant to supplement food stamps that run out towards the end of the month, especially due to rising food costs from inflation.

    “This is a supplemental source for food. Food stamps should be the primary source. This is a supplemental source especially close to the end of the month when families are facing the pain, especially with inflation,” Morris told The Center Square.

    The facility is designed to closely replicate the supermarket experience, with individuals’ items weighed and scanned upon “check-out” to keep track of inventory and manage supply chains. District 10 Market, which is operating on a $5.5 million grant from San Francisco, uses taxpayer funds to purchase high-quality fresh produce from Rodriguez Brothers Ranch in Watsonville, and largely relies on donations from other grocery stores for its shelf-stable items and toiletries.

    “If we didn’t tell you it was free you’d think you’d have to pay,” Morris said. Morris also detailed how District 10 Market’s referral process is meant to ensure use of wraparound services. “If you’re having food insecurity you’re having other issues as well and you need to be engaged with the services the city has put in place to improve your life and the life of your children,” Morris said.

    District 10 is one of San Francisco’s poorest communities, and is home to some of the city’s largest public housing projects. As a result of high crime, grocery stores have had a hard time staying in businesses in the area, despite the large population. “We’ve had plenty of chains come in and out of the community. Over my lifetime plenty of chains have come in and left,” recalled Morris.

    The Bayview-Hunters Point community has 40,495 residents, is home to designated United States Department of Agriculture “food desert” with low fresh food availability, and a high property crime rate in the area. In the first six months of 2019, the area had reports of 143 robberies, 129 assaults, 195 burglaries, 308 motor vehicle thefts, 889 larceny thefts. Those numbers largely declined in the first six months of 2024, in which 78 robberies, 120 assaults, 174 burglaries, 353 motor vehicle thefts, 431 larceny thefts were reported, but business organizations say apparent crime reductions as reported in San Francisco and much of California are from less reporting of crime, not less actual crime.

    “We know that there is underreporting. Since Prop 47 was passed, murder, rape and robbery increased by more than 20% in the number of crimes. Same holds true for motor vehicle theft which is up 19.8% since the passage of Proposition 47,” said Matt Ross, Communications Director for Californians Against Retail & Residential Theft, to The Center Square. “The only significant drop is burglary at 30% So either California is doing an amazing job at stopping burglary when every other crime stat is on the increase, or there is underreporting.”

    Should the Bayview-Hunters Point facility meet city goals, the city plans on rolling out more facilities in other low-income districts.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. i just read that this morning. so they get food stamps or whatever and this is for that period at the end of the month when they run out? AND you can have dependents 25 yrs old and under? 25 yr olds should be on their own at that point FFS

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Agree 11% – frankly, I’m glad I won’t live long enough to see the current crop of young’uns in charge!!!

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Already up to 77 – doggie door is covered and Jake is lying on the rug by the door in the sun. Of course, the fact that there is a gap at the bottom right corner of the door and he and Wheezer have been almost nose to nose thru that gap….I expect it’s more than the sun he’s after! LOL – she disappeared shortly after I saw her earlier.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Almost no wind at all here, just an occasional breeze. It’s up to 82 now….I’m hoping I can avoid turning on the a/c. I’m still wearing a LS t-shirt and sweats and am comfortable so…..we’ll see. For the first time since I moved here, I’ve had several ticks on me after working outside. I found 2 a couple of days ago and yesterday, discovered another one in the upper fold of my ear. I HATE ticks but I can’t pinpoint where I picked them up!!!! I can only guess that it may be due to the unusually wet spring we’ve had this year.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. ….sigh…at least one squirrel is in season or coming into season – they can only actually breed 1 day but start putting out the come-hither scent a week before. Just watched a couple of males fighting – I can still hear some growling; I heard something on the patio and there were 2 of them that had climbed up to get at the seed feeder….which they can’t get into but they could easily knock it down – I’ve taken it down now because they got up there again while I was typing this comment! Then one chased the other over to the wood pile until I went out and banged on the sill with the broom handle. They all skedaddled up the ash tree, then I heard squabbling and saw one fall out of the tree – ROFL time! They chased each other around and under the shed until presumably the female headed over up into the cottonwood tree.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. now they’re pushing this bill–they want to bring it to the floor. it basically grants amnesty to 11million–and that will “solve” the illegal crisis. what a bunch of assholes. 11 million people broke the law and reward them with dignity

    Liked by 1 person

  26. “How Else was Trump Supposed to Handle Covid?”

    CLANDESTINE, JUN 09, 2024

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Trump has received lots of criticism for his handling of Covid and unwillingness to fire Fauci, but what exactly could he have done? At the time, the public and MSM literally worshipped Fauci like a god. Flashback to Reuters report from 10/06/2020:

    (Video of Trump on balcony with the narrator talking about the criticism he got after taking off his mask after returning to the WH)

    If Trump fired the senior most US Health Official, during a pandemic, the Dems/MSM would have lost their minds, and it would have severely negatively impacted Trump’s support, just months out from the 2020 election.

    Many of Trump’s critics have forgotten just how tense it was back in the summer of 2020. If Trump fired Fauci during that time, the Left would have endless headlines/narratives to blame Trump for the million+ “deaths” of US citizens, and he would have lost reelection for sure.

    The Deep State had Trump cornered. He was unable to remove anyone like Fauci or Collins during this period due to optics. It was truly a genius plan on their part.

    And then we look at masks, lockdowns, and vaccines. Trump was notoriously anti-mask and received loads of hate from the media for it, he was anti-lockdown and left it up to the States, and he was vehemently anti-vaccine mandate. Trump was all about individual choice the entire time, and never wanted to force anything on anyone.

    As for vaccine production, what was Trump supposed to do? Trump is a savvy business man and diplomat, but he is not a doctor or scientist. How was Trump, or anyone in his administration, supposed to know better than the highest ranking officials in the US and global health organizations? How are they supposed to know if the vaccines are good or not?

    They had no choice but to trust their health officials. Is it Trump’s fault that the WHO, CDC, NIH, USAID, etc., are all corrupt?

    The majority of the world didn’t even know these entities were corrupt until AFTER Covid ended and their lies became apparent. Was Trump supposed to arrest all the corrupt actors of these health organizations, while the public are locked down and severely brainwashed to worship these health organizations? It would have been absolute chaos.

    In retrospect, Trump fared very well given the predicament he was in. He was trying to navigate the many layers of this global psyop campaign, in additional to nationwide Soros-funded BLM riots, all while trying to win reelection, immediately after he just got done fending off the 3 year “Russian collusion” psyop…

    The blanket criticisms of Trump’s handling of Covid are short-sighted and lack nuance.”

    Liked by 1 person

  27. SMH – seriously????

    NF: This is what I’ve said all along since I was a bowler and hated golf: “At least the ball comes back to you!”

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I was bowling on 2 league teams when I was pregnant with my son. I quit the more challenging group after I fell at 8 mos. LOL

        Liked by 1 person

              1. It just came naturally to me. My Mom was an avid bowler, too. When we were living in NE in 2008-2009, she and I went to the State tournament as part of the team from Madison. We got a trophy but IDR what for now. We were runners-up. I also bowled on a league when I was in the Army.

                Liked by 1 person

              3. In fact, I’ll brag a little bit: I’ve still got my 200/500 pins, i.e., a 200 game and a 500 series (3 games).

                Liked by 1 person

              9. Yes, I did actually – but I developed tendonitis in my right elbow and tunnel carpal. I couldn’t hold the weight of the ball anymore. I preferred not to bowl at all vs. using a kid’s ball that was only 8 lbs!!! LOL – I always used a 12 lb ball.

                Liked by 1 person

              10. my dad loved to bowl. he was a righty all his life till he ripped the tendon (?) in his upper arm and couldn’t hold the ball right any more. So, he became a lefty bowler–that’s how much he loved it. when he passed, he had 3 bowling balls and bags.

                Liked by 1 person

              11. Oh, I wasn’t an avid bowler. It was fun but….I usually preferred outdoor activities. I only had one and sold it at a garage sale I had here when I was trying to raise some $$$ for my GS.

                Liked by 1 person

  30. “Ilhan Omar Calls For Day Of Mourning Over Hostages Rescued”

    U.S. · Jun 8, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    Article Image

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Ilhan Omar has called for a National Day of Mourning in light of the news that four Israeli hostages were rescued this morning.

    “I am deeply grieved by the tragic rescue of four of our hostages this morning,” said Omar, fighting back tears. “They were taken from us far too soon, after only 245 days in captivity. I am hereby calling for a National Day of Mourning over their safe return to Israel.”

    According to sources, Omar broke out into sobs upon learning the devastating news of the hostages’ rescue. “If only Israel had listened to Biden, none of this would have happened,” said Omar. “It pains me to see their smiling faces as they reunite with friends and family. The only silver lining is that none of the American hostages were rescued, praise Allah.”

    As a sign of mourning, Omar will fly the Palestinian flag outside of her office at half-staff. Aides report that Omar will meet up with fellow representatives Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to support each other during this difficult time. The group plans to go down to the Holocaust Museum for a little pick-me-up, and then go out for ice cream.

    At publishing time, Omar had been seen weeping outside Senator Fetterman’s door as his team celebrated taking down the posters of the four rescued hostages.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. “As Prosecution Rests, Hunter Biden Asks If This Is A Good Time To Go Out Back Behind The Dumpsters For A Minute For No Particular Reason”

    U.S. · Jun 7, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    Article Image

    WILMINGTON, DE — As the prosecution in the Hunter Biden trial rests its case, several reports from within the courtroom indicate that the defendant Hunter Biden has just asked the judge if this might be a good time for him to just kinda sidle out back behind the court dumpsters for, say, just a minute or two no real reason in particular.

    According to eyewitnesses in the trial, Hunter Biden had been sweating, drumming his fingers on the table, rubbing glazed eyes, and tapping his foot increasingly faster and faster before leaning over to his lawyers and whispering to them for a minute as the prosecution finished its statements. Abbe Lowell, head defense counsel for Biden, then stood up and addressed the judge.

    “Your Honor, my client would like to be excused for a minute, please,” Lowell declared as Hunter displayed signs of panic and started drooling and making poof-poof noises with his mouth behind him. “What? No, no reason at all. He just…wants to…stretch his legs? Or something? Like, if this is a good time, is he really needed in the courtroom?”

    Upon receiving the judge’s permission, Hunter casually and politely waved aside a bailiff’s offer to accompany him outside, then darted out behind a dumpster. Small white puffs of smoke were later seen rising from that general vicinity.

    At publishing time, Hunter had reentered the courtroom looking much more comfortable but just a little bit disoriented.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Just The News: “French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced that he would dissolve the French Parliament and hold elections on June 30 and July 7.

    The decision comes after the right showed substantial gains in the European Union election this weekend, according to The Guardian.”

    Liked by 1 person

  35. “The plane was caught in a hail storm over Austria… The incident occurred this evening at an altitude of 6000 meters near the city of Hartberg. The aircraft landed safely at Vienna Airport… OMG!”

    ————————-

    “Up to 1 million gallons of sewage to be released into Hudson River each day: Where to avoid”

    By Tom Shea, NBCNewYork• Published June 7, 2024 • Updated on June 7, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesTARRYTOWN, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 14: The New York City skyline is viewed looking down the Hudson River with the George Washington Bridge in the front on November 14, 2020 in Tarrytown, New York.

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Boaters and especially swimmers will want to avoid part of the Hudson River in Westchester County, as up to a million gallons of sewage is expected to be dumped into the water just north of New York City every day.

    The Westchester County Department of Health said Friday that recreational activities in the water from Peekskill down to Yonkers should be avoided starting the weekend of June 8 and going until further notice. The department said that Croton Park Beach and Philise Manor Beach will be closed for the time being as well.

    The Croton River should also be avoided from 100 Croton River Road to the Hudson River, the health department said.

    The advisory comes after the county’s Department of Environmental Facilities said it was working to repair a section of 24-inch cast iron pipe after a break in a sewer force main in Ossining. The pipe needs to be excavated, then the section will be cut out and replaced before encased in concrete.

    As those repairs are going on, partially treated sewage will be discharged at Croton River Road in Ossining, according to the health department. Until the repair is completed and the force main is back in service, up to one million gallons of partially treated sewage is expected to be released into the Hudson River every single day, the health department said.

    Depending on tides, water quality from Peekskill to Yonkers could be impacted.

    The county health department will monitor the situation and will allow the beaches to reopen once the sewage dumping stops and repairs are done. More information is available at the county health department’s website.”

    Liked by 1 person

  37. here’s a novel theory

    Alex1689

    Alex1689

    June 9, 2024 4:05 pm

    So now Hamas has a legit beef with the US if the “humanitarian pier” was used to stage a “rescue operation ” that killed over 200 civilians.

    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-admits-role-israeli-rescue-operation-reportedly-killed-over-200-palestinians

    Our guys are getting set up for another Beirut.

    Nothing about this smells right. The lies are thicker than flies on a corpse in the sun.

    Sorry, I’m not buying any of it. There’s as good a chance the 4 “hostages” were just Mossad all along as anything else – hanging out for months, playing cards and eating baklava while the Globalists press spun stories.

    It’s a Set Up.

    Bring our troops home.

    Dismantle that pier.

    Liked by 1 person

  42. I am adding a short daily prayer to the board. I would invite each of you, if you wish, to also add one or maybe two of your own liking. I do not want to stifle anyone but please limit yourself to one or two religious postings. here’s one I found that I liked.

    Like

  45. Might as well tell you this.
    You know how I always joked about tackling a deer. I almost had to do that today. No I’m not kidding.

    Deer is in the backyard all day and ate all my flowers.
    Totally chill as always. Now I know they have babies now and so I don’t let the dog out by herself for that reason.

    The deer leaves. I wait a little and go out to refill the bird feeder and the bird bath. The dog is less than 10 to 15 feet away sniffing in the lilies. I look up and the damn deer is standing right above the dog. I was like oh shit. The dog starts to come when I call her and the deer tries to kick her, beagle backs up and starts running up the hill while the deer tries to kick her again. Now I know running down hill at a deer NOT the best thing to do but I needed to save my dog. I was clucking only the plastic bird container running down the hill barefoot. Yes barefoot don’t ask. The dog goes past me but stops behind me in case I need backup. That’s my baby!

    The deer stops because I’m waving the plastic thing and yelling at it in German and it clearly sees the murder in my eyes and backs off. Yes I was ready to make deer steaks,

    Mom with her bad knee was ready to come flying down the stairs to help.

    Puppy is ok. She was fast and not hit. Plus her size helped. But damn.

    I know they can be aggressive when it comes to there babies but I’ve never had one jump into the yard and try to attack the dog when I’m 10 feet away.
    So heads up everyone.
    I’ve read it’s becoming more common now a days.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh my goodness…I wanna be in your corner here kea, but I’m laughing too hard at the visual.
      but i totally get it! hell i went out on our deck banging 2 big pots to get the big ass cinnamon bear out of my irises and out of the pond–didn’t work. hubby fired off the shotgun…didn’t work. she left when she wanted to.
      but the deer probably had her little one tucked away close…and those hooves can be hard and sharp. glad the pup was okay!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I know I know. LOL

        So much for watering the flowers barefoot 😛

        I now go out with her and a massive walking stick. There will be no take two.

        Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.