@chrispederick Magnificent!
@chrispederick At Hookipa Beach here on Maui, it is not unusal to see 18+ just resting on the beach. They have had to put a barrier round them because of the crowds coming to see them
@crossingthethreshold I've swam with sea turtles multiple times off Kauai. An experience like no other. My wife also had a monk seal beach itself practically next to her in Poipu while I was out snorkeling. And we saw sea turtles taking a snooze on a black sand beach on the Big Island. (And no wonder, rough surf that day for them to be in.)
@retrophisch I have definitely seen an increase in sea turtles since I started visiting the islands about 12 years ago. Even in the three years since we moved here (or back here in my wife's case) there has been a noticeable increase. And then there is their fearlessness of humans, I because of their protected status...which also speaks to the increase in numbers. But I have never seen a monk seal!
@crossingthethreshold From 2012: retrophisch.micro.blog/our-frien...
My wife told me my back was to the seal as she swam by me, passing within about 6-10 feet of me.