A Seal is Born

Article Photos

A Hawaiian monk seal that had been hanging out for a couple of weeks at Koki Beach in Hana gave birth Friday. Photographer and graphic artist Tom Johnson spotted yellow tape at the beach on his way home from Hamoa Beach, asked around and learned from the coconut telegraph that a new baby was present. He took pictures of mother and pup at 8 a.m. Sunday.

A volunteer watching the seals on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told him the baby was about 48 hours old.

Spectators kept their distance, warned by a yellow sign, and surfers also maintained a respectful (and legal) no-go space.