Monk Seal Monday #13: Spotted Me | October 2012 | Edition: 1/1 NFT | License: Extended Editorial

My first experience photographing a "weaner," a pup that has recently been weaned after 6-7 weeks of nursing was #MonkSealRL42 in October 2012.

She is doing her best to look like one of the rocks around her, a great part of their natural defense, allowing them to blend into the surroundings on Hawaii's beaches. She was tucked in among some rocks napping, when a large wave splashed over her and woke her up.

As she looked around, she spotted me taking this picture.

RL42 doesn't have an "official" unofficial nickname, but some call her Leia, a shortened version of a nickname bestowed on her in 2012: Mokulēʻia, her place of birth. Though my first experience with her was as this little weaner, she has grown into one of our adult females with several pups of her own. It brings the experience of being a volunteer full circle.

The Monk Seal Monday collection is 20 images curated from more than 10 years of photographing one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, the Hawaiian monk seal. Only 1,400 remain and 30% of those are here today due to the direct intervention of the organizations working to conserve them. I have spent thousands of hours doing education and outreach as a volunteer on the beaches with these beautiful animals.

I've also been doing Monk Seal Monday posts on social media for longer than I can remember and will continue to do so every Monday. Despite all our best efforts, this is a species hanging in the balance. I hope my Monk Seal post each Monday helps call attention to this beautiful animal and the work to conserve them for future generations. Now, with NFTs curated from these Monk Seal Monday images, I hope to do more.

A portion of the proceeds from each sale in this collection will be donated to the non-profit organizations on the front lines of rescuing this species from extinction.

Jason O'Rourke is an award-winning wildlife and landscape photographer living in Hawaii, recognized by National Geographic YourShot, Outdoor Photographer, Hawaii Magazine, Digital Photo, American Photo, the Los Angeles Times, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, PhotoCon Hawaii, and Turtle Bay Resort.

Extended Editorial License: Can be used to display privately, or in commercial and non-commercial settings, or in groups with an unlimited number of participants. The License includes unlimited use and display in virtual or physical galleries, documentaries, and essays by the NFT holder. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works.