Another very packed day was had by all of us! Our boat was waiting for us at 6:15 AM for our aquatic trek to Bailey’s Key. The dolphins were waiting.
The forgotten title was something good … but we are a bit tired from all the activity today!
Our day was full! We started with good surface activity and space use data collection, as well as observing Kathleen with the dolphins. We were able to collect activity levels and panoramic photos, too. After breakfast, Dr. K gave his physiology lecture and regaled the students with fun tidbits that were engaging and educational.
After our second dolphin observation session, we had a yummy breakfast and then a brief informal discussion about sampling protocols. Then, we boarded a shuttle bus followed by a boat for a trip to Maya Key. The island is part of AKR and has rescue/rehabilitated animals.
This morning was our first dolphin observation session – we met the dolphins at Bailey’s Key for the first time. We also learned how to recognize the individual dolphins and spent time snorkeling with the fish and learned how to ID many species of fishes. It was a busy day … and we share our recollections and impressions below.
Camille – I found the fish ID talk very interesting and I’m looking forward to using some of the techniques in observations he talked about to look for different behaviors in the fish when we are snorkeling.
Before we go any further … we are mostly all here!
The group from Miami arrived early afternoon (on time, with no delay, and a smooth flight) and got to Anthony’s Key Resort to settle in and get the data collection gear ready.
The group from Denver, on the other hand, had some delays.
Happy New Year! We at DCP hope everyone has a festive and safe new year celebration and that 2022 will be a year of lessening pandemic issues, as well as a year of new experiences and learning.
Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin Print Kit + Bracelet Bundle is back! For just $49, including shipping*, receive a Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin print kit and DCP-Edition Dolphin Wanderer Bracelet. Select dolphins only. Offer available until 16 December, 2021. While supplies last. And yes! This bundle also qualifies for 3 free DCP stickers! Click here to order.
*Free standard shipping to US addresses is included.
Our last AM data collection session was filled with many exciting interactions and all kinds of switch-a-roos – between adult females and calves and young dolphins playing amongst themselves! After a fortifying breakfast, we returned to Bailey’s Key to meet Maury and Poli during our encounters, and then to swim with the dolphins! The swim was amazing!! It was a lot of group swimming, some speed swims, lots of interest by Poli and Sandy in several of us. There was also some rough housing between Rocky and Buzz.
The dolphins were playful again this morning. There were some side leaps, some chases, and lots of seagrass and seedpod play. Our observations were ‘dry’ as the rain held off until breakfast. The downpour postponed our encounter and swim from this morning to tomorrow morning because the underwater visibility dropped severely. So, we shifted to some indoor and some outdoor (between rain drops) activities. We had a brief career informal discussion followed by more inter-tidal critter GIS tagging and a bit of data entry.
Our water taxi ride at 6:15 AM was smooth and deposited us to Bailey’s Key where the dolphins were playful and engaged! We had several mom/calf pairs swimming all around and almost everyone playing! Sandy was never without a blade of seagrass. Buzz and Rocky wrestled and mouthed at each other. And, there was much allo-parenting (i.e., babysitting) ongoing. Bailey hung out with Calli and her calf. Poli swam with Gracie’s calf … while Gracie was close by and monitoring. And Elli seemed to herd her calf away from Maury.