Our first day of data collection for this session began well! One hour of video collected and Ronnie was not as curious about me as in previous years! He was the first to greet me (as this image can attest), but it was more Lenca, Champ and Mac (the three young boys) who spent time trying to rough-house around me during both my early morning and second morning sessions!
We had really good underwater visibility at ~6:40 AM when the first session began. I was able to view most of the 23 dolphins underwater at least once.
Most of us arrived on one of three flights from the USA - via Miami, Houston or Atlanta. It was wonderful to arrive to Roatan and to be reminded as we deplaned of the warm tropical weather and breeze! Once we were checked in at Anthony's Key Resort, I was able to get weights for me, the MVA2 and the SM2M.
October 20, 2016
Saturday begins DCP’s 2016 Eco-tour to Anthony’s Key Resort (AKR) and the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS). This DCP eco-tour trip is unique for several reasons, not the least of which is that it represents the largest trip to-date. Not only to RIMS/AKR but of any DCP eco-tour since we began in 2000! We have several “repeat offenders” – some who’ve been DCP supporters since 1992! We have a few individuals new to the DCP-RIMS eco-tour, but not new to DCP.
Due to upcoming field schedules and access to email, e-kit adoption orders received between 21 - 31 October may not be filled until 1 November.
Humble Bundle has just launched its End of Summer Sale! DCP has the opportunity to benefit until the sale ends on September 22nd. Simply head to Humble Bumble and 5% of your purchase will support DCP!
There are thousands of games offered on the Humble Store with sales happening every day. And, when you buy a cross-platform game, you get a version for each available OS. Buy. Support DCP. Play.
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is considered by many to be the rarest and most-endangered species of marine mammal in the world. in May 2016, the population size of the vaquita is considered to be 60, based on the results of a 2015 vessel survey and acoustic study. It is the smallest of only seven species of true porpoises, and is the only one that lives in warm waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Though I hope to be on a few day trips later this month, Monday was my last scheduled dolphin trip of 2016. And, it was a great one! We departed shortly after 1500 and with a tip from another operator, we spent extra time searching an area right at the edge of the shallow and deep waters. At 1619 we were rewarded with bottlenose dolphins! We observed them from the surface for nearly 20 minutes (and saw a group of spotted dolphins nearby!).
Sunday began the final dolphin week of Bimini Adventures' 2016 season. Though it was strange to prep for a boat trip without Nicole, I was happy to meet the new guests and search for dolphins in calm seas. About 45 minutes into the trip, the guests had their first swim break, giving them an opportunity to test their snorkel gear, practice getting on and off the boat and generally acclimate themselves to Bimini's waters. It was not long after this that I saw a splash. It was far, but it was big and soon crewman Michael saw it too.
Thursday was the final boat trip for this week's Bimini Adventures group. It was also Nicole's last boat trip of the season so we were very optimistic that it was going to be a good one! The weather was on our side and the guests saw true, Bimini sunshine for the first time.
Wednesday was yet another cloudy, windy, drizzly day but we set off as usual at 1500, hoping our weather luck would change and our dolphin luck would get even better. Sure enough, less than an hour into our trip (and with lighter winds and no rain) we came across a group of 10 Atlantic spotted dolphins! The waves made it difficult to identify individuals from the boat but Nicole saw at least one female that we know from the White Sand Ridge group. After some good surface observations, we decided to try an underwater encounter.