Even as our week begins to wind down, our mornings start early. This DCP team is a group of early risers! Perfect for catching the morning sun, best underwater visibility and social dolphins! You can see everyone preparing to take their positions around the enclosure for the best observer positions ... and maybe also for the occasional game of seaweed toss with the younger dolphins!
This morning presented the best underwater clarity of the week, so far. Very little silt or precipitate in the water, clear for at least 6 m ... and also social dolphins.
Observing the dolphins underwater and recording their behavior onto video cards or tapes equates to also being required to recognize each dolphin by her/his scars and marks. For the most part, here at RIMS/AKR, we can use the rake marks that are caused by other dolphin teeth during play or aggression. These rake marks are parallel white lines. They heal pretty quickly, but will remain for the week of data collection.
Coordinating with the trainers to confirm each dolphin's marks is key to being able to readily recognize the dolphins.
This morning saw the MVA2 (second array built) with a second added camera! Typically, we have a GoPro mounted on the left top of the housing to get a wider perspective and be able to confirm IDs of all the dolphins visible in the view finder.
Three half-hour underwater sessions of data collection filled our morning! Everyone was VERY vocal - lots of whistling, click trains, buzzing, brays and more. Even Carmella was into the action and whistling with bubble streams. The early morning session had all but two dolphins in the main area, including Ronnie and French.
Today was a great day with roughly an hour of MVA2 video data collected! It was a welcome change from last year when Ronnie decided I was his play-toy! I was in the water by 6:40 AM and spent the first 30 minutes reacquainting myself with the dolphins, and vice versa. Calli, Elli, Lenca and Champ have grown noticeably. Each has a few rake marks that will allow more rapid confirmation of their IDs.
My 2015 RIMS research team was great with their observations and assistance.
Our team arrived in three waves on three different airlines. John, Ron and I arrived first on Roatan, at 11:40! 30 minutes early! Jillian and Jess arrived next about 45 minutes later followed by Bill, Jeanne, Lance, Chris and Dave. By early afternoon, we were all enjoying our first lunch and settling in to our rooms.
I was able to connect with Denry and Eldon to confirm that I could get into the water at 6:30 AM tomorrow … I sprang the early AM plan on my team at dinner.
Our bags are packed, each bit of gear snuggled compactly in each case. Of course, with Halloween the last day of our trip, I had to include a few "treats" for the trip.
I'm looking forward to this annual return to Roatan and Anthony's Key to connect with colleagues at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) but especially to see the dolphins.
John and I depart on Saturday morning, as does the rest of our 2015 RIMS/AKR team participating in DCP's 2015 eco-tour! Some of us will meet in Atlanta, some in Houston and a couple in Miami as we wing our way to Roatan. But, we all arrive by mid-day on Saturday for a week of data collection ... and of course, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, dolphin observations and more. My MVA2 is packed and ready to go. It will be great to have a team of folks again this year.
Kathleen is teaching short course on animal behavior from 12-19 March 2016, at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. There are only a few student spaces left! With accommodations at Anthony's Key Resort, this field course will be amazing!
Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information, look under the Education tab -> College Courses -> Animal Behavior
(Photo credit: J.
Biiiiig news, friends! You can now opt for an electronic adopt-a-wild-dolphin kit! That's right, a completely paper, ink & shipping free way to support DCP & learn about dolphins!
All adoptive parents will now have the option to select an electronic kit ($30) or a hard copy kit ($35)!
Both kits contain lots of details about the dolphin you adopt but also about DCP's programs overall.