Category: Bimini 2007

I’m beginning to feel a bit more rested, but I must admit that Thursday & Friday were a bit of a blur.  I did some much needed tidying & organizing while catching up on some office-like duties and finishing up the boat clean-up from the Orange Cay adventure.  Today (Saturday) the afternoon was filled with two spotted dolphin mother/calf pairs.  Trip #31 left the dock at 1641 and soon included the dolphins who seemed quite content to have the boat near them for the occasional bow ride.  We observed the animals (including un-named #57 & 84 –

Well, we made it.  And I’d say it was a successful trip.  We did not run into any more dolphins on the way home, but hey, I can’t be greedy, right?  The weather was agreeable & for that I am grateful.  It was definitely a long three days, so after unloading the boat & a quick dinner I’m ready for a good long sleep.    Until next time, 

It was a good morning, which was nice since last night left quite a bit to be desired.   The night was filled with scattered squalls & although most of them avoided the boat for the most part, the boat did not stop rocking for even a minute.  But, the afternoon made up for it –

Wow.  Today was very long & very good.  After finishing all of the prep work last night in time to get to sleep at 1 a.m., it was up at 6:00 a.m.

You read correctly!  I’ll be out of touch for a few days as I venture out into the unknown!  Today was spent prepping gear & food for a three day boat trip.  I’m exhausted and we’re scheduled to leave the dock at 7:00 – so I better go get some rest.  Stay tuned for details of the trip!!    Until then, 

Hi everyone!  It looks like it will just be me, Kel, posting field reports for the remainder of the summer.  Our interns were great & I hope that they are enjoying their time at the DCP office in Connecticut.  As for me, my quick jaunt to the states was a whirlwind, but a welcomed one.  I returned yesterday (Friday) and today I was able to hop on a last minute dolphin trip.  It was an incredible one!  Conservatively there were thirty – that’s 3-0 – Atlantic spotted dolphins. 

Yesterday was busy with last minute work & island adventures.  Today, we woke early to catch breakfast with some island friends at Captain Bob’s before Tabby caught the water taxi to South Bimini for her airplane ride home.  It has been great to have Tabby here – and everyone on the island wishes her well.  Kel was busy too – she is also going to the US, but by boat!  It is her first “crossing” (Bimini to Florida – across the Gulf Stream) and she’s very excited. 

Yesterday, Tabby & I took a dolphin-free day.  Eight dolphin trips in a row, although very welcomed, are very tiring.  Today we slowly got back in the groove, with the aquarium phone link, field reports, data entry & video logging.  Then in the evening we got a treat & went dusk fishing with a friend & his out of town family.  It was a great day.  Tomorrow we’ll try to balance fun & work, as it is Tabby’s last day.    Until then,  Kel &

Tabby spent the morning snorkeling & SCUBA diving at Turtle Rocks, an area just south of Bimini.  We both reviewed some video after lunch before heading to dolphin trip #29.  It was a small group, some of whom have been with us since the start of this busy boat run last Saturday.  The dolphins however were apparently not very keen to come by the boat.  Toward the end of the day we did see Tina (#14) and un-named #78, who were interested in some bow riding, but not in any human swimming. 

Today we first saw a group of bottlenose dolphins at 1741.  There were at least 7 individuals present, but after a few minutes of observation one of the largest in the group came to the bow, gave two loud exhalations and a forceful tail slap on the surface of the water.  We, along with the crew, decided that we would err on the side of caution & interpret this behavior as one of irritation.  So, we decided to check out the splashes that were in the distance.