Category: Bimini 2008

 Although we only gathered a short clip of video data, we did have a long day of observing Atlantic spotted dolphins.  We came upon three separate sub-groups of mostly adults & sub-adults – who were much more interested in themselves than us as they cruised south at 3 knots in a busy mating ball.  This is always cool to watch, although a bit disappointed not to have the underwater view. But, we did see: Buster (#04), Lumpy (#17), Split Jaw (#22), Lone Star (#56), Billy (#64), un-named #78, 79 & 87. 

The forecast is in our favor for the remainder of the week, so hopefully we'll get some quality data collected.  Tomorrow will be trip #36 of the season & one of the last for Tabby & Adam.  So, we hope it is a good one!  We'll let you know… Until then,Kel, Tabby &

 This week has not included boat time, but that has given us a little time off, a little video time, a little photo-ID time and more… We also had the opportunity to assist at a local swim camp, where folks from the Bimini Biological Field Station (aka SharkLab) gave the kids a casual talk on the sharks of Bimini.  Tabby & Adam then visited the Shark Lab today (thanks SharkLab!) while Kel chatted with Chicago area teachers onboard the Shedd Aquarium’s research vessel.  It’s been a great land-based week! 

You would think that these observations, plus the crystal clear water would be enough to make us feel like kids on Christmas, but the extra exciting piece is that White Blotch’s calf (affectionately called “Little Dot”) has her first spots!!  They may still be too faint to officially add her to the catalog, but now we have high hopes that, as Little Dot grows, we will actually know that she was the calf born to White Blotch in 2004.  Yay!  An afternoon trip tomorrow, then, perhaps, a day off,  Kel, Tabby &

We also saw Tina (#14), Lil’ Jess (#35), Cerra (#38), Niecey (#48), un-named #89 (we think), 2 calves and several other adults.  It was a busy a day and we’ll have plenty of still photographs to ID, but unfortunately we came away with no video – who knew that the camera had been recording under its cover the whole trip out!  We were pretty bummed, but are hoping that tomorrow’s morning trip will make up for it.  Until next time, Kel, Tabby &

 Sunday’s dolphin trip was cancelled and Monday’s did not go past the introductory snorkel stop.  With sea sick passengers and more storms approaching, we headed back to the dock without getting to observe any dolphins.  But, chin up!  Tomorrow is our weekly passenger round-table discussion & then, hopefully, a sunny dolphin trip!  -Kel, Tabby &

 Well, today marked the end of this “dolphin week,” and although we did not get any video data, we did observe Romeo (#10), Lil’ Jess (#35), a sub-adult and a very old adult from the bow.  It was a nice end to a good week & we were all pleased that the winds died down a bit.  A big thank you to all this week’s guests – their enthusiasm was contagious!  We hope that you all enjoy following along with DCP &

Before we left the dock today the boat captain warned us that today would likely be a surface observation-only day – it looked to be too rough to get in the water.  So, we looked for dolphins for about an hour & a half, then anchored close to shore for the next hour & a half.  While the guests snorkeled, we stayed on the lookout for passing dolphins.  None came, but we cruised north for a bit longer before turning south & heading home. 

  It’s been a busy two days here in Bimini.  Monday & Tuesday mornings were spent logging video – this is the process by which we review video data & note which dolphins are in view at any given moment.  It is a very time consuming process, but it is the first step in almost any analysis – so we make sure to do it well once, so that other DCP researchers already know who they are looking at! 

  Today we headed out with a new group of dolphin passengers.  We were watching the radar all morning, as the last two days were squall filled.  Luckily we found the dolphins early.  It was a group of 12 bottlenose with a single, adult, male spotted dolphin.  This is atypical for Bimini.  When we do see mixed species groups, it is normally a couple of bottlenose dolphins joining a spotted group.  We’ll have to review the video & try to identify the spotted….Included in the group was Tt06 (pictured here).