Category: Bimini 2008

So, Bulldogs, my name is Kelly Melillo.  I thought that we could start with a sort of internet scavenger hunt to help you get to know me, DCP, our dolphins and our website.  Read below – work together & share your answers with your teachers:What does DCP stand for?  Can you find the What is DCP link?  We study 3 different species (types) of dolphins in 3 different countries – do you know what they are?  When we study wild dolphins away from the United States, do we chase or touch them? 

Yesterday was a day-mostly-off & I headed out for a quick boat ride with friends.  The seas were a bit rough, but we were surprised by a group of 5 bottlenose dolphin right outside of the Bimini harbor!  We observed them from the boat for a bit, while I had the chance to exercise DCP’s new digital SLR camera.  This camera allows me to capture still images of bottlenose dorsal fins as they break the surface of the water, which in turns allows me to track these dolphins over time through photo-identification. 

Saturday’s impromptu dolphin trip was interesting, to say the very least.  We left the dock (with DCP research associate Darcie Blanding with us!) shortly before 1630, watching the skies fill with dark clouds.  We saw dolphins relatively quickly and had an amazing underwater observation.  Present were Tina (#14), Split Jaw (#22), Niecey (#48, pictured and possibly with her calf), un-named #78 and #25 with swollen mammaries and a small calf!  This is likely #25’s first calf, so it was very exciting for all of us. 

Yesterday was nice as the winds had finally calmed, but the dolphins certainly tested our patience.  We saw a group of 3 adults just before sunset.  They had some mild interest in the boat, but seemed to be traveling slowly south.  We were able to watch them for nearly 30 minutes and the passengers got a quick glimpse underwater.  Now things slow down a bit in terms of boat time, so I’ll be spending time going through video, sorting photos, etc. 

a very large shark…The shark, most likely a tiger shark, was conservatively 10 feet long and cruising past the boat at about mid-water column.  Perhaps this was why the dolphins were acting so odd.  By then it was time to head back to the dock, so we said goodnight to the dolphins – and the shark.Today began rough, so we stayed within the relative shelter of the island.  We received word from another boat that there was a tiger shark in the area (the same one?), so we wondered what we might encounter. 

We first came upon the group of spotteds shortly before 1730.  We saw Tina (#14), Split Jaw (#22), Billy (#64), Nemo (#76), Leslie (#80) and un-named #78 and 87.  We also saw a first for me – at the same moment in the water, I was able to observe a known mother (#57), her offspring (#84, approximately 4 years old) and likely, her new calf!  The new calf was “clean,” meaning it had no spots, scars or other re-identifiable markings, so it cannot be added to our catalog.  It was so cool! 

This morning was busy, catching up on neglected email before heading out in search of dolphins.  The winds were finally calm; it felt like summer!  The sea was picture perfect flat as I looked overboard counting the sea stars on the seafloor.  Then, at approximately 1530, I saw them.  At 11 o’clock dorsal fins broke the surface.  As we headed toward them, we were greeted by Split Jaw (#22), a young juvenile and, I think, Tim (#69).  As they rode the bow, we were soon surrounded by bottlenose dolphins. 

The workshop was held at the Atlantis Resort and we were introduced to their bottlenose dolphins and lab facilities.  Thanks to their staff for their warm welcome and their support of the network in the future.  We were also able to chat with representatives from UNEXSO (Freeport, Bahamas) and Dolphin Encounters (Nassau) who have also expressed their willingness to support the Bimini section of the stranding network should the need arise.  We’ll need it!After all the great education and conversation we were able to visit Dolphin Encounters (DE), one of DCP’s field sites. 

Wednesday we were able to observe a group of bottlenose – and it looked as though they were feeding.  Their dorsal fins were difficult to see amid the breaking waves, but I think I got at least a few useable ID photographs.  On Thursday, we left for calmer snorkeling waters before we saw any dolphins.  This brought us past the same area where we saw our offshore bottlenose “friends,” so I was on the look-out. 

After observing this group underwater for about 30 minutes we headed back to shore with Tina (#14) and two other juveniles on our bow for over 10 minutes.  At 1746 they were done with their ride and presumably left to join back up with their group.  Then, at 1827 we saw at least 5 bottlenose dolphins off the shore of Bimini and paused for a quick look.