Category: Bimini 2009

We’ve been spending our time on land getting lots of data processed, including still photos, general video logging, pec fin contact logging and data entry. After a few days on land, we were ready to be on the boat.

Today started out pretty promising seeing bottlenose dolphins early on in our trip. We saw 2 at 1702 not too far off from shore and Kel got to take some shots of their dorsal fins. After seeing the bottlenose our spirits were lifted and we were on a search for more dolphins. We headed further out and after about an hour and a half of no sightings we decided to take a swim break to cool off and regroup.

Saturday’s dolphin trip was cancelled due to a huge thunderstorm that was headed our way.  Luckily, the storm cleared up and we were able to reschedule for today (Sunday).  It was clear skies and the boat pulled out of the harbor around 1620.  We were out for about an hour and a half without any sightings so we decided to stop for a swim break to cool down.  Everybody jumped in and got recharged for the last hour and a half of the trip.  After a few possible sightings (@1843, 1847, & 1858) it was starting to get dark

Our trip today was full of guests and luckily also full of dolphins. We had our first sighting at 1710 in the distance. As we got closer we realized we had at least 8 bottlenose dolphins. They appeared to be sticking around so at 1716 Vicki hopped in and took some pictures while Kel took… Continue reading Beautiful day with lots of dolphins

We started Wednesday aboard the Shedd Aquarium’s boat, R/V Coral Reef II, where Kel gave a talk to Chicagoland school teachers about DCP, what she’s doing here in Bimini and what DCP hopes to accomplish in the future.  They invited us to stay for lunch and all we had to do in return was talk more about dolphins;

So Monday’s trip started with looming rain to the west of us, but don’t worry it broke up throughout the trip and we never felt a drop! We proceeded out for a delightful snorkel swim at a location thought (by some) to be part of the lost city of Atlantis. After a 30 minute exploration… Continue reading Boat full of people, ocean full of dolphins…

We spent Sunday morning beginning our review of 2008 video data for DCP’s on-going pectoral fin study. The dolphin trip was not scheduled until 1600, but started off with a bang – a bottlenose sighting only 20 min.

Saturday’s dolphin trip was quite the adventure! The day began with a nice snorkel swim at “3 Sisters” for about 30 minutes and then it was on to the real show. We got a glimpse of our first group of about 5 Atlantic spotted dolphins at 1737. Then our trip was filled with a very large (at least 30!) group of spotted dolphins, including a number of young calves. Everyone onboard was amazed at how rare a site they were seeing and an even more rare experience in the water with them.

Sunday’s dolphin trip, Vicki’s and Alexis’ first, was filled with bottlenose. After telling the interns and the passengers how little we know about Bimini’s bottlenose dolphins, how unpredictable and skittish they can be, etc., everyone got to observe them under water for TWO HOURS! It was amazing. Kel filled the memory card of the surface camera. Alexis’ camera battery died. Vicki nearly filled her camera. The MVA recorded 30 minutes of data. And we were all exhausted.

Today began with a guest talk to Shedd Aquarium’s high school marine biology field program. I shared details about DCP, the dolphins and how I came to be in this field. Soon after, I met up with the 2009 summer interns, Alexis and Vicki, who arrived on Bimini this morning. Stay tuned for field reports from them! Then, at about 1300 the phone rang with news of a 1600 dolphin swim. I pulled together my gear and headed down to the dock. The afternoon began with a strong east wind, but it wasn’t too bad in the dolphin grounds.