Our morning was photo-ID filled! We had a ton of pictures to work through and by lunch we were able to confirm 7 individuals. Split Jaw (#22), White Blotch (#29), Niecey (#48), Billy (#64), Leslie (#80) and un-named #78 and 84. Niecey was ID’s once we looked at the underwater video data, a twist since we normally start with still photos.
Category: Bimini 2009
Was that a shark? I think that was a shark…
Our morning
Why dolphins smile and researchers cry….
Monday morning’s discussion was all about eco-tourism – pros, cons and challenges. After experiencing interactions with wild dolphins first hand, for most us, our opinions did not change, but were strengthened. Research in collaboration with eco-tourism is important and should inform the managing bodies. An overall passion for protecting the marine environment was evident and this protection should be the priority with tourism second. The conversation then took a broader turn as we discussed our personal choices and those of our towns, universities, etc.
The Great Escape
Sunday morning’s discussion covered more on group living in dolphins. We discussed coefficients of associations, the role of kinship and trends among first time dolphin mothers. During our photo-ID lab, we ID’d Tina (#14), Cleopatra (#41), Nemo (#76) and un-named #25 from yesterday’s trip. There are still three animals that need to be identified from our photographs.
Don’t rock the boat…baby…
Saturday morning’s class discussion on was on DCP’s video/acoustic system, the MVA. We’d seen Kel with it on the boat, but today we headed to the beach and each of us got a chance to “use” the MVA. On the beach, it was very heavy – and it is wide! It was less intimidating in the water, but challenging. We protected the hydrophones while the other class members pretended to be dolphins (there was even some “pec rubbing” observed!). After a short “free swim” at the beach, it was time for photo-ID.
Conch Shell Mountain
Friday began with a discussion of group living in cetaceans, including the use of pectoral fin contact in dolphins. We were able to review some of our photographs and made a positive ID of un-named #84. ID #84 has a crescent shape scar on the left side of her body. She also has some white scarring on her right side and now has scattered spots (she is a juvenile). We were also able to add a new dolphin to DCP’s photo-ID catalog! This animal will be given the ID #91.
Good things come to those who wait….
During this morning’s discussion (Thursday) on behavioral ethograms, we dispelled misconceptions that an ethogram is a complicated machine…We also watched some of the surface video that was collected on Wednesday.On today’s dolphin survey we saw two patches of rain in the distance, each of which had a developing water spout! For most of us, it was the first we’d ever seen. Early on, we passed an ecotour boat that was observing a group of dolphins. In an attempt not to crowd the dolphins, our boat kept its distance.
“We’re on a boat….”
After our morinng discussions on research methods and photo-ID work, we headed to the boat. We met two British tourists and because of their addition, we completed our dolphin survey on a larger vessel. We saw our first group of spotted dolphins at 16:29. There were 12 animals in this group, including Billy (#64) and Nemo (#76). We were able to get in the water this group and observe some mating behavior! These behaviors were among three juveniles, so is considered socio-sexual play.
Sacred Heart University + Bimini
Monday, we arrived safely on Bimini, after a long trip from Connecticut. For some of us, it was our first trip outside the US or on a small prop plane. From the airport, it was a short van ride to the water taxi – the latter was expertly driven by a boy who looked to be about 5 years old (of course, his father was supervising). We were surprised at how quick the water taxi ride is; North and South Bimini are so close you could swim between the two.
A few days away from dolphin work
I spent the end of last week away from dolphin work and volunteered at the local vet clinic. Bimini has no resident veterinarian, so the pet owning community relies on visiting vets to meet their pet care needs. In addition to wellness visits, the vet team tried to encourage spays and neuters, although many people on Bimini do not yet see the value of this. But, they were up to the challenge and sterilized 14 animals, including the chow pictured here.
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