Category: Blog & Field Reports

It is amazing how swiftly we can get into a pattern … early morning coffee, plus pastry, then data collection (twice) followed by logging notes, lunch, and then an afternoon dive for Ron and video review for me. This is a pattern I welcome!! And, one we have followed each day this week. Once more tomorrow …

I was greeted by continued good underwater visibility, though there was a bit of freshwater from an early rain squall at the surface. Several dolphins greeted me on entry (see cover photo of Stan, Tank, Champ, Elli, Lenca).

The morning was very quiet and I woke early to greet the day and watch the sun brighten the sky! I also watched an Egret get breakfast before we prepped for data collection. I was delighted by nearly zero current during our first observation this morning. Of course, I think some of the dolphins took every advantage of the clear water and no current because there were rough-and-tumble social groups in several spots in the lagoon at the same time.

The morning dawned calm with a slight breeze and I experienced a mild current and good visibility underwater. I was a happy dolphin researcher! Ron was also happy to stay dry while logging surface observations. And, there was much social activity above the water, as well as below the surface this morning! Of course, Lenca, Stan, Champ, and Tank repeated their fascination with my fins but I was VERY surprised by Ronnie’s behavior early in the first morning session! Ronnie seemed to get agitated with Stan when the latter was pulling at my fins.

It might have been raining topside, but the underwater visibility was great! And, the dolphins were playful! While it’s true that Lenca, Stan, Tank, and Champ thought my fins were their long-lost toys, the dolphins also had fun playing with the seaweed and sea grasses. The current was still there and moving the flora along at a swift pace. Calli, Lenca, and Bailey each tried to entice me to play seaweed fetch, or maybe toss, with them! It was hard to decline, but I did until just before I got out and the MVA was on the platform.

I had a slow morning that was punctuated by clouds, gusty winds from the North, and a REALLY strong current! I woke early to assemble the MVA and prep my gear for the first session of data collection in 2021. Since Ron arrived in the afternoon, I waited to conduct my first underwater session until after the training team arrived and moved dolphins around and fed breakfast.

I am back on at Anthony’s Key Resort (AKR) tonight! It was a great way to wrap up a stressful week! And, my afternoon was complete with a visit to Bailey’s Key to say hello to old friends! Tank was swimming with Bailey and gave me a smile along the way! He has a few new notches in his dorsal fin … maybe from rough play with Stan, Lenca, and Champ?? Speaking of them, Lenca and Champ have grown!! And, Sandy is not the small calf I remember from last year’s video data!

Rarely offered for sale via the website, we’re excited to have reusable DCP water bottles for sale. These 16 oz, vacuum insulated bottles are just $29 including shipping*! Offer available until 5 January, 2021. While supplies last.

*Price includes standard US shipping.

For just $49, including shipping*, receive a Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin print kit and DCP-Edition Dolphin Wanderer Bracelet. This bracelet features DCP’s colors and is only available directly from DCP. Click here to place your order now!

Select dolphins only. Offer available until 5 January, 2021. While supplies last.

*Shipping = standard shipping to US addresses. Shipping to non-US addresses and expedited to US addresses available for additional fee.

All Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin Print Kit, Patron Adoption Kit (print or electronic) or T-Shirt orders received between 23 Nov – 1 Dec will get a choice of one free DCP Hoo-rag or 10 randomly selected DCP trading cards. Once DCP receives your Adoption or Shirt order, we’ll reach out via email (check your spam folder!) to find out your selection.

*Note: Bonus only applies to Print standard adoption kits (not electronic), but does apply to both print and electronic versions of Patron kits.

11 – 16 July 2021

Our research & education efforts on Bimini were effectively paused on Bimini in 2020. But, we are hopeful travel will be safe in summer 2021 – so we hope you’ll join us on an ecotour! A DCP-led ecotour ensures we can collect valuable data on wild Atlantic spotted and bottlenose dolphins. Participants are able to assist as much or as little as they’d like all while experiencing these amazing creatures, the beautiful waters and the character-filled, off-the-beaten-path island of Bimini.