A trip of firsts … The wind was still about 15-20 knots and gusting around parts of Mikura. We had 1.o meter swells around Motone and both east and west of Motone. We saw dolphins only around Otaura, but they were just completely not interested. We would see them when they took a breath and then wait another 2 minutes before they surface again … about 100-200 meters away. We were not even able to follow consistently because the wind gave us a surface chop with lots of little white caps. …
Category: Japan 2000
A Windy Day
'takusan shiranami' … again When I visit and spend time in another country (e.g., Bahamas or Japan), I try to learn the customs and meet the people. I have made many friends on Miyake Island, where I lived from September 1997-99. And this summer, I have made several friends on Mikura. I like to share about my research and the dolphins, but also about my family and from where I come. This morning, I stopped by the kindergarten ('hoikuen'). There were eight students ranging in age from 3 to 5 years in age.
Wind, Dolphin ID’s, and
Non-erupting volcanoesYou guessed it … the volcano did not erupt on Miyake, and we did not get on the water yesterday.
The lava seems to have traveled more towards the island to the west of Miyake, Kozu-jima. We still have many earthquakes a day, but the threat of eruption has been downgraded. Residents are returning to their homes on Miyake.
Since the wind kept a sustained 20-25 knot level with gusts to 35 knots (or so), the waves were not friendly. Thus, we stayed in port.
Earth’s Alive
Wind, rain, sea and volcano The morning brought thick clouds and fog, rain and winds. The sea is filled with 'shiranami' – the white caps that mark a windy day on the water. Sailors would love it … those of us who swim in the sea prefer not to see the sea with white. The latest reports from last night indicate that the magma from the volcano seems to be moving mostly underground … that is, under the sea.
Nothing Yet.
Miyake's Oyama has not erupted … The residents of two of the five towns on Miyake have been evacuated to other areas on the island. There has been no lava forth-coming, however, from 6 PM on Monday night till about 11:30 AM on Tuesday (6/27) there were more than 2,500 earthquakes! No new news … maybe on tonight's news programs. Regarding dolphins: We have made a few identifications … remember that aggressive interaction we witnessed and documented on 17 June? (If not …
Eruption Alert
Something different from My Usual Report. I realize this is not what many expect from a Field Report on dolphin behavior and communciation research, however, Miyake is just 18 km north of Mikura. And, I spent two years living on Miyake and studying these dolphins and I still have many friends living on Miyake. An alert for the potential of eruption came at about 7:30 PM on Monday night. So far, there has been no eruption (now Tues AM in Japan).
Rain Again
Life on a Small Island The rain came again yesterday … but after several passengers arrived for the weekend. So, the watching boats are full. The wind was up yesterday afternoon and kept me in port. A few of the shops were closed yesterday, Saturday, for a funeral. The women of the island spend most of the morning preparing food for the funeral. Tables are laden with a colorful array of food and flowers. One treat in particular is called 'anki mochi'.
Resting Dolphins
Long surface intervals, non-interactive. Our afternoon trip for today was suddenly pushed up by two hours to 11:00 AM. The wind and sea conditions were deteriorating, i.e., getting bad. There was an abundance of cumulo-nimbus clouds (rain clouds) hanging low over our heads. The 'Uneri' (sea swell) was 1.0 to 1.5 meters high with a bit of chop on it. Just passable conditions for heading out to look for and observe dolphins. We went.
Analysis & Data Collection
What my days are like. Often folks ask me … 'What is your typical day?' 'How do you spend your days?' To be honest, I don't really have a 'typical day'. While in the field,, I try to get on the water as often as possible … unless I am too exhausted to even put on my wet suit or grab by array. When in the lab … late fall to early Spring, usually … then my day is different because I am working mostly on analysis and report write-ups.
Two Days in One!
On the water yesterday (20 June) We were on the water in the afternoon yesterday. The first two groups of dolphins were NOT interested in us. With long surface intervals they were likely resting. We watched them from the surface for 20 minutes and attempted two entries when a few individuals came closer to the boat.
After leaving this group, we continued our counter-clockwise path around Mikura passing Motone and Yokozukane before seeing the next group … a large and spread group of more than 25 dolphins.
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