Category: Japan 2004

Today gave us many dolphin observations as well as increasing seas. We had an afternoon boat trip that brought us 5 sightings of 5 dolphin groups and 6 water entries. The first group had a new calf and I believe (need to confirm with two other researchers) that the ID was 301FS. If so, then this calf would be her first! The group was resting so we only observed them twice before moving on.

Our second group was seen by Shinkuzure and was ~6 dolphins mostly: an adult female and 5 sub-adult or juvenile males.

On the water at 9:00 am. Dolphins at 9:15 am, and regularly during the 2 hr trip. I was lucky enough to be on a boat with only two guests, one guide and one other researcher. (The other three boats were full.) The dolphins were mostly traveling or resting around Mikura, but a few individuals were inquisitive and moving more slowly. Usually, the inquisitive and playful dolphins are the young ones.

The twice delayed festival for the kids was finally today. The Dolphin Festival is a once a year event which begins with a beach clean up. Technically, Mikura does not have a beach with sand. But the boat launch ramp is considered Mikura's 'hama' or beach. We spent an hour cleaning up the breakwater area and the port area of debris and trash. Then, we shared lunch of soup and onegiri (rice balls).

The afternoon had three boats taking children and Mikura folks to watch and swim with dolphins.

My field reports seem more like weather reports lately. The ferry arrived with tourists and the boats were full. I met up with a few people who had been dolphin watching/swimming. While the underwater visbility was great (>12 m), the sea conditions were not good and the dolphins not interested in hanging around the people or the boats. I guess I didn't miss much … still, I cannot help having wanted to be out there with them.

Dolphins were resting or snacking on small fish called 'Takabe' Just leaving the port we encountered our largest swell (~2 m from trough to peak), but we also saw dolphins after passing around the new pier walls and breakwater. There were four other boats out today, with three at this sighting. This dolphin groups was mostly adult females with juveniles (2-3 years old). They were quiet and traveling counter-clockwise around Mikura. We saw them twice, briefly each time. But, we saw some body rubbing, pectoral fin contact and even nursing behavior.

More Okyakusan (tourists) arrived. Today went by rather quickly. Of course, since I was in port, I reviewed a bit of video. For every hour of data gathered we have about 20 hours of analysis time. I enjoy that part of the research because it is where patterns become evident: patterns in behavior, patterns in sound, patterns in the scars, spots and other marks on a dolphin's body leafing to its reliable re-identification.

A last minute morning boat trip was offered which I gladly accepted The call came at 7:45am. A trip at 8:30am was offered and I gladly accepted. Luckily, I keep the array ready for a last minute trip. The ECD and wide-band hydrophone batteries needed to be volt checked. The camera manual focus set. The o-rings lubed with silicone. Every cable connected and the ports sealed. I suited up, grabbed all the gear and trotted down to Marui.

I was indeed lucky – on two guests and the dolphin guide, Ma-chan.

Hurray – we have 2 of the 4 videotapes of data complete for dolphin ID confirmation. I went to school this morning, to Mikura's school. I visited their English class and helped with the lessons. Mostly I just spoke some of the lessons so students could hear a native English speaker. But, I also learn because I listen to the comments made in Japanese. Okay, I also worked on my Japanese grammar today from my lesson book too. My sentences are simple and I want them to be more complex.

Typhoon #6 will affect all parts of Japan.So, we are feeling the affects with respect to wind (it has arrived) and waves. They are predicting 7 meter waves(!) for this area off the coast of Japan. I watched for a short time as the waves simply rolled over and covered the pier here at Mikura. The 'fury' of the sea is truly amazing to me.

My morning began a bit early: 4:32 am. I heard a strange noise, like some animal caught in the walls.

An 'In Port' day filled with slight breezes, clouds and drizzle. The sea was still rough from typhoon #6 but the typhoon was losing strength and remained on its course along the western side of Japan. It looks like we'll get only the waves action and some rain tonight and tomorrow.

We did have an earthquake today at 14:40. It originated on Hachijo Island and was a 5.2. The walls and floor shook for about 10 seconds. Then, all went back to as it was.