I am glad the parenthetical part was added to this question. It is true there is no typical day for me. My day depends on whether I am in the field gathering data or in my office analyzing data. And, for the former, my day also depends on whether I am in Japan or the Bahamas gathering data. If I am gathering data in Japan, I join trips of guests to swim with dolphins whenever there is space on the boat. We spend about three hours per boat trip looking for and observing dolphins. It takes about 30 minutes minimum to prep my gear for the trip and about an hour to clean my gear and myself after a trip. Then I must log data sheets from the trip. When we are not on the boat, we analyze data — videotapes for dolphin IDs and behaviors. When I am in the Bahamas, we live on the boat. So my day runs from sunrise till about midnight. I like the mornings because most folks are not awake yet. The boat is quiet and I prep the data sheets and gear for the day. We watch for dolphins actively (being "on effort") between 7 AM and 7 PM. There are eight to 10 passengers who help us watch for dolphins in 1 or 2 hour shifts throughout each day. When we see dolphins, we record data and sometimes swim with them and record their behavior underwater. After each swim we log data on data forms … all of our observations and any dolphin IDs. The evenings are filled with informal presentations about dolphins, their lives and distribution and other information about ocean conservation. Our captain also knows all the constellations so we get some quality star gazing in with good weather. In my office, when I am out of the field and analyzing my data I work mostly with my computer and the video logs. I watch the videotapes and log dolphin behaviors on data forms and into the computer. I measure sounds from these tapes as well. I also write reports and grant applications. I also take walks with Umi, my beagle when she decides I need a break!
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