Today was packed full of dolphins from the morning data collection session to our dolphin encounter and, slightly delayed, swim with dolphins to a lengthy/double platform session where we learned a bit more of what dolphin training involves. It was HOT and humid today – not really any breeze, not really any clouds. But the underwater visibility was really good for Kathleen during her session, and for us to look into the water from above to see lots of activity. And, it was still good when we did our swim with the dolphins in the early afternoon. Our encounter was early morning and we were in two groups and spent time with Ronnie and with Sandy – see the feature photo of Sandy catching a fish with Gizmo’s maybe help. Ronnie is just below. It was fun meeting both of these dolphins up close. And, you can also see out group encounter photos.
Our swim was delayed a bit because some of the male dolphins were slow to leave Tilly – they were very interested in her and needed to be enticed to leave her side. Before our swim, we enjoyed lunch and had a brief discussion about the encounter and some of the things we learned about the dolphins at RIMS and just generally about dolphins.
Once our 30-minute swim was done, we were invited to sit on the platforms in three groups to learn more about some of the other dolphins during a training session. We met a few of the mom/calf pairs in these sessions. Then we got a chance to learn about the different training for research with the trainers and Lenca, Stan, and Champ before they joined the full group in the main lagoon. It was a great day!
And a day that wrapped up with Fiesta night!
Here are our thoughts shared before dinner tonight.
Dallas – Manon, KD, Dallas, twinning? … I guess we just have to take a picture and dance.
Megan – I will die happy now … because I saw Stan. And I lived the dream of swimming closely with dolphins.
Alicia – Playing with Sandy was hands down the best experience of my life.
Erika – A dolphin gave me a kiss and the dolphins left me speechless.
Sabrina – Snorkeling with the dolphins was an incredibly magical experience and I even got to play sea grass with four of them.
Brie – Playing the sea grass game was a top 5 experience.
Alia – Connecting with Sandy and Kami (dolphins) was the best thing about this trip so far.
Felice – Today I learned a few things about dolphin training.
Charles – Freaked out about not being able to see in the water but it turns out I didn’t need my glasses or contacts.
Mario – Threw a piece of sea grass too close to me and had a dolphin in my face. Didn’t do it on porpoise …but we became very well aqua-ainted.
Sara – Sandy feet. Beat by the heat. Until they (dolphins), swept me off my feet.
Winter – Poli and Kami swimming with me, playing with the sea grass, playing with my fins.
Nezi – Today I realized I’m not that different from dolphins. (Sometimes dolphins and people need a break from the ongoing activity.)
Tesa – Having ten dolphins swim right past me is something I will never forget.
Jose – Swimming with dolphins and being in their ecosystem made me closer to this place (Roatan) and the program we are in.
Melissa – One of these damn petri dishes got me sick … and dolphins are cool.
Heather – A very happy place today between snorkeling and dolphins and snorkeling with dolphins and sometimes research.
Manon – Amazing visibility for the dolphin snorkel. Congratulations to everyone for being so flexible with today’s ever-changing schedule.
Tomorrow is more data collection, though maybe with slightly modified views of the dolphins after our incredible day learning so much about them. And, our night snorkel is tomorrow! Until then …
Cheers
StMU M&Ms
P.S. DCP’s streak is alive and well … Winter, Sabrina, Mario won the limbo. Winter, Alicia, Dallas, Jose, Nezi, Erika, Brie, & Mario all won the dance off. Well done!!