As expected, our day began with a boat ride to Bailey’s Key for dolphin observations and data collection. It was a good session, even though the underwater visibility was still bleh! Manon operated the MVA and … Stan ignored her! Sandy, Gizmo, and Kami thought it was fun to circle swim Manon very tightly … and Gizmo even tried to give her a grab, or at least a crab leg! (It was Channel Clinging Crab … well past due.) Just before Manon exited, Trixie and Gracie swam by Manon and Trixie showed off her tongue! (featured photo)
(Thank you to Loro Parque for the shirts and hats!)
The only two not to join for all of data collection were Michael and Mickey because for them today, dolphins were second to sharks. They enjoyed the shark dive and saw 19 sharks. After data collection, we went snorkeling at West Bay. As soon as we entered the water, a Hawksbill sea turtle put on a show. It was picking at stuff floating in the water column and sort of dancing in the water column. After the turtle, it shifted to the Spotted Eagle Ray show where two of them swam in tandem … or staggered parallel/echelon, as Manon reminded us all! (below)
On the snorkel boat, we took a detour by the West End beach (above) before returning to AKR and on our way, we saw the Stingray, shark boat, with Michael and Mickey returning from their shark dive. There was zero competition between boat captains … even though we seemed to be neck and neck as we motored back to Anthony’s Key.
We enjoyed lunch where we swapped stories about morning observations and then had a slow afternoon, some of us packing for our return flights tomorrow. Others of us taking a 30-40 min walk in search of Plata. We were successful (cheers!). Once we were all back, we met in the classroom for a game night event. It was fun! Then we climbed the stairs to ping-pong, pool, and karaoke. Dinner was yummy and finished with a DCP first! A second birthday in one week. Happy Birthday to Michelle … who’s official b-day is Saturday and her b-day wish is to sit very close to her daughter, Kaylie, on the return plane ride home! (Safe, lively, flight all!)
Tomorrow is the last data session for this group and we shift over from our Ecotour participants to our CSU student group.
Cheers
Michelle, Savanna, Mickey, Sue, Bill, Michael, Kaylie, Marianne, Manon, Kathleen