Increasing Winds, cloudy skies

Sometimes marginal weather can be welcome.

A day in port allows my body to regain some energy and allows my mind to focus on the data already gathered this week. I like to review the video records and add any thoughts or comments to the data sheets when the swim observations are still fresh in my mind. This helps me remember the interactions and observations when I again review the video later in the fall and winter months. I mentioned light meter measures in yesterday's posting to this site. As a brief follow-up, I am using a Sekonic II marine meter to measure the relative light levels here at Mikura Island. I will use the same meter in the Bahamas later this summer. This meter will give me a data set with which to compare relative light levels between Mikura and the Bahamas. Why? Well, from roughly the same amount of data and roughly the same behavioral contexts, over the years, I have recorded more sounds (3 times more!) from the Mikura dolphins than from the spotted dolphins in the Bahamas. It is my hypothesis that the dolphins are using vocal communication more at Mikura than at the Bahamas because the waters are darker with less visibility. That is, the spotted dolphins in the Bahamas can see each other over greater distances; therefore, they might rely more on postural, gestural or visual communication than the dolphins at Mikura. I'll work up this data in October, after time in both field locations is complete. We will post a summary and results to the DCP web site … and let everyone know how this turns out. Cheers Kathleen