Our day began as it usually does … with AM dolphin data collection. Our featured photo is a frame grab from the video data collected with the front-facing GoPro on the MVA. The dolphins were waiting for Kathleen as she entered! There was lots of social activity this morning – from the dolphins in the lagoon and from the young and adult males in the back pool area. There were leaps, chases, and lots of vocals. We worked up an appetite and thoroughly enjoyed breakfast. After our AM meal, we retreated to the game room to watch the video because the bulk of the day would be spent at Maya Key, which is on the other side of Roatan but part of AKR. The group photo below is all of us on our way to Maya Key in the resort’s shuttle bus.
We had an awesome snorkel with views of two spotted eagle rays – one GIANT one – and several fish, a moon jelly, and two big triggerfish. It was a clear and fish-filled snorkel. Lunch was a buffet on Maya Key and then we toured around looking at the relics and the rescued animals. Our return to AKR had us get cleaned up and then return to the classroom for the first of Shane’s physiology lectures. We started in the classroom for the first 1.25 hrs and then moved to an outdoor seating area to finish with an informal chat more about physiology and then some other topics.
Dinner was, again, yummy! And we wrapped up the day reviewing Activity Level videos in prep for more space use data collection tomorrow. And, then shared our impressions of the day, below.
Abby – I saw a spotted eagle ray and (moon) jellyfish for the first time.
Anna – Snorkeling was a bit of a learning curve for me, but it was worth it to see all the sea life and there was a curious (feisty) spider monkey that tried to steal my phone even though I was not that close to the enclosure.
Anson – I enjoyed getting told that having a bird poop on you is good luck (it is!).
Caroline – I was mesmerized by all the beautiful sea life we saw on our snorkel at Maya Key.
Christian – Bringing a camera was the best decision I could have made and got many good photos.
Ellie – When floating, I hit my head on the float. When snorkeling, I hit my head again and I met 5 monkeys.
Gabe – I got to swim just a few feet above tropical fish and was left speechless.
Laura – I talked to a parrot, met a jaguar, and swam with parrotfish.
Lucy – It was my first time snorkeling in clear water, which was nice because you can see the outlines of everything.
Nathalie – Snorkeling at Maya Key was the most amazing experience. I never knew there were so many different kinds of tropical fish.
Tasha – Scan sampling for space use data was difficult at first but I’m very excited to improve throughout the week.
Don – Caribbean whippedtail stingray ran into a coral head.
Paige – Drum fish and had a great time diving and getting to know the students better at Maya Key.
Manon –First time seeing eagle rays at Maya Key, including a BIG one that stayed with the student group.
Shane – First time in ten years we ever had a student get pooped on by a bird. Also highly impressed by the students’ engagement in our discussion this afternoon.
Our dolphin encounter and swim are tomorrow morning! Looking very forward to them!
Cheers
Kathleen, Manon, Don & the CSU Bubble Guppies!