My Tuesday morning data collection session was cut short
because Ronnie decided it’d be fun to be pushy and swim circles around me. So,
rather than reward such rambunctious actions, I removed myself and waited for a
second session later in the morning! During the first entry and the second, I
did check on the SM2M. It was right where we left it (hurray!) and while in the
water I confirmed that the red LED light on the hydrophone tip went on when the
recording was supposed to be happening. Phew!
The second session was preceded by Nicole and me being asked
by Dante to act as guests for a training session with Champ – a 1.5 yr old
dolphin. Dante needed to have a few people near him while he worked with Champ
so Champ could get used to us. He was a champ (I could not resist!) and seemed
quite at ease with Nicole and me near Dante.
The observation session went smoothly – no rough-housing
toward me. A few juveniles thought it would be fun to swim tight circles around
me a couple of times (causing me to get dizzy!) but they also played with each
other. The youngsters include Calli, Tilly, Polly, Elli, Champ, Lenca and Mac.
Nicole and I think we have finally committed their few scratches and scars to
memory such that we can regularly recognize each of the individuals. They were
quite vocal during the session – whistles, buzzes and clicks were recorded
along with some twisty turns and fast swims. All in all, an hour of data was
collected with the MVA2. John mounted a GoPro to the top the MVA2 so each entry
has two video logs. The GoPro provides a wider frame of view but both allow
documentation of the behavioral interactions among the dolphins. 
Tomorrow is another day that will begin with me in the water
at 6:45 AM!
Cheers
Kathleen & the DCP RIMS 2013 team